Film Studies Major
The Major Program
This interdisciplinary major takes one of the most influential art forms of the twentieth century and today – film – as its object of study.The field of Film Studies addresses the history, theory, and culture of this art form and asks questions about film texts themselves: modes of production, (including everything from filmmakers’ aesthetic choices to the role of the global economy); historical, national, and cultural contexts; and spectators and audiences.Questions of gender, race, sexuality and nationality, in all of these areas, have been central to Film Studies almost since its inception and continue to shape much of the work in the field. While the program emphasizes film history, criticism and theory, students also have opportunities to explore film/video production.
Film Studies AB Major Requirements |
Units |
Preparatory Subject Matter |
20-40 |
| Film Studies 1 | 4 |
|
Foreign Language: A four-course sequence (or equivalent) in a single language. |
0-20 |
|
One Course in Visual and Popular Culture: African American and African Studies 15, 50; American Studies 1A, 21, 30; Art History 5; Art Studio 30; |
4 |
|
One Course in Gender/Race/Ethnicity/Class: African American and African Studies 10, 15, 50; Asian American Studies 1, 2; Chicana/o Studies 10, 50, 60, 65; Native American Studies 1, 10, 32, 33; Women and Gender Studies 20, 25, 50, 70, 80 |
4 |
|
Two Courses in the Humanities: Art History 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D; Asian American Studies 2; Chinese 10, 11; Classics 10; Comparative Literature 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; Dramatic Arts 1, 20;English 43, 44; German 48; History 4C, 10C, 17B, 72B; Humanities 5, 6; Japanese 10; Music 10, 28; Native American Studies 33; Russian 41, 42. For students who choose a focus on practice and performance, one of these two courses may be from Design 15, 16, Drama 10, 21A, 21B, 24 |
8 |
Depth Subject Matter |
36-40 |
|
Film History: English 161A,161 B, or Film Studies 124. |
4 |
|
Film Theory: English 162, Film Studies 127, Philosophy 127 or Women and Gender Studies 162. |
4 |
|
Breadth: One course each from three of the following topic areas: Cinematic Traditions and Movements, Visual and Popular Culture, Gender/Sexuality/Class, Race/Ethnicity/Class, Production and Performance.A current list of approved classes is available from the program office and from the faculty advisor. |
12 |
|
Thematic Emphasis: Students may complete 16-20 units in one of the two breadth areas not used to satisfy the breadth requirement, or they may develop their own thematic area in consultation with a faculty advisor. |
16-20 |
| Students who complete 20 units and have an overall GPA of 3.5 may choose the senior thesis option (194H-196H) for 8 of those 20 units. | |
|
Total Units for Major: No single course can be counted more than once |
56-80 |
