American Studies

For most of us, pageants conjure up smiling beauty-queen hopefuls parading around in bathing suits or glittery gowns. But most of us have never witnessed the Miss Navajo Nation competition - a unique pageant established in 1952 to celebrate women and tradition in Navajo culture.

An eye-opening look at a pioneering program in which victims of violent crimes meet face-to-face with their perpetrators. This documentary, featured on Oprah, introduces us to a process that could have far-reaching repercussions for the ways we approach crime, criminal justice, and conflict resolution.

Could this man be the next President of the United Sates? This incisive documentary examines Rudolph Giuliani's rise to power, his policies, and their effect on the city he referred to as the 'Capital of the World.'

Over 20,000 American soldiers have been wounded in the war in Iraq. This powerful documentary gives a face and a voice to these under-represented soldiers by telling one family's heartbreaking and inspiring story.

There was a time when the Salton Sea was known as the Riviera of the West - a premiere vacation destination for the rich and famous. Today, it's considered one of America's worst ecological disasters. Narrated by John Waters, this irreverent documentary looks at exactly what went wrong.

An unflinching look inside the contentious recall of an immigrant rights activist in California, and the fierce conflict it sparked within the Latino community, between recent and assimilated immigrants, over what it means to be an American.

Why would anyone buy someone else's family photographs? In this surprising look at the world of vintage snapshot collecting, nine obsessive collectors hunt for images/ that feed their fantasies and quiet the voices in their heads.

An acclaimed documentary on American artist Leon Golub, whose politically charged work calls attention to human rights violations and the abuse of power around the world.

The AIDS pandemic in Africa as seen through the eyes of two young girls, an American and South African teenager, featuring the music of the Dave Matthews Band and U2.

This documentary about the people embroiled in and affected by the same-sex marriage debate, deftly captures what gets lost in most news reports, the human emotions behind the headlines.

Since 9/11, American preoccupation with personal security has reached proportions not seen since the Cold War. In this film, we meet regular Americans preparing for the next terrorist attack.

An acclaimed documentary about the life and music of Townes Van Zandt, perhaps one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, who inspired artists from Bob Dylan to Norah Jones.

Nine years in the making, this documentary film offers a riveting window into the past as seen through the eyes of this historic ship and the survivors of those who sailed on her.

We’ve all seen homeless people pushing shopping carts down the street, shopping carts packed to the brim with all kinds of "junk." But what’s actually inside those shopping carts anyway?

Looks at coal bed methane development and its impact in Wyoming and Montana, where people are catching-up to a changing industry that threatens the Powder River Basin.

The Restorer is an anthropological documentary about a Turkish-Armenian immigrant, Zeron Ayvazian, an antique rug restorer, living in New York City.

Middle Eastern standup comics living in New York share their views on political issues and the prejudice they’ve had to endure since 9/11.

Talking Peace takes viewers inside the Jewish Palestinian Living Room Dialogue and tells a compelling story of two sides coming together through the simple act of listening.

A documentary film about the life and career of noted photographer, Walter Rosenblum, covering his work with the Photo League, described by The New York Times as suffused with formal beauty and expressive power and tenderness.

Generation X: Searching for Identity focuses on The Content of Our Character project based at Duke University and its effort to spark conversation about values and leadership among our nation's 20- and 30-somethings – a generation often criticized as apathetic and self-absorbed.