Film and Media Studies (FMS)Academic Catalog: 2020–2021

  • Sean Cobb (English), Program Director
  • Priscilla Briggs (Art and Art History)
  • Martin Lang (Communication 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 tele- vision, 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 above 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:

  1. Five courses, including:
    1. One course in “film & media literacy” from: ENG-101 (Film & Society), ENG-142, COM-115
    2. One course in “film & media practice” from: COM-265, ART-256, ART-258, ART-260, ART-386, ART-388
    3. Electives: Three courses from the Core Courses list OR two Core courses and one Complementary course (or alternative chosen in consultation with the program director).
  2. Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in order to receive credit toward the Film and Media Studies minor.
  3. No more than two Level I courses may count toward the minor.
  4. Students must choose courses from three different programs/departments to fulfill the minor.

Core Courses

  • ART-256 Digital Photography
  • ART-258 Video Art
  • ART-386 Digital Photography II
  • ART-388 Video Art II
  • COM-115 Screen
  • COM-265 Video Representation
  • COM-375 Media, Culture, Power
  • COM-385 Reality Media and the Ethics of Spectatorship
  • ENG-101 Reading: Film & Society
  • ENG-142 Film Art & History
  • ENG-248: Film Theory

Complementary Courses

  • ART-240 Darkroom Photography
  • ART-380 Darkroom Photography II
  • COM-231 Social Media
  • ENG-101 Reading: Film Adaptation
  • FRE-352 French Cinema
  • GWS-244 Islam, Gender, and Sexuality in the US Media
  • HIS-242 Hollywood, USA
  • JPN-271 Japanese Film
  • MLC-265 Exploring Intercultural Relations through Film
  • 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-225 Costume: Craft and Design
  • T/D-229 Scenery: Craft and Design
  • T/D-247 Beginning Directing