HRTS 541 Advancing Human Rights through Documentary Media

This course surveys current models for making and using documentary media in the service of human rights practice and activism. Interrogating concepts/topics including witness, testimony and evidence, historical memory, strategic partnerships and impact campaigns, emergent participatory frameworks, and artful approaches to media accessibility, the course explores a variety of approaches to media production, exhibition, distribution and advocacy. Each course module includes interactions with filmmakers and/or media activists in the field via Zoom; exploring films, websites and online tutorials; and critical and practical readings. Students will develop term projects in consultation with the instructor.