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This course explores the art and craft of documentary filmmaking, focusing on how filmmakers use real-world subjects to tell compelling stories. Students will examine definitions of the documentary film, and engage in critical discussions about the genre’s history and evolution in the documentation of realities. The course will survey various documentary styles and techniques, including expository, participatory, observational, and reflexive formats. Through practical workshops and assignments, students will engage with technical skills necessary for documentary production, including research, scripting, camera operation, sound recording, and editing. Students will also examine the ethical considerations of documentary filmmaking and think critically about the obligations owed by creators to their subjects and communities. Through hands-on projects and critical analysis, students will learn to create their own documentaries that balance creative storytelling with factual accuracy and cultural sensitivity.