Documentary Studies Certificate

Program Code: U-DOCST-C
Plan Type: Certificate
Department: Documentary Studies
Website: documentarystudies.duke.edu/undergraduate-certificate-documentary-studies

Program Summary

The goal of this interdisciplinary program is to introduce, broaden, and enhance the technical skills and the theoretical and ethical awareness of students who specialize in one or more of the following modes of community-based fieldwork: photography, oral history, audio, filmmaking, folklore, and ethnographic writing. Courses in this area are offered through the Center for Documentary Studies, and the departments of African and African American studies, art, cultural anthropology, arts of the moving image, history, and public policy studies. The Center for Documentary Studies also houses a number of documentary projects that address issues of literacy, collaborative photography, oral history, and farm worker advocacy that students will be exposed to through their affiliation with this program. A major goal of this program is to connect student experience and creativity to community life. Documentary studies courses teach an arts-and-humanities-based fieldwork research methodology.

Achievement of the program’s goal is facilitated by an integrated curriculum of required and elective courses that allow students to specialize in one or more areas of documentary work, and to complete a major documentary project under the guidance of participating faculty members. An active advisory procedure assists students in planning fieldwork projects and other learning opportunities. A certificate is available for students who complete program requirements. Participation in documentary studies courses, with the exception of the capstone course, is available to all undergraduates whether or not they seek the certificate.

Go to Programs by Department to view all related programs.

Academic Requirements

At least 6 units total to complete the certificate. At least 34 units total to earn a degree.

• Required Courses (2 units)

  • DOCST 101

  • DOCST 480S

• Electives (4 units)

  • Any 4 DOCST courses 100-level and above