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Overview
Throughout the year, the Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) at Duke University offers a wide range of short courses, institutes, and workshops for adults who are interested in learning to do their own documentary work. These documentary arts courses, available through flexible admission with reasonable fees, involve instruction in photography, film and video, audio, and writing. Special topics and such subjects as documentary traditions, techniques, fieldwork theory, and ethics involved in conducting and presenting documentary work are included. The hands-on courses at CDS help adults achieve their goals of completing a first project or refining an ongoing project.

A team of experienced working professionals, including CDS staff and faculty members, teaches these continuing education courses. Most instructors have won awards and recognition for their own work. Many have been teaching for CDS for years and are very familiar with practical methods to help students accomplish their goals. All courses are designed to help students explore concepts in documentary arts and apply them to their own work.

Certificate in Documentary Arts
The cornerstone of the CDS continuing education program is the Certificate in Documentary Arts. Enrollment in the certificate program is not required for students to take CDS courses; however, working toward a certificate provides a more formal process for involvement and for reaching specific goals. No prior educational specialization or expertise is required for enrollment. Certificate students receive special invitations to events and other unique opportunities at CDS. To register, go to: http://www.asaponlinereg.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=27


Check out our Featured classes

Staging History

Center for Documentary Studies
8/30/2010 - 12/6/2010
06:15 PM - 08:45 PM
Mo

This documentary production and performance course will explore the various avenues of staging American civil rights history.

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Portraits & Dreams

Center for Documentary Studies
11/4/2010 - 11/5/2010
09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Th Fr

This workshop instructs teachers how to use photography and writing as a tool for increasing students’ critical thinking, self-expression, and personal involvement in school.

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Anytown USA: Smithfield

Center for Documentary Studies
9/14/2010 - 11/16/2010
07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Tu

Anytown, USA, is an advanced seminar in which each student will produce and edit an 8–12 minute video on a topic of their choice related to this interesting N.C. town.

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Creative Nonfiction for Documentarians

Center for Documentary Studies
9/18/2010 - 9/25/2010
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sa

Whether you want to create a film, photo essay, audio piece, or just vivid, original writing, the overarching goal of documentary work is to tell a great story. In this course, we will discuss shaping and editing the stories you feel passionate about telling.

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