DOC 317 - Global Documentary and Communication

(Same as SCC 317.) Prerequisite, instructor consent required. Global Documentary and Communication is a partnership between the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and the School of Communication, and combines courses formerly taught separately as Cross-Cultural Documentary and Strategic Communication. The purpose of this course is to teach students the art of crafting and presenting social issues through nonfiction storytelling, combining the research and theory of Communication with the applied practices of Documentary. The course surveys a variety of storytelling genres, and delves more deeply into two storytelling modes in particular: the social issue documentary film and the strategic communication plan. Students will spend a week developing two projects at Chapman’s Orange campus before departing for an international destination: a research paper devoted to the group’s social issue of choice and a filmed team portrait assignment, to be presented in class. In the field, groups will produce a documentary about the social issues they have researched and will conduct research for an extensive strategic communication plan on the related social issue. Both will be presented at a final event and screening after a week back on Chapman’s Orange campus. In addition to its examination of nonfiction modes of communication, this course provides students with the opportunity to explore another country and to learn about the culture, becoming experts on some of the most relevant social issues in the region today. Letter grade. This course may be repeated for credit. Fee: TBD (Offered as needed.) 3 credits