The Film Studies major concentrates on cinema as an international social practice and shapes its study as a humanistic discipline. Students take core courses to develop a proficiency in film analysis, history, and theory. Courses in early, multicultural, and experimental traditions, as well as electives provide further exploration in the field. During their sophomore year students choose a focus area in film theory, screenwriting, or film production. Students complete an intensive senior seminar during the last year of study.
Download the Film Studies Major advising guide:
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Major Requirements
Course
English 2263 Introduction to Film
Introduces students to international film history, theory, and analysis.
Take both courses.
Courses
History of Art 2901 Introduction to World Cinema (3)
Film Studies 2271 Introduction to Film Studies (3)
Provides students an intensive engagement with artistic and documentary aspects of cinema. This section has two separate course requirements; Non Fictional (typically offered in autumn term) and Non Industrial (typically offered in spring term).
Choose one course from each category.
Courses
Non-Industrial: Experimental / Avant Garde
History of Art 5645 Video Art (3)
History of Art 5905 Avant-Garde Film (3)
Film Studies/German 4670H Cinema and the Historical Avant Garde (3)
(or approved one-time offerings - will be listed on the semester course page)
Non-Fiction: Documentary
History of Art 5910 Documentary Film (3)
Film Studies 3660 Studies in Non-Fiction Cinema (3)
(or approved one-time offerings - will be listed on the semester course page)
Students select from classes built around topics and voices that do not usually have a place in mainstream cinema.
Choose one course.
Courses
Chinese 4405 China in Chinese Film (3)
EALL 3446 Asian American Film (3)
EALL 4407 The Cinema of China, Japan, and Korea before 1950 (3)
Film Studies 4650: Studies in Regional Cinema (3)
History of Art 3901 World Cinema Today (3)
INTSTDS 4451: Immigration Controversy Through Film (3)
Russian 3460 Modern Russian Experience through Film (3)
Slavic 3360 Screening Minorities: Representations of the Other in Slavic Film (3)
Spanish 2380 Introduction to Latin American Cinema (3)
Spanish 4582: Latinx Cinema: Filmmaking, Production & Consumption (3)
(or approved one-time offerings - will be listed on the semester course page)
A chance for students to deepen their understanding of the roots and development of cinema.
Choose one course.
Courses
ACCAD 3350 The History of Animation (3)
EALL 4407 Early Asian Cinema (3)
Film Studies/German 4670H Cinema and the Historical Avant-Garde (3)
French 2801 Classics of French Cinema (3)
French 4053 French and Italian Cinema to 1952 (3)*
German 3351 Democracy, Fascism, and German Culture (3)
History of Art 5901 Silent Cinema 1895-1927 (3)
History of Art 5902 Classical Sound Cinema 1927-1948 (3)
Japanese 4400 Japanese Film and Visual Media (3)
(or approved one-time offerings - will be listed on the course semester page)
*Offering may be in foreign language; may have language prerequisite
Chosen from over 50 course offerings, these three courses will be at the upper level to prepare students for research in film studies.
Choose 3 courses (9 credit hours), of which 6 hours must be at the 4000 level or above.
Courses
AAAS 4571 Black Visual Culture and Popular Media (3)
ACCAD 3350 The History of Animation (3)
ARTEDUC 5835: Visual Representations of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Subjects (3)
Chinese 4405 China in Chinese Film (3)
Comparative Studies 3607 Film and Literature as Narrative Art (3)
EALL 3446 Asian American Film (3)
EALL 4407 Early Asian Cinema (3)
English 4578 Special Topics in Film (3)**
Film Studies 3660 Documentary Film Studies (3)
Film Studies 4580 Studies in a Major Director
Film Studies 4640: Studies in Cinema History (3)
Film Studies 4650: Studies in Regional Cinema (3)
Film Studies/German 4670H Cinema and the Historical Avant Garde (3)
Film Studies 4895 Senior Seminar in Film Studies
Film Studies 4998 Undergraduate Research (2-12 CH)#
Film Studies 4999 Distinction Project (2-12 CH)#
Film Studies 4999H Honors Thesis Research (2-12 CH)#
French 2801 Classics of French Cinema (3)
French 3701 Introduction to French Cinema (3)*
French 4053 French and Italian Cinema to 1952 (3)*
French 5702 Contemporary French Cinema 1945 to Present (3)
German 2451 Germans in Hollywood: Exiles and Émigrés (3)
German 3351 Democracy, Fascism, and German Culture (3)
History 3310 History of African American Cinema (3)
History of Art 3901 World Cinema Today (3)
History of Art 4015 Wexner Seminar (3)
History of Art 5643 New Media Art (3)
History of Art 5645 Video Art (3)
History of Art 4901 Classic Film Theories (3)
History of Art 5901 Silent Cinema: 1895-1927 (3)
History of Art 5902 Classical Sound Cinema: 1927-1948 (3)
History of Art 5903 Recent Cinema: 1948-Present (3)
History of Art 5905 Avant-Garde Film (3)
History of Art 5910 Documentary Film (3)
INTSTDS 4451 Immigration Controversy Through Film (3)
Italian 2053 Introduction to Italian Cinema (3)
Italian 2055 Mafia Movies (3)
Italian 4223 Italian Cinema (3)*
Music 3344: Film Music (3)
Japanese 4400 Japanese Film and Visual Culture (3)
Russian 3460 Modern Russian Experience through Film (3)
Scandinavian 4450 The Films of Ingmar Bergman (3)
Slavic 3310 Science Fiction: East vs. West (3)
Slavic 3360: Screening Minorities: Representations of the Other in Slavic Film (3)
Spanish 2380 Introduction to Latin American Cinema (3)
Spanish 4580 Latin American Film (3)*
Spanish 4581 Spanish Film (3)*
Spanish 4582: Latinx Cinema: Filmmaking, Production & Consumption (3)
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies 2317: Introduction to Gender & Cinema (3) (previously 3317)
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies 4527 Studies in Gender and Cinema (3)
*Offering may be in foreign language; may have language prerequisite
** English 4578 can only be repeated in the major for a total of 6 credit hours and each course must be on different topics
Students choose a Focus Area as a requirement of the major. Students can pick from Film Theory, Screenwriting, Film Production, or do a combination of any of these areas.
Required Course
Film Studies 4895 Advanced Seminar or other approved course - see advisor to verify eligibility. (3)
If you began the major before winter 2012, please contact an advisor.
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