Film Major/Minor | Media Major/Minor | Graduating with Honors | Courses
Film Program Faculty (full time): Michael Gitlin, Andrew Lund, Ivone Margulies, Joe McElhaney, Anna Sang Park.
The Department of Film & Media Studies’ Film Major combines theoretical perspectives and practical production experience to provide students with a thorough understanding of the media and of their creative potential as media makers.
The Film major provides two concentration track options:
- Film Production Track (36 cr.) (.pdf download)
A program of informed practice where students take an equal balance of hands-on film production courses and analytical courses. - Film Analysis and Criticism Track (36 cr.) (.pdf download)
A film studies program with coursework evenly divided between film history, film style and close analysis, and courses devoted to issues of genre, theory and representation,
Both tracks consist of a broad range of required and elective courses allowing students to customize their program somewhat, according to their interests. Both tracks also offer the option of a capstone project (thesis film, thesis screenplay or analytical thesis) which can be used to earn departmental honors if the student qualifies.
The film program also provides opportunities for students seeking a film minor and for students who wish to follow a film track as a double major.
The film production track is a program of informed practice where students are required to take an equal balance of film production courses (hands-on production, directing, and screenwriting), and analytical film courses (criticism, aesthetics, and history).
Credit Distribution Summary (36 total credits):
- 6 cr. Introductory Courses (pre-requisites)
- 12 cr. Production Requirements
- 12 cr. Analytical Requirements
- 6 cr. Electives (from Production or Analytical options)
Production courses have the prefix FILMP or FILPL; Analytical courses have the prefix FILM
I. Introductory Courses (6 credits)
- FILM 10100: Introduction to Cinema
- FILMP 16000: Media and Film in a Digital Age 2
II. Production Course Requirements (12 credits)
(9cr. Required Sequence; 3cr. Advanced Production)
- A. Required Production Sequence: 9 cr.
- FILMP 25100: Film Production I
- FILPL 27600: Screen Writing I – The Short (W)
- FILMP 35200: Film Production II
- B. Advanced Production options: 3 cr.
- FILMP 260: Introduction to 2D Animation
- FILMP 365: 3D Virtual Environments
- FILMP 366: 3D Character Animation
- FILMP 37100: Screen Directing I
- FILPL 37700: Screen Writing II (W)
- FILPL 37800: Writing for TV (W)
- FILMP/MEDP 31600: Experimental Modes of Production
- MEDP 31100: Directing Documentary Video Production
III. Analytical Course Requirements (12 credits)
(6cr. from Film Style and Analysis; 6 cr. from History)
- A. Film Style and Close Analysis: 6 credits
- FILM 20100: Close Film Analysis
And...
- Choose one course from the following:
- FILM 22400: Cinematic Space
- FILM 23100: Studies of Selected Directors (may be repeated for credit under different topic)
- FILM 32300: Film Technology and Aesthetic Theory (may be repeated for credit under different topic)
- FILM 323.51: Aesthetics of Film Sound
- FILM 32400: Narrative Strategies
- FILM 33300: Styles and Theories of Film Acting
- FILM 33400: Theatricality and the Presentation of Self
- FILM 20100: Close Film Analysis
- B. Film History options: 6 cr.
One course (3 cr.) must be from 300-level options- FILM 21100: Film History I
- FILM 21200: Film History II
- FILM 21300: National Cinema (may be repeated for credit under different subject)
- FILM 344: History of Cinematography
- FILM 39700: Topics in Film History (may be repeated for credit under a different subject)
IV. Elective Course Requirements (6 credits):
Two elective courses from either the Production or Analytical options. At least one elective must be a 300-level or above.
