Courses
Film Studies
Film and video are ubiquitous in contemporary society, combining image and text to create a powerful medium which increasingly reflects us, defines us, persuades us, markets us, and tells our stories. Students all over the country--and world--are majoring in Film Studies: to teach, to succeed in the business world, to enter graduate study, to work with non-profit arts or charitable organizations, to work in media of all types, or to create their own films.
DePauw offers both a major and a minor in Film Studies. The major requires nine (9) courses in film, which complement the other graduation requirements defined by the university, to fully engage students in the liberal arts model. The minor requires five (5) total courses in film. Specific requirements for the major and minor are listed below and aim to expose students to a variety of approaches to film study-- from history to theory and criticism, cultural to genre exploration, production to the final capstone senior project (for majors only) which enables students to focus on a scholarly or creative project of larger scope.
Requirements for a major
Total Courses Required
Nine and one-quarter
Core Courses
FILM 100 (ENG 167), FILM 200 (COMM 237), FILM 429, FILM 430
Other Required Courses
One additional course in each of the following areas:
- Film theory, criticism, and history courses
- Production or screenwriting courses
- Topics courses in film cultures and traditions
Number 300 & 400 Level Courses
4 (including the Senior Project)
Senior Requirement & Capstone Experience
Successful completion of FILM 430.
Recent changes in the major
FILM 429 (.25 credit) was added to the list of core courses and the number of courses required for the major was increased to 9.25, effective Fall 2014.
Writing in the major
As an interdisciplinary program, Film Studies recognizes that writing skills are applicable across multiple disciplines and methodologies, and most require an understanding of specific vocabulary and terminology as well as the ability to summarize, synthesize, and analyze both primary and secondary sources. Students are expected to write in a style consistent with published scholarly and artistic work in the discipline, and will practice writing in several stylistic modes, which could include research papers, reviews of scholarly literature, statements of research methodology, prospectus and proposals, text analysis, and writing for the screen. The writing in the major course requirement for Film Studies can be satisfied either through FILM 300 (Film Theory & Criticism) or other 300-400-level courses approved by the program director, with a grade of C (2.0) or above. These courses promote improvement in students' writing though a variety of methods including peer reviews, sequenced assignments, and multiple drafts and/or writing conferences. Majors are also required to submit a substantial written project of original research or creative expression as part of their senior capstone experience, to fulfill the remainder of the writing in the major requirement.
Requirements for a minor
Total Courses Required
5
Core Courses
One course from either FILM 100 (ENG 167) or FILM 200 (COMM 237)
Other Required Courses
One class from each of the following areas:
- Film theory, criticism, and history courses
- Production or screenwriting courses
- Topics courses in film cultures and traditions
Number 300 & 400 Level Courses
1
Courses in Studio Art
Course Description
This survey class is an introduction to photography as an art form. This course provides opportunities for learning personal expression, critical thinking, and the aesthetics of photography through studio assignments, critiques, demonstrations, lectures and discussions. Students will use both digital and non-digital cameras, print in the darkroom, and learn the magic of chemical photography, while also outputting digitally. By learning the history of the medium students will come to know that photography does not have to be tied to the camera industry.
Distribution Area
Arts and Humanities
Credits
1 course
Courses in Communication and Theatre
Course Description
An introduction to the basic concepts and processes of television production. Emphasis is placed on the creation and analysis of ideas communicated through the medium of television, including aesthetic, ethical and technical influences on message construction. Students learn studio and field production: basic scripting, lighting, audio, camera/picturization, editing, directing, etc. Televisual literacy is developed, and assignments apply the critical skills needed to interpret and analyze visual imagery and television programming.
Credits
1 course
Course Description
This course is a critical examination of motion pictures as a medium of communication. In addition to looking at the films as texts to be "read," this course considers the institutional contexts in which films are produced, as well as the various reception contexts in which audiences see films. As a course in communication, we begin from the perspective that motion pictures are an important and meaningful part of the way we produce and re-produce our culture. Importantly, the course is not only concerned with how film texts communicate, but also how we communicate about films, as both fans and critics.
Credits
1 course
Course Description
A workshop approach to creative story making in the three forms of media. Emphasis is on the relationship between form and content, dramatic structure and critical response. Students are expected to complete a full length stage play, screenplay or teleplay. Prerequisite: Any theatre or film class or permission of instructor.
Prerequisites
Any theatre or film class or permission of instructor
Credits
1 course
Course Description
This course explores global flows of media texts, industries, and reception practices as elements of complex transnational structures. The course may focus on one or more of a wide array of media forms, including print, radio, podcasting, popular music, television, film, and social media. Prerequisites: 233 or 237 or permission of instructor.
Distribution Area
Global Learning
Prerequisites
233 or 237 or permission of instructor
Credits
1 course
Courses in Literature
Courses in Writing
Course Description
An introduction to the fundamentals of screenwriting, in theory and in practice. Students will explore story, character, dialogue and structure as relates to writing for film; learn the screenplay format; and participate in writing workshop and discussion. Prerequisite: ENG 149.
Prerequisites
ENG 149
Credits
1 course
Courses in Religious Studies
Course Description
This course uses major theories of religion in order to investigate religious themes and symbols in a number of contemporary films. In this course we use the screening of a dozen or so religiously evocative films in order to open up a discursive space within which we can think critically about ourselves and the time we live in. In order to do this we look at the ways in which powerful religious themes have been dealt within film. At times the religious themes addressed in movies are overt and tradition-specific while at other times they are covert and universal. Throughout the course we interrogate filmic texts in order to understand the ways in which religious themes are dealt with through the cinematic medium. But we also allow the films to interrogate us! In this class we view the screening of the films as an opportunity for us to reflect upon the nature of religion as we try to come to a better understanding of its place within society and our own lives. The purpose of the course is twofold: first, students learn how to think critically about religion and its place as a social and cultural force in the contemporary world; second, they learn how to apply a critical attitude and critical tools to view films and other aspects of popular culture.
Distribution Area
Arts and Humanities
Credits
1 course