Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Documentary Filmmaking on Social Issues (Face-to-Face)

SOC 3530-01

Course: SOC 3530-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: HSOC
CRN: 11217

Course Description

This course aims to equip students with a diverse set of research, artistic, and technical skills for ethnographic and low-budget documentary filmmaking. Students will learn to strategize for research and effective storytelling, and to film and edit interviews, while completing a short, engaging, socially relevant documentary film in the course. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 or SOC 1010 or SOC 1020 or THEA 1023 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Bernard, Sheila Curran. 2016. Documentary Storytelling: Creative Nonfiction on Screen, 4th ed. New York, NY: Focal Press.

The other required reading is the “handbook” for the course (which covers various tips and specific, practical strategies for filmmaking, editing, conducting interviews, etc.). It is authored by the instructor and posted on Canvas for free. This is the how-to manual for documentary filmmaking that you should read and consult on a regular basis, especially if you are new to using cameras, or phone video apps (e.g., Blackmagic or Filmic Pro), or making films. 

Learning Outcomes

The course aims to equip students with basic skills/ knowledge in the following areas, each one closely linked to documentary filmmaking:

1. Skills in conducting "ethnographic" (i.e., the study of groups and their cultural patterns) research, including how to conduct effective interviews for film

2. Skills in crafting engaging stories

3. Skills in the visual arts in general, including composition issues related to cinematography

4. Skills in pitching a project and managing a project

5. Skills in the practical, nuts and bolts of low-budget documentary filmmaking technology to effectively capture moving images and sound with a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera or your phone

6. Skills in editing a film using the popular, professional editing software program Adobe Premier Pro

7. Skills in appreciating artistic choices including various film techniques and approaches

Course Requirements

10% Attendance

5% Focused Analysis of Techniques in an Assigned Short Film

5% Film Pitch

30% Film Rough Cut (film is at least 4 minutes and starting to gel into themes)

50% Final Cut of Film (5 to 8 minutes) & Participation in Public Screening + submitting Production & 

Promotion Files: Film Description, Consent Forms, and Clip Log (if using archival materials)

Course Outline

Week #1 – Films that engage vs. fail

Read textbook: Chapters 1, 2 & 3

Watch the assigned short film & do the assignment which is due next Wed.

 

Week #2 – Basics of storytelling through film

Read textbook: Chapters 4 & 5

 

*Wednesday: Analysis of Short Film (viewable on Canvas under Modules) is due today

& also work on crafting your "Film Pitch" (due during Week #4)

 

Week #3 – Planning a film project

Read textbook: Chapter 9 (“Planning & Pitching”)

 

Week #4 – Film Pitch week (present your pitch)

*Film Pitch presentations are due on Wed

 

Week #5 – Camera Basics

 

Reserve equipment, set up interviews & schedule shoot days

 

Week #6 – Begin filming

Read textbook: Chapter 11 (“Shooting”)

 

Week #7 – Continue tasks: setting up interviews & recording them, shooting B-Roll, etc.

 

Week #8 – Begin editing in class

Theme: Basics of editing (content & technical/ computer editing)

Read textbook: Chapters 12, 13, & 14

 

Week #9 – Continue editing in class & filming

 

Week #10 – Rough Cut week

Film "Rough Cuts" (at least 4 min. long & starting to gel) screened in class (Mon & Wed, but be ready to present Monday) with the instructor only, so other students can work on editing

 

Week #11 –work on editing in class

 

Week #12 – Continue editing & filming

 

Week #13 Continue tasks: editing, production & promotion files

 

Week #14 – Final Cut due & attend film screening

Final Cut (a copy of your film must be uploaded to the Canvas Assignments portal) & Production & Promotion Files are all due in class on Wednesday

 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

The instructor understands that illness, family demands, and other challenges and responsibilities may make it impossible to complete assignments on time. Please communicate in writing why you need an assignment extension (and sign your name), as soon as possible. If you miss several weeks of class and/ or run into a personal crisis during the semester, you are encouraged to talk to the Dean of Students in person, and bring proof of your situation to the Dean (e.g., a doctor’s note, etc.). The Dean is here to support you, and to validate absences that should be excused by professors. In many cases, the Dean can keep the reasons for your absence confidential. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting. Your attendance grade is based on how often you attend (students who miss more than 2 classes will see their attendance grade drop).

Course Fees

There are no course fees for this class.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.