MAJOR

The major in cinema studies consists of 40 points, divided into three areas of study. Tier I consists of a core curriculum of five courses taken in sequence. Tier II consists of elective small lecture classes in the areas of film auteurs, genres, movements, national cinemas, television studies, and special topics. Tier III consists of large lecture classes in film aesthetics, directors, and genres. Majors are required to complete five courses (20 points) in Tier I: Introduction to Cinema Studies (H72.0010); Film History (H72.0015); Film Theory (H72.0016); Television: History and Culture (H72.0021); and an Undergraduate Advanced Seminar (H72.0700). In addition, they must complete a two-course distribution requirement in film history from Tier II: one course in U.S. cinema, one course in non-U.S. cinema.

Students wishing to complete honors in this major may apply during their junior year if they have maintained an overall grade point average of 3.65, as well as a 3.65 grade point average in their cinema studies major. Requirements of the honors program include: a) the successful completion of one graduate level cinema studies class including graduate level research and writing; b) the writing of an honors thesis of 40 pages length and suitable quality for conference presentation and/or publication; c) the completion of an additional four-point research-writing seminar (beyond the standard 40-point major) in which students revise and extend earlier work to complete the honors thesis; d) maintenance of the above grade point averages until graduation. Approval of the thesis subject, evaluation of the thesis, and the decision to award honors are made by the director of undergraduate studies and the faculty member teaching the research-writing seminar.

The application for this major consists of a completed application form, a one-page personal statement addressing why you want to major in cinema studies, and an essay on an arts or humanities subject (which can be a term paper from a previous course).

MINOR

A total of 16 points is required for the minor. This generally takes the form of four 4-point courses. The first course must be either V55.0750, Expressive Culture: Film (recommended for CAS students), or H72.0011, Language of Film. An additional 12 points must be taken in H72.XXXX cinema studies courses (or courses from elsewhere in the University approved by the Department of Cinema Studies). Included in these 12 points must be one course on an international cinema and one Tier II cinema studies course.