The Film Studies major prepares students to participate in a world increasingly shaped by moving pictures. The major is founded on the principle that the study of cinema and the artistic production of motion pictures complement one another, and all film studies majors perform substantial work in both areas. Through courses that offer a foundation for understanding cinema—and its relation to culture, history, technology and aesthetics—the Film Studies major teaches students to create and analyze moving images, to produce research, and to make art.
Before they are admitted to the major, students must demonstrate their skills and dedication to the study of film by completing the required 9 hours in core courses in film studies with a minimum grade in each course of "B-" (2.67) and an overall grade point average of "B" (3.00) or better in the three courses. After successfully completing the three core courses, students must also submit an application for admission, which will be evaluated by Film Studies faculty. Successful applicants will then be admitted to the major. Students may at any time declare a pre-film studies major (PFST) in order to gain access to the core courses in film studies.
Students seeking an internship course in film studies must have a minimum of 12 hours in previous film studies courses, junior or senior standing, and an overall 2.50 grade-point average. They must also submit an application in order to receive permission from the chair of the Department of Film Studies to enroll in the internship course.
A student in film studies must complete all requirements for the major with an overall 2.00 GPA or better.
Computer Competency Requirement: To satisfy the computer competency requirement for the B.A. in film studies, a student must successfully complete FST 201.
Oral Communication Competency Requirement: To satisfy the oral communication competency requirement for the B.A. in film studies, a student must successfully complete FST 495 or 496.
Writing Competency Requirement: To satisfy the writing competency requirement for the B.A. in film studies, a student must successfully complete one of the following courses: FST 317 (ENG 317), FST 367, 440, 445, 496, or another course designated by the department as “writing intensive.”
Applied Learning Requirement: To satisfy the applied learning requirement for the B.A. in film studies, a student must successfully complete one of the following courses: FST 301, 302, 493, 495, or 498.
Requirements for a Major in Film Studies: 45 hours. The major consists of 45 hours, at least 24 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level, distributed as follows. No course may satisfy more than one requirement or elective within the major.
Core: 9 hours from FST 200, 201, and 205.
Film History: 6 hours selected from FST 370, 371, 372, 376, 377, 378, or 379.
Foreign-Language Cinema: 3 hours selected from FST 378, 383, 384, 385, FST 386 (GER 385), FST 387 (FRH 385), FST 388 (SPN 385), FST 389, FST 480 (FLL 480) (FRH 485) (GER 485) (SPN 485).
Comprehensive Production Practicum: 3 hours selected from FST 301 or 302.
Film Production: 6 hours selected from FST 220 (ART 220) (CSC 220), FST 301, 302, 318 (CRW 318), FST 320 (ART 320) (CSC 320), FST 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, FST 335 (THR 335), FST 391, 392, 393, 394, 396, 397, 398, 399, 418, 419, 493, 495, 497, 498; THR 230.
Critical Studies: 3 hours selected from FST 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 376, 377, 378, 379, 383, 384, 385, FST 386 (GER 385), FST 387 (FRH 385), FST 388 (SPN 385), FST 389, 440, 445, FST 480 (FLL 480) (FRH 485) (GER 485) (SPN 485), or FST 496.
Seminar: 3 hours selected from FST 495 or 496.
Electives: 12 hours selected from courses with FST prefix at the 200, 300, or 400 level.