- A. Film Production Electives:
You may choose courses from the advanced production options.- FILMP 37100: Screen Directing I
- FILM 37700: Screen Writing II (W)
- FILPL 37800: Writing for TV (W)
- MEDP 31100: Directing Documentary Video Production
- FILMP 28600: Sound for Film and Video
- FILMP 31600: Experimental Modes Of Production
- FILMP 34100: Producing the Film
- FILMP 37200: Screen Directing II
- FILMP 38100: Techniques of Cinematography
- FILMP 38200: Narrative Editing
- FILMP 38300: Sound Design
- FILMP 38400: Film and Video Production
- FILMP 39900: Special Topics in Advanced Film Practice
- FILMP 45100: Film and Video Production Seminar (by application and permission of instructor) (see "Production Thesis and Honors Options" below)
- B. Analytical Electives:
- FILM 214: Multicultural Perspectives in Cinema
- FILM 21500: Women and Film
- FILM 22200: Topics in Genre Studies
- FILM 22700/MEDIA 22700: Representations of Race
- FILM 23000: Movies in American Culture
- FILM 32300: Experimental Film and Video
- FILM 29900: Special Topics in Film (may be repeated for credit under different topic)
- FILM 31500/MEDIA 31500: Nonfiction Film and Video
- FILM 32200: Contemporary Film Theory
- FILM 32400: Narrative Strategies
- FILM 32600/MEDIA 32600: America in American Film and Video
- FILM 33200/MEDIA 33200: Myths and Images in the Media
- FILM 33400: Theatricality and Presentation of Self
- FILM 39100: Problems in Film Research
- FILM 39900: Studies in Film
- C. Electives that do not Count Toward the Major:
- FILMP 39800: Internship
- FILM 40100: Independent Research
- FILM 40200: Honors Project
(see "Production Thesis and Honors Options" below) - FILM 49900: Advanced Analytical Seminar
Production Thesis and Honors Options
Students who fulfill all necessary requirements may opt to produce a creative production thesis project in the course FilmP 451: Film and Video Production Seminar. The production thesis project may be a film (narrative, documentary, hybrid, or experimental) or a screenplay (feature length or TV Series). Interested students must apply to the Film and Video Production Seminar course with a project proposal – this course requires proposal approval and permission of the instructor to register.
Film and Video Production Seminar can be used as partial fulfillment of the elective course requirement, or it can be an added onto the program's 36 credits.
The production thesis may also be submitted for departmental honors if you qualify in all other respects. To qualify for departmental honors in Film & Media Studies, a student must have a 3.5 grade point average in major courses and a 3.0 grade point average overall. The student must also receive a grade of A in the course.
Please see the "Honors, Production Thesis, and Advanced Study" tab on the Departmental website for more information and details."
If a student prefers to engage primarily with theory, film history and aesthetics they should opt for a strictly analytical track in film studies.
The Film analysis and Criticism track will consist of 3 categories of courses evenly divided between history courses, film style and close analysis, and courses devoted to issues of genre, theory and representation, thereby strengthening the theoretical and social content of the analytical component. The film analytical track would require 6 media analytical credits, leading
to a total film analytical major of 36 credits.
Production courses have the prefix FILMP or FILMPL; Analytical courses have the prefix FILM.
I. Introductory Courses: 6 credits
- FILM 10100
- MEDIA 18000
II. Analytical Course Requirements: 18 credits
-
- A. Film Style and Close Analysis: 6 credits
- FILM 20100: Close Film Analysis
Plus one course from the following: - FILM 22400: Cinematic Space
- FILM 23100: Studies of Selected Directors (may be repeated for credit under different topic)
- FILM 32300: Film Technology and Aesthetic Theory (may be repeated for credit under different topic)
- FILM 323.51: Aesthetics of Film Sound
- FILM 32400: Narrative Strategies
- FILM 33300: Styles and Theories of Film Acting
- FILM 33400: Theatricality and the Presentation of Self
- FILM 20100: Close Film Analysis
- A. Film Style and Close Analysis: 6 credits
-
- B. Film History: 6 credits
One course: 3 credits must be a 300-level course.- FILM 21100: Film History I
- FILM 21200 Film History II
- FILM 21300: National Cinema (may be repeated for credit under different subject)
- FILM 344: History of Cinematography
- FILM 39700: Topics in Film History (may be repeated for credit under different subject)
- B. Film History: 6 credits
-
- C. Genre, Theory and Forms of Representation: 6 credits
- FILM 21400: Multicultural Perspectives in Cinema
- FILM 21500: Women and Film (may be repeated for credit under a different subject)
- FILM 22200: Topics in Genre Studies
- FILM 222.52: Topics in Genre Studies: The Woman’s Film of the 1940s
- FILM22300/MEDIA 29600: Topics in LGBTQ Film and Media
- FILM22700/MEDIA 22700: Representations of Race
- FILM23000/MEDIA 23000: Movies in American Culture
- FILM 23200: Experimental Film and Video
- FILM31500/MEDIA 31500: Nonfiction Film and Video
- FILM 32200: Contemporary Film Theory
- FILM32600/MEDIA 32600: America in American Film and Video
- FILM32800/MEDIA 32800: Images of Resistance in the Developing World
- C. Genre, Theory and Forms of Representation: 6 credits
III. Media: 6 credits from any 2 MEDIA or FILM/MEDIA ANALYTICAL COURSES
Students should choose two media analytical courses based on their own particular interests and how they would like such courses to be integrated into their film analytical track. Courses cross-listed as film/media (included those listed above) will fulfill these credits if taken under the MEDIA course number. You may also consult with the film advisor on this matter.
