Film Studies Major
What is Film Studies?
We live in a culture that is dominated
by visual media as our chief source of entertainment and
information. It is, therefore, a popular art forms. Film
studies is at once, a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary
study, which combines the study of film, television, and
video. It integrates the historical and theoretical analysis
of one of our most significant media with the art and
practice of film and video production. Film studies focuses
on the study of cinema both as an art form and as a form
of mass culture. The study of film as art is concerned
with the relationships among film style, narrative form,
and the material practices that shape the medium. The
study of film as mass culture explores the ways in which
film expresses societal values and as a litmus for processes
of social change.
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What are Some Specializations Within
this Broad Major?
Film studies majors must possess the
analytical skills to understand and interpret visual forms
of expression. It requires the rigorous study of history
and aesthetics. Students should have artistic and creative
talents that they wish to realize in a dynamic visual
medium. To understand the creative force of individual
works of art, the student should acquire a broad liberal
arts education. Some students, because of the number of
film and media creations produced within an industrial
context, will also study industrial and business practices.
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What Courses Do Film Studies Majors
Take?
The required and elective courses you
would take for majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
Introductory
To Film/Video Production |
Women
And Film |
Industrial
Film |
Theories
Of Mass Culture |
Classical
Film Theory |
Science
Fiction Film |
Film
As Document |
Television
Criticism |
Photography |
Advanced
Film Theory |
Experimental
Film |
Independent
Film Making |
World
Cinema |
|
|
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What Types of Positions do Film
Studies Majors Take After College?
These professions and professional organizations
illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for
if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly
related to employment than others, however. You should
consider the likelihood of employment after graduation
carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work
in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work
in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you
should determine what the prospects are for this or any
major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by
the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment
in second major or in a minor.
Journalist |
Film
Maker |
Special
Effects Director |
Public
Relations |
Advertising |
Lighting
and Set Management |
Screen
Writing |
|
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Are you interested in detailed information
about the forecasted demand for a particular profession?
Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions
are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you
to search on a particular job, whether listed here or
not, to give you this information.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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Related Links
If you are interested in learning more
about what professionals in this field do and what kinds
of activities they engage in, you might want to begin
with the following web sites. Also check the departmental
web sites of colleges and universities, which offer this
major.
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University Departments to Consider
The following institutions are the featured
institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors
and you in your search for the best major available. They
offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
you to consider.
Other fine institutions offering this
major offer excellent programs to consider.
San
Francisco State University,
Cinema |
For information on options available
to campuses wishing to see their majors listed
on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year College Curriculums to
Consider
Suggest to your two-year college
advisor that their institution's majors be included
to show you their course requirements and unique
resources. Two-year college representatives should
contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
More on Choosing Your College Major 
