Major/ Minor | Film FAQ | Media FAQ | Honors Program | FM Catalog(pdf) | Course Description(pdf)
What programs are offered by the Department of Film and Media Studies?
The Department of Film and Media Studies offers undergraduate programs leading to a B.A. degree in Film and a B.A. in Media Studies. We provide a broad range of courses in the production of film, video, print and broadcast journalism, radio, graphics, and new digital media. We also offer analytical courses on the theory, history, interpretation, structure, and criticism of film and contemporary media. Our courses are designed to engage students analytically and creatively with the aesthetic, social, and cultural issues in film and media. The Department also offers a graduate program in New Media.
Prior to 1997, the Film program was housed in the Department of Theatre and Film, while the Communications program (now called the Media Studies program) was housed in the Department of Communications. In Fall 1997, the two programs came together in a new department unit known as the Department of Film and Media Studies.
Who are the full-time members of the faculty of the Film Program?
The full-time members of the Film faculty are:
Professor Mick Hurbis-Cherrier HN 401-C 212.650.3703
Professor Andrew Lund HN 402 212.772.4556
Professor Ivone Marguilies HN 501-C 212.650.3702
Professor Joe McElhaney HN 520-G 212.650.3703
Professor Joel Zuker HN 528 212.650.3477
In any semester, there are also a number of part-time (adjunct) faculty. Their names, office numbers, office hours, and phone numbers are posted in the Department Office and on our faculty/staff page.
Who do I see for information about the Film program and major?
The Film Program Adviser is Professor Joel Zuker. His office is HN 528; the phone number is 650-3477, where you can leave him a message. You can also leave him a message by visiting or calling the Office of the Department of Film and Media Studies: HN 433; phone: 772-4949.
What does a Film major consist of?
How do I become a Film major?
Students must receive a grade of B or better in Film 101 to declare a major in Film. This requirement of B or better before declaring a major may result in the student having to wait a full semester after they have completed Film 101 before the major itself can be declared. You may still register for some film classes without yet having declared a major. The major must be declared in person with the Film Department’s Deputy Chair (currently Professor Joel Zuker). The student must bring his or her transcript, and, where relevant, transcripts from other colleges attended, when meeting with the undergraduate film adviser to declare a film major. Students majoring in Film must also take FILM/MEDIA 151 which is prerequisite for all film production courses. FILM 101 and FILM/MEDIA 151 do not count towards the major. A maximum of 6 credits in MEDIA courses at the 200 or 300 level may be applied toward the major in film. Students must meet any prerequisites for these courses. Courses at the 100 level, independent study, and internship courses do not count toward the major. Students must see a program adviser to plan choice and sequence of courses.
Do I have to declare a minor at Hunter College?
Yes, unless you have a double major or a “collateral” (education, woman’s studies, etc.).
Can I major in Film and minor in Media Studies?
No.
Can I declare a double major in Film and Media Studies?
No.
I declared my major in Film at another college. Do I have to declare it again at Hunter College?
Yes.
What courses do not count toward the major in Film?
FILM 101 and FILM/MEDIA 151 do not count towards the major. A maximum of 6 credits in MEDIA courses at the 200 or 300 level may be applied toward the major in film. Students must meet any prerequisites for these courses. Courses at the 100 level, independent study, and internship courses do not count toward the major. Students must see a program adviser to plan choice and sequence of courses.
Do film courses that I have taken at other colleges count toward the major in Film?
Film courses that you have taken at other colleges must first be approved by the Film Department’s Deputy Chair (currently Professor Joel Zuker), before they are counted toward the Hunter College Film major. When you meet to discuss this, bring the transcript showing the courses you have taken as well as descriptions of the courses from that college’s catalog.
Can I use Film 101 to fulfill a distribution requirement?
Yes, FILM 101 may be used to fulfill a distribution requirement in the Humanities and Arts.
Once I declare myself as a Film major, is there any particular order in which I should complete the requirements for the major?
Yes. You should complete the required 100-level courses before taking the 200-level courses and the 200-level courses before taking the advanced 300-level courses. And you must complete all pre-requisites for an advanced course before registering for it.
For example, in your first year, you should take FILM 101 (or MEDIA 180) and FILM 151 (or MEDIA 151), especially because they are prerequisites, respectively, for the Film Studies and Film Production courses in the program.
In your second year, you should take FILM 201, Practical Film Analysis, because it builds on FILM 101 and prepares you more specifically and intensively for other courses in Film Studies.
Also in your second year, you should take FILM 211 and 212, Film History I and II, because they also provide the solid historical as well as theoretical foundation necessary for other courses in Film Studies.
Your academic career at Hunter will prosper if you understand that there are solid reasons why courses are offered in the introductory-intermediate-advanced sequence. It makes no sense for you to take a hodgepodge of courses just because they are being offered in any one semester. Courses are repeated on a predictable cycle.
Other information:
Total credits: 120
Degree Awarded: B.A. in Film
Requirements for Department Honors: 3.5 GPA in Major.
MAJORING IN FILM
THE MAJOR consists of:
FILM 101 (or MEDIA 180)* plus an additional 30 credits
(I) ANALYTICAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS (12 CR):
(A) Film Style and Close Analysis (6 CR): FILM 201 plus 3 credits from one of the following courses: FILM 224, FILM 231, FILM 323, FILM 323.51, FILM 333.
(B) Film History (6 CR): FILM 211 and/or FILM 212. If students choose to take only FILM 211 or only FILM 212, they must also choose three credits from the following: FILM 213, FILM 230, FILM 344 or FILM 397.00.
(II) PRODUCTION COURSE REQUIREMENTS (12 CR):
(A) Required Production Sequence (9 CR): FilmP 251, FilmP 276 and FilmP 352.
(B) Advanced Production Cluster (3 CR): FilmP 371 or FilmP 377 or FilmP/MedP 316 or MedP 311.
(III) ELECTIVE COURSE REQUIREMENTS (6 CR): From Analytical and/or Production Electives: At least one elective must be a 300 level or above course.
(A) Analytical Electives: Film 214; Film 215; Film 222; Film 222.52; Film 232; Film 299; Film/Media 315; Film 322; Film 324; Film/Media 326; Film/Media 327; Film/Media 328; Film/Media 332; Film 334; Film 391; Film 399; Film 401; Film 402; and Film 499.
(B) Film Production Electives: A second course from the Advanced Production Cluster (FilmP 371, FilmP 377, FilmP/MedP or MedP 311) may be taken as an elective course or FilmP 286; FilmP 299; FilmP 341; FilmP 372; FilmP 381; FilmP 382; FilmP 383; FilmP 384; FilmP 399; and FilmP 451.
*Please note- FILM 101 Introduction to Film, MEDIA 180 and FILM 498 Internship does not count toward the major.