Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I major in FAMS?
The major consists of:
Three foundational courses:
FAMS 101: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
FAMS 102: Integrated Practice I
FAMS 203 (W): The Craft of Film and Media Studies
FAMS 101, 102, and 203 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, 203)
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
How do I minor in FAMS?
The minor consists of:
Three foundational courses:
FAMS 101: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
FAMS 102: Integrated Practice I
FAMS 203 (W): The Craft of Film and Media Studies
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
How do I minor in Documentary Storymaking?
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.
How do I get credit for an internship?
- Contact program chair to get internship approved and tell them of your intentions.
- Once you get the internship, you will need an evaluation of your work from the supervising agency to be sent to the program chair.
- 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.
How do I do a Senior Capstone?
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 research 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.
How do I do a FAMS Honors Thesis?
Read the guidelines for doing a FAMS Honors Thesis for more information.