Films & Events

Course Description
Documentaries have never been more popular–in theaters, on television, and online—and they’re doing more than telling stories: they’re shifting the way we see the world. This course will sharpen your critical eye on the social function of documentary films, examining their role in shaping our collective political reality. We’ll be exploring a broad range of documentary genres—historical, experimental, essay, and activist—and unpacking how form and content work together to challenge dominant ideas, sway public opinion, and fuel social movements.

Expect provocative screenings, close readings, and spirited discussions. By the end of the course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the range of documentaries and their impact on personal political perspectives and real-world policy and activism. (Note: The films covered in this course will be entirely different from the ones shown in the “Subversive Documentary Film” course taught in February 2025.)

The course pass includes admission to all sessions. Passes are $40 for non-members, $30 for Nick & Lourie Center members. To receive the discount, please login to your Nick account before adding a pass to your cart. For Lourie Center Members, please purchase a pass here.

Sessions are from 10:30am-1pm. Dates:

February  3
February  10
February  17
February  24

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Instructor
David Whiteman is a retired USC professor of political science and film studies who taught courses on “Politics and Film,” “The Politics of Subversive Documentary Film,” and “Green Politics.” His primary research area was political communication, particularly the political impact of documentary film, and his research, funded in part by the MacArthur Foundation and the National Science Foundation, has been published in a variety of academic journals.

While at USC he helped establish Sustainable Carolina and the Green Quad. Whiteman is currently on The Nick Board and is a long-time member whose contributions to programming, financial administration, and fundraising have been recognized by the Nickelodeon’s “Lifetime Member” award for outstanding service.

150 min.