Cinema Studies (2022 - 2024)
Major
The major in cinema studies consists of ten 4-point courses (40 points), each completed with a C or better and divided into four areas of study:
- Tier I consists of a core curriculum of five courses taken in sequence.
- Tier II consists of elective small lecture courses in the areas of film auteurs, genres, historical movements, aesthetics, national cinemas, television studies, and special topics.
- Tier III consists of large survey courses in American and international cinema (each having a two-semester sequence: fall, origins to 1960; spring, 1960 to present).
- Tier IV consists of small theory and practice courses (open only to cinema studies majors) in script analysis/writing, film criticism, and forms of filmmaking.
Majors are required to complete five courses (20 points) in Tier I. These courses are typically taken in the following order:
- Expressive Culture: Film (CORE-UA 750) is the preferred gateway course for CAS students. Note: Introduction to Cinema Studies (CINE-UT 10) is restricted to officially declared majors/minors.
- Film History: Silent Cinema (CINE-UT 15) (offered in the spring)
- Film Theory (CINE-UT 16) (offered in the fall)
- Television: History and Culture (CINE-UT 21) (offered in the spring)
- One undergraduate advanced seminar (CINE-UT 7XX) (offered in the fall and spring)
In addition, majors must complete a three-course distribution requirement in film history: one course in U.S. cinema and two courses in non-U.S. cinema. The remaining two courses for the major are chosen from CINE-UT or (with faculty permission) CINE-GT offerings.
CINE-UT courses used to satisfy cinema studies major requirements do not count against the limit of 16 points taken outside of the College; in addition, they can be applied toward the 64 credits that internal and external transfer students are required to complete in CAS (-UA) courses.
Advisement
To declare the cinema studies major and/or be cleared for registration for the next semester, students must schedule an appointment with the departmental CAS liaison during the following periods: fall semester entrance/clearance, March 15 to April 15; spring semester entrance/clearance, October 15 to November 15. If a student does not meet with the department during these periods, he or she will be asked to declare during the next semester. Students must also have one year of residency at CAS prior to declaring the major; incoming freshmen and transfers are not eligible for immediate declaration upon entrance to the University.
Minor in Cinema Studies
A total of four 4-point courses (16 points) completed with a C or better is required for the minor. The first course must be either Expressive Culture: Film (CORE-UA 750), recommended for CAS students, or Introduction to Cinema Studies (CINE-UT 10); the latter is only open to officially declared minors. An additional 12 points must be taken in cinema studies courses (CINE-UT), or in courses from elsewhere in the University that are preapproved by the Department of Cinema Studies. Included in these 12 points must be one course on international cinema and one Tier II cinema studies course. CAS students may declare the minor on Albert.
CINE-UT courses used to satisfy cinema studies minor requirements do not count against the limit of 16 points taken outside of the College; in addition, they can be applied toward the 64 credits that internal and external transfer students are required to complete in CAS (-UA) courses.
Minor in Asian Film and Media
A total of four 4-point courses (16 points) completed with a C or better is required for the minor.
- The first course must be chosen from Expressive Culture: Film (CORE-UA 750), recommended for CAS students; Introduction to Cinema Studies (CINE-UT 10), open only to declared minors; Language of Film (FMTV-UT 4); Introduction to Media Studies (MCC-UE 1); or Film: History and Form (MCC-UE 1007).
- Students must also take one Asian Film and Media core course: either Asian Media and Popular Culture (CINE-UT 112) or Topics in Asian Film History and Historiography (CINE-UT 450). One of these core courses will be offered per year. Students may elect to take both core classes, but it is not required.
- An additional two courses must be taken from a list of approved electives, such as Indian Cinemas (CINE-UT 105), Asian-American Cinema (CINE-UT 315), The Martial Arts Film (CINE-UT 324), Cultures and Contexts: South Asia (CORE-UA 503, when the topic is media), East Asian Media and Popular Culture (MCC-UE 1023), and Cinema of the South Asian Diaspora (SCA-UA 313).
See the cinema studies department for an updated list of courses or for advising on the minor. CAS students may declare this minor on Albert.