Front Page | Center for Documentary Studies CDS Spring Celebration Thursday, April 23, 5–7 p.m. Shift your perspective. Join us for our annual spring celebration of student documentary work. Explore this year s exhibition, Shifts: New Expressions 2026, and meet students graduating from our Undergraduate and Continuing Education programs. Enjoy live music from Little Chair and food from Boricua Soul, and enter a raffle for a bundle of CDS photobooks. FREE for all — students, faculty, staff, and community members! about the cent Front Page Featured Courses Featured Course Documenting Resistance on Film: The Poor People's Campaign from 1968 to Today DOCST 325S This documentary course explores the rich archival landscape and contemporary reverberations of the 1968 Poor People's Campaign, a transformative social movement that radically challenged economic… about Documenting Resistance on Film: The Poor People's Campaign from 1968 to Today Oral History and Storytelling DOCST 330S Explore the fields of oral history and public history by participating in a community-based project. Examine a wide variety of sources related to oral history and public history theory and practice… about Oral History and Storytelling Traditions in Documentary Studies DOCST 101 Traditions of documentary work seen through an interdisciplinary perspective, with an emphasis on twentieth-century practice. Introduces students to a range of documentary idioms and voices,… about Traditions in Documentary Studies See All Courses Events Apr 23 Thu Shifts: New Expressions 2026 5:00 pm Center for Documentary Studies See All Events Summer Continuing Education Check out our summer lineup of continuing education courses in documentary film, photography, oral history, and audio. Designed for adult learners at every stage, these offerings combine hands-on, in-person experiences with flexible online options. Throughout the summer, we’ll also host free public talks and community events — stay tuned for details. Image: Continuing Education students complete a spring filmmaking course with Resita Cox. Photo by DaManuel Richardson. about this opportunity News See All News Program Spotlights Full Frame Documentary Film Festival A premier showcase for nonfiction cinema, the 28th annual event runs April 16–19 and will screen dozens of groundbreaking documentaries. about the Lehman Brady Professorship Doc+ Summer Program The newest summer “plus” program at Duke offers undergraduate students hands-on experience working on real-world documentary projects. about the DocX Initiative Literacy Through Photography LTP continues its decades-long work with Durham Public Schools, connecting picture-making with writing and critical thinking. about Literacy Through Photography Support meaningful change through the documentary arts! Make a Gift Today About People Undergraduate Faculty Staff E-Newsletter Directions Education Undergraduate Education Undergraduate Certificate in Documentary Studies DOCST Course List Current and Upcoming Undergraduate Courses Doc+ Full Frame Fellows Program Lehman Brady Visiting Joint Chair Professorship Graduate Education Continuing Education Continuing Education Courses Programs Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Full Frame Fellows Program Literacy Through Photography Doc+ DocX Exhibitions Upcoming Exhibitions Past Exhibitions Opportunities Giving Awards CDS Filmmaker Award Full Frame Fellows Program John Hope Franklin Student Documentary Awards Julia Harper Day Award for Documentary Studies News & Stories Events