82-315 Topics in Cross Cultural Studies - Documentary in Practice

6 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This mini-course introduces students to the full documentary filmmaking process, from the first idea through filming and post-production, using a hands-on, experiential learning model. Students will immediately put theory into practice by creating a short documentary (maximum 2 minutes) focused on the self and the city—exploring personal perspective in relation to urban space, memory, identity, and everyday life. The course combines practical workshops, critical discussion, and guided viewing. Alongside learning core documentary tools—research, ethics, interviewing, visual storytelling, sound, and editing—students will watch and analyze documentary films from the Arab world, situating personal storytelling within broader social and political contexts. Through this dual approach, students gain technical skills while expanding their understanding of cinema as a medium for civic engagement and social reflection.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Spring 2027, Fall 2026, Spring 2026

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