Film Studies

(Program Homepage)

Faculty: L. Abed, M. Belyavski-Frank, D. Bohmer, I. Csicsery-Ronay, P. Foss, D. Geis, P. Graham, R. Hershberger, K. Howley, J. McCall, S. Mou, J. Nichols-Pethick, S. Tremblay

Film, video, and other related media are ubiquitous in contemporary society. Motion pictures combine art and text, creating a powerful medium that often dominates local cultural discourse, even as it is internationally accessible. Higher education engages the study of film and teaches students to think, write and speak critically about their products, which increasingly reflect us, define us, persuade us, market us, and tell our stories.

In the past forty years film studies has become a significant and continuous intellectual presence in academic and the world of higher education. Students used to major in film as a sort of apprenticeship, as a prelude to going into the movie business. Today, however, students all over the country--and world--are majoring in film for a variety of reasons: to teach, to succeed in the business world, to become managers, to prepare for graduate study, to have a career in the armed forces, to prepare for running large charitable foundations, and simply to try and change the world.

Requirements for a major in Film Studies

Total courses required 9
Core courses ENG 167, COMM 237, FILM 430
Other required courses One additional course in each of the following areas:
  • Film history, film theory or film criticism
  • Production or screenwriting
  • National cinema or genre
# 300 and 400 level courses 4 (including the Senior Project)
Senior requirement Successful completion of FILM 430.
Additional information
Recent changes in major

Requirements for a minor in Film Studies

Total courses required 5
Core courses One course from either ENG 167 or COMM 237
Other courses One class from each of the following areas:
  • Film production or screenwriting
  • Film history or film criticism
  • Cultural film or genre studies
# 300 and 400 level courses 1
Recent changes in minor

Courses in Film Studies

FILM 430. Film Studies Senior Project      1 course
This capstone course will be taken during senior year and will be a culmination of the Film Studies major. With the help for the Film Studies director and faculty advisors, students will design and complete an original project, either scholarly or creative. Candidates will then be interviewed by an interdisciplinary faculty committee.