Program

The major consists of:

Three foundational courses:
FAMS 101: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
FAMS 102: Integrated Practice I
FAMS 103 (W): Foundations in Writing and Research
We encourage students to complete these 3 courses by the end of the freshman year, but it is not required. FAMS 101, 102, 103 should be taken by the end of the sophomore year.

At least one (theory) course chosen from:
FAMS 220 (W): Film Theory
FAMS 221 (W): Media Theory
(Prerequisite—at least 2 courses chosen from FAMS 101, 102, 103)

At least two additional FAMS courses at the 200-level. At least one of the two classes must come from the list below:
FAMS 202: Integrated Practice II
FAMS/THTR 222: Collaborative Process
FAMS 235: Media Histories
(Versions of the course include FAMS 235: Abolition, FAMS 235: Endangered Worlds, FAMS 235: Race)
FAMS 237: Celluloid Ghosts
FAMS/PHIL 240: Philosophy of Art–Focus on Faces
FAMS/WGS 255 (W): Women Make Movies, Movies Make Women
FAMS/ENG 250: Writing in Digital Media
FAMS/ENG 251: Screenwriting
FAMS/ENG 252: Writing for Television
FAMS 260: Film Genres
FAMS/A&S 272: Film, Media, and Popular Culture in Africa
FAMS 270: National and Transnational Cinemas
(Versions of the course include FAMS 270: Trauma and Testimony in Post-War German Cinema)

At least two additional FAMS courses at the 300-level:
FAMS 302: Special Topics in Integrated Practice III
FAMS 320 (W): Spectre of Race
FAMS/PHIL 345: Philosophy of Film
FAMS 350: Topics: Death on Screen
FAMS 351: Topics: Minor Cinemas
FAMS 355: Cinema is Dead, Long Live Cinema: Moving Images in the 21st Century
FAMS 362: American Cinema of the 1970s
DOC/FAMS 370: Capstone in Doc Storymaking
FAMS 385: Educating the Ear

FAMS 420: Senior Capstone (W)

At least one other elective course, selected from any of the courses listed above or from the electives listed below:
FAMS 120: Filmmakers
FAMS 130: On Bullshit
FAMS 140: Media and Mass Incarceration
FAMS/DOC 150: Introduction to Doc Storymaking
FAMS/ART 105: Sculpture Against the Digital Horizon
ART 155: Digital Photo
FAMS/ENG 116: Film and Literature
ART 255: Digital Photo 2
ENG 231: Journalistic Writing
THTR 270: Design for Stage and Screen
THTR 273: Writing Comedy for Performance
THTR 279: Acting for Digital Media
FAMS 421: Capstone Practicuum

The minor consists of:

Three foundational courses:
FAMS 101: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
FAMS 102: Integrated Practice I
FAMS 103 (W): Foundations in Writing and Research

At least one (theory) course chosen from:
FAMS 220 (W): Film Theory
FAMS 221 (W): Media Theory

At least one 200-level course

At least one 300-level course

The minor consists of 3 required courses:

Doc 150: Introduction to Documentary Storymaking
Doc 250: Rights and Responsibilities in Documentary Storymaking (online course)
Doc 370: Capstone in Documentary Storymaking

Additionally, students complete two approved electives, one of which is production focused.
Read more about course descriptions and requirements.

1. Contact program chair to get internship approved and tell them of your intentions.
2. Once you get the internship,  you will need an evaluation of your work from the supervising agency to be sent to the program chair.
3. Once the internship is over, write a 3-4 page reflection paper about your internship experience and submit it to the program chair; you will then receive one course credit.

FAMS 420 is a unique opportunity, but one that requires careful forethought and focused action by you before you walk into class on Day 1. Here is the course description:

“This required course for FAMS majors is a chance for students to synthesize their course of study into one major individual project. FAMS capstone is a workshop-based experience where students design and complete a significant film and media project that results in a public presentation of their most advanced work as FAMS majors. Open only to Senior FAMS majors.”

Click here for more information.

Read the guidelines for doing a FAMS Honors Thesis for more information.