Film and Media Studies

The Film and Media Studies minor offers students the opportunity to study film and media in the pursuit of visual literacy and creativity. The FMS minor emphasizes both creative and critical thinking, essential skills for success in most any modern field of work or study.

Visual literacy and a deep understanding of media processes are important to effective citizenship in an increasingly mediated global environment. Throughout their lives, students will face myriad opportunities to consume, interpret and create mediated messages. Their knowledge and skill in this area will have important impacts upon the effectiveness and ethics of film and media, key institutional forces around the world. As opportunities to become creators of film and media content continue to proliferate in work and social environments, the theoretical and practical insights provided to FMS minors can offer students advantages in employment and personal fulfillment.

Film and Media Studies is an interdisciplinary minor that explores the historical, political, social, economic and cultural impact of film and media while developing an understanding of production and aesthetics. As a result of this interdisciplinary focus, there are strong opportunities for the Film and Media Studies minor to complement and expand the impact of a student’s chosen major.

A minor in Film and Media Studies can prepare students for careers in film and television, marketing and public relations, journalism, photography, video production, advertising and other related fields. It also provides a foundation for graduate work in Art, Film and Media Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication.

By the sophomore year, students should choose a Film and Media Studies minor advisor from the faculty members listed below to guide them in planning the choice of courses to fulfill the requirements for the program.

Requirements for the minor in Film and Media Studies

Five courses that include the following:

  1. Course Requirements: five courses with the following distribution.
    1. One required course in Film & Media Literacy (ENG 101 Global Film, ENG 142, ENG 248 or COM 235, COM 375, COM 385)
    2. One required course in Film & Media Practice (COM 265 OR ART 256, 258, 260, 386, 388)
    3. Electives: Three courses from the Core Courses list or two courses from the Core Courses list and ONE course from the Complementary Courses list, or alternate courses with approval of advisor.
  2. Students must earn a grade of C or better in a course in order to receive credit toward the Film & Media Studies minor.
  3. No more than two 100-level courses may count toward the minor.
  4. Students must choose courses from any THREE different programs/departments in fulfilling the minor.

Core Courses

  • ART 256 Digital Photography
  • ART 258 Video Art
  • ART 260 Introduction to Interactive Media
  • ART 386 Digital Photography II
  • ART Video Art II
  • COM 235 Stories That Shape Us
  • COM 265 Media Representation
  • COM 375 Media, Culture, Power
  • COM 385 Reality Media and the Ethics of Spectatorship
  • ENG 101 Global Film
  • ENG 142 Introduction to Film Studies
  • ENG 248 Film Theory

Complementary Courses

  • COM 231 Social Media
  • ART 240 Darkroom Photography
  • ART 380 Darkroom Photography II
  • ENG 101 Film Adaptation
  • HIS 242 Hollywood, USA
  • JPN 271 Japanese Film
  • FRE 352 French Cinema
  • SCA 334 Nordic Cinema
  • SPA 280 Social Interaction Through Literature and Film
  • SPA 390 Through the Lens: Film in Spanish
  • T/D 106 Beginning Acting
  • T/D 229 Scenery: Craft and Design
  • T/D 225 Costume: Craft and Design
  • T/D 247 Beginning Directing
  • MLC 265 Exploring Intercultural Relations through Film
NameTitlePhoneGustavus Email Address
Sean CobbSean CobbDirector of Film and Media Studies Program507-933-6085scobb@gustavus.edu
Priscilla BriggsPriscilla BriggsProfessor507-933-7018pbriggs@gustavus.edu
Ursula LindqvistUrsula LindqvistProfessor507-933-7422ulindqvi@gustavus.edu
So Young ParkSo Young ParkProfessor507-933-7398spark@gustavus.edu
Martin LangMartin LangAssociate Professor507-933-6899mlang3@gustavus.edu