Film (B.A.)
The major in Film prepares students for careers as film/video makers, professionals and scholars who can create, interpret and critique film as a visual and narrative art form. Students acquire knowledge of film history and film/media theory as they gain training and experience in the art of storytelling through screenwriting, cinematography, sound recording, editing, producing and directing. Students develop skills in the planning, acquisition and management of resources and logistics as they engage in the conceptualization, realization and exhibition of engaging narratives.
Additional work at the graduate level is recommended for some of these careers.
In addition to the course work below, students must complete all of the department's general degree requirements.
Major Requirements: The major in Film requires completion of 45-46 credits in coursework as outlined below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 33 | |
| Introduction to Audio-Television-Film Production | ||
| Fundamentals of New Media Production | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| History of Film | ||
| Media Writing and Storytelling | ||
| Editing and Field Production | ||
| Screenwriting | ||
| Techniques of Film and Video Production | ||
| Producer's Workshop | ||
| Film Criticism and Theory | ||
| Portfolio Requirement (select one) | 3-4 | |
| Director's Workshop | ||
| Film, Cinematography and Lighting | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select nine credits of the following: | 9 | |
| Media Analysis and Criticism | ||
| The African-American Film Experience | ||
| Queer Film and Media | ||
| Audio Production | ||
| Television Production | ||
| Immersive Media Production | ||
| Studies in Film History | ||
| Documentary and Non-Fiction Film and Television | ||
| Screenwriting (can be twice for an additional 4 credits) | ||
| Film, Cinematography and Lighting (if not taken as portfolio req.) | ||
| Digital Animation | ||
| Director's Workshop | ||
| Internship | ||
| Allesee Lectures in Media (Max. 3) | ||
| Documentary Storytelling I | ||
| Allesee Master Class (Max. 6) | ||
| Directed Projects in Film and Media | ||
| Total Credits | 45-46 | |
Note: Students interested in Sound Design may fulfill some elective requirements through the Music Technology program in consultation with their advisor.
Film majors are encouraged to take additional film-related courses, offered throughout the university, toward fulfillment of their undergraduate degree requirements. These include, but are not limited to:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ADA 4220 | Time-Based Media II: Experimental Animation | 3 |
| AID 3300 | Introduction to Industrial Design | 3 |
| APH 2400 | Introduction to Photography | 3 |
| COM 4240 | African Americans in Television | 4 |
| COM 5610 | Advanced TV Production | 3 |
| ITA 5150 | Italian Cinema | 3 |
| SLA 3710 | Russian and East European Film | 3-4 |
| SLA 3750 | Polish and Yugoslavian Cinema | 3 |
| THR 4271 | Acting for the Camera | 3 |
Departmental Honors Program
The Communication Department Honors program offers capable students the opportunity to pursue independent study and to work closely with department faculty members. Completion of the honors major results in an honors degree designation on the diploma.
In order to enter the departmental honors program students must have achieved academic excellence in previous work, such as a high school g.p.a. of 3.5 or a college or university g.p.a. of 3.3. Students must meet all regular major requirements including the following: three honors-option courses within their major at the 2000 level or above, taught by full-time faculty members (internships cannot satisfy this requirement), at least one HON 42xx-level seminar offered through the Honors College, a senior honors thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor in their major area (COM 4996) and maintain a minimum g.p.a. of 3.3 cumulative and in the major.