Advisement FAQ

Who is my advisor?

Look on my UAlbany for the name of your advisor (it’s also on your DARS) and for information about when you can begin to register for next semester’s classes and whether or not there are any impediments to registering, such as unpaid parking tickets.  Documentary Studies majors are primarily advised by Prof. Zahavi or Prof. Bernard.

How do I declare a major in Documentary Studies?
To become a Documentary Studies major (or to switch from a different first major to Documentary Studies), you’ll need to contact Advisement Services Center at LI-36 (it’s down the stairs in front of the library, to the right as you head toward the lecture centers).   It’s recommended that before you declare the major, or as soon as you do, that you seek enrollment in DOC 251 (=HIS 251), Introduction to Documentary Studies. 

How do I declare a minor or add a second major?
The form to declare a second major or add or change a minor can be found online:  

I understand that Documentary Studies is an interdisciplinary major.  How do I know which courses will satisfy the requirements for the major or minor?
Click here, to see the courses not only in Documentary Studies but also in Art, Communication, English, History, Journalism, Music, and Women’s Studies that satisfy major and minor requirements.  You’ll also note that there are two pathways through the Documentary Studies program, depending on whether you enrolled at UAlbany before or after fall 2012. They’re essentially the same; the update streamlines the program. 

How do I find out about courses offered in the coming semester?
Click the attached PDF for info on specific courses taught by the Documentary Studies core faculty. Descriptions of other courses can be searched by going to those program websites, searching the undergraduate bulletin, or searching the UAlbany schedule of classes.

What if a course I want is filled?
Documentary Studies program courses, and those of Journalism, tend to fill quickly. It’s important that you try to register as soon as you’re able.  If you don’t get into a class that you need, contact the instructor of the course and explain who you are and why you need the course.  In some cases but not all, accommodations can be made.

If a course is listed as serving the major or minor, does that mean I don’t have to take prerequisites for it?
No.  It’s important, as you plan your pathway through the major or minor, that you pay attention to which courses require prerequisites.  Some of these, but not all, may count as Documentary Studies electives. 

Does the Documentary Studies program offer internships?
The Documentary Studies program does not have a formal internship program, but we encourage students to seek out internship possibilities and put together a plan for approval by the program director.  Internships (ADOC 499) are 1-4 credits and are graded pass/fail (S/U).  The general expectation is 40 hours of work per credit (so a 3-credit internship would be a total of 120 hours over the course of a semester or the summer).  You may repeat ADOC 499 for up to six credits. See your advisor for details.

What if I want to study abroad?
The Study Abroad web site is http://www.albany.edu/studyabroad/.  Many of the forms you need are available there, in particular the preliminary course approval form. In terms of planning courses, in general, electives (rather than Gen Ed or major/minor courses) may be easiest to transfer in from abroad—but it depends on where you’re going and what you’ll be studying. The most important thing to do is get advice before you go, and be sure to bring syllabi back with you, as they’re needed to determine final transfer equivalencies (which only happens upon you’re back).  These go to the Documentary Studies program director.

I transferred in.  How do I know which courses were counted?
The Transfer Equivalency Database helps determine how courses will transfer from other institutions to UAlbany.  If a course is not in the database, then you’ll need to work with your advisor, the Advisement Services Center, and the Registrar to determine how the course will count at UAlbany.

 Where do I go for information about the General Education Requirements?
The following links may be useful.  You can also contact Advisement Services Center (LC 36, under the main library), http://www.albany.edu/advisement/.

• Gen ed information
• Gen ed course lookup
• Gen ed foreign language requirement and details
• Information literacy gen ed:  Look at classes with an X or V or U or T suffix