The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Documentary facilitates a deep exploration into the diverse and innovative ways we collectively craft truth in story, image and sound. This program utilizes curriculum and faculty from a variety of disciplines including cinema, creative writing, journalism, photography, radio, and television. The resulting field of study draws students interested in a comprehensive education in all forms of nonfiction storytelling.

The Interdisciplinary Documentary Program creates new opportunities for complex collaborative skills, expanding students’ connections to the narrative, technological, business, and marketing skills in the documentary industry. The program facilitates creative collaboration and interactivity between Columbia College students, faculty, alumni and industry professionals in all facets of documentary processes, practices and studies. Undergraduates who successfully complete the program will have a wide knowledge of documentary theory and practice and a portfolio of nonfiction work that spans disciplines and media formats. This program aims to prepare graduates to work in a world that is already converged, where the expectation is that media makers are adept, flexible, skilled in multiple areas, and able to work with others who are similarly trained.

The program’s courses are based on a three-level approach: a core that includes methods and concepts from each discipline, followed by a series of electives at the intermediate and advanced level that allow students to sample various fields while exploring more deeply in a specific area. A capstone experience brings together the various disciplines to work on a high-level research intensive interdisciplinary nonfiction project.

Program Requirements