ENGL 29
The Observer, The Subject, and The Audience
Winter 2025
Class Details
In his book The Peregrine, British naturalist J.A. Baker suggests that obsession and loss of self is required for anyone looking to capture truth: “the hunter must become the thing he hunts.” This class will explore the practice of observation, with a focus on documentary film and nonfiction literature. What are the methods and strategies? What are the ethics and the cultural implications? Through film viewings and readings, students will gain an understanding of narrative styles, while discussing how ethical, practical, and aesthetic choices influence the relationship with both the subject and the intended audience. Work will include six to eight hours of weekly viewing, and a similar amount of reading.
The Class:
Format: lecture
Limit: 16
Expected: NA
Class#: 1136
Grading: pass/fail only
Limit: 16
Expected: NA
Class#: 1136
Grading: pass/fail only
Requirements/Evaluation:
Paper(s) or report(s); Presentation(s); Creative project(s)
Prerequisites:
None.
Enrollment Preferences:
English majors. Seniority.
Unit Notes:
Phil Wall '07 is an award-winning filmmaker known for "The Standard" (2020) and "The Book Keepers" (2022). He lives in Brooklyn, NY, where he works on independent and commercial narrative content.
Materials/Lab Fee:
$85
Attributes:
EXPE Experiential Education Courses
SLFX Winter Study Self-Expression
SLFX Winter Study Self-Expression
Class Grid
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ENGL 29 - 01 (W) LEC Observer and Subject
ENGL 29 - 01 (W) LEC Observer and SubjectCancelled1136CancelledNone