IV. Electives: 6 credits.
At least one elective course should be a 300- level FILM analytical course.
- _____________
- _____________
Special Topics, Honors, and Advanced Studies (optional electives)
- FILM 39100: Problems in Film Research
- FILM 39900: Studies in Film
- FILM 40100: Independent Research
- FILM 40200: Honors Project
- FILM 49900: Advanced Analytical Seminar
Major 30
Sub-total 30
Electives 6
Total credits required 36
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
Analytical Honors
Students seeking Honors in the area of film analysis must complete their Honors Project through FILM 40200 or MEDIA 40200.
To qualify for departmental honors, a student must have a 3.5 grade point average in major courses and a 3.0 grade point average overall.
To register for Honors Project FILM 40200 or MEDIA 40200 a student must submit a Honors Project Proposal and also have a full time faculty sponsor. The sponsor will help the student prepare the project proposal and will guide them through the completion of the project.
The Honors Project Proposal must be approved first by the faculty sponsor and then by the Department Policy and Curriculum Committee.
To gain Honors credit, the student must receive a grade of A when the project is completed.
Please go to the Honors Program tab on the Departmental website for more information, details and proposal deadlines.
Production Thesis for Film and Media Majors (with or without honors credit)
Students who fulfill all necessary requirements may opt to produce a creative production thesis project in the course FilmP 451/MEDP 401.75: Film and Video Production Seminar.
The Film and Media Production Seminar is a yearlong intensive production course in which students complete an advanced short film project; the project can be documentary, narrative or experimental in nature. A limited number of single semester projects may be allowed if they sufficiently narrow in scope and/or if significant preproduction has been accomplished before applying. Screenplays (feature length or TV series) are also allowed as one semester projects.
Film and Video Production Seminar can be used as partial fulfillment of the elective course requirement, or it can be additional to the program’s 36 credits.
Application Process for Film and Video Production Seminar
Admission is by application only and selections are determined by faculty committee.
- Students must have taken all required courses for their particular thesis mode (narrative, documentary, or screenwriting) before applying.
- Students must submit a link to sample work.
- Students may apply and enroll individually (sole creator) or as a creative team (principle creative personnel) for a single project. Applying as a team is especially encouraged for narrative film projects.
Specific requirements and deadlines are listed on the production seminar application form at these links: information (pdf) and application (online form).
Production Thesis for Honors Credit
All media production or screenwriting thesis projects intended for Honors credit must be accomplished through course FilmP 451/MEDP 401.75: Film and Video Production Seminar. The department does not allow film production projects or screenplays through Film/Media 402: Honors Project course, which is for analytical projects only.
Two semester production projects and one semester screenplay projects are eligible for departmental honors. One semester production projects may be eligible for honors credit but require justification on your application.
For a production thesis to be considered for departmental honors you must qualify for honors in all other respects. To qualify for departmental honors in Film and Media Studies, a student must have a 3.5 grade point average in major courses and a 3.0 grade point average overall. The student must also receive a grade of A in the production seminar course (both semesters). You must clearly indicate on your application form if you are taking the course for honors credit.
Specific requirements and deadlines are listed on the production seminar application form at these links: information (pdf) and application (online form).
MINOR IN FILM:
- Students who wish to minor in Film must complete a total of 15 credits in addition to Film 101, which is a prerequisite for all Film courses.
- Prior to declaring a Film Minor, students must take FILM 101.
- Film Minors must then enroll in any 200-level history course. FILM 101 is the prerequisite for both courses.
- Once Film Minors complete this film history requirement, they must take two classes from the 200-level (6 crs. total) and two classes from the 300-level (6 crs. total).
- No film production classes (designated FILMP) are available to Film Minors.
- FILPL 27600 - Screen Writing I - The Short (W) and FILPL 37700 - Screen Writing II The Feature (W) may be taken, however students must satisfy all prerequisites to register for these courses.
- Internships and Independent studies do not count towards the minor.
- Electives: All courses in the department may be taken toward a minor or as electives by students with majors in other departments, provided that the necessary prerequisites have been met. In certain circumstances these prerequisites can be waived with permission of the instructor.
- Students may major in Media Studies and minor if Film, and vice versa.
DOUBLE MAJORS
Students may choose to complete a major in the Film Program (production or analytical) and a second major in another department. However, a student who is a media major cannot declare a double major in film and vice versa. Because of the intensive nature of the production courses in both Film and Media Studies, it is recommended that all students take no more than two production courses per semester.
