Cinema
Cinema Major
The Department of Cinema develops artists and creative thinkers in cinema. It fosters critical appreciation of innovative as well as traditional cinematic expression. Students learn how to view cinema works in their social, economic and historical contexts, as well as in terms of the general history and aesthetics of art. The production program in film and electronic media is not oriented toward developing mere technical proficiency, but toward encouraging artistic discovery and expression. Both production and analysis courses are valuable to a wide range of students, not only because cinema is a major art and entertainment medium of our time, but also because increasingly our experience and exploration of all areas of knowledge is transmitted through cinema-related media.
Transfer students who have previously taken film or video production courses must present a portfolio of videotapes or films to the program chair for placement in addition to regular transfer procedures. The role of the student in the production of these works must be clearly established. At that time, the portfolio review committee reserves the right to set a minimum number of credit hours to be completed by the student and may require the student to repeat a course to satisfy requirements for graduation in the major.
Qualified students are encouraged to conclude their work in the department by choosing the senior thesis option. The department encourages studies in the theories and techniques of other art disciplines, such as music, theater, painting and literature.
Honors Program
Departmental honors are awarded to students whose senior theses are judged by the faculty to be of superior quality. In addition, honors are awarded to those majors who have completed a substantive body of significant work in the department. Nominations for honors are submitted by individual faculty members, and the final decision rests with the entire Cinema Department faculty. Senior standing is required.
Requirements
The cinema major consists of six core courses and five electives. The core courses give students experience in the analysis of film and video and the creation of personal works in both media. A set of elective courses is chosen to reflect the students dominant interests. Those who wish to stress filmmaking or videomaking should begin the major early enough in their academic careers to allow for the completion of the sequence of courses in those areas.
CINE 121. Experience, History and Analysis of Cinema
CINE 122. Expression and Innovation in Film and Video
CINE 252. Video and Filmmaking I
CINE 351. Filmmaking II
CINE 353. Digital Videomaking II
CINE 321. Film Theory
Five additional cinema courses, at least three of which must be upper-division courses (courses numbered between 300 and 499).
Cinema Minor
The cinema minor consists of three core courses and three electives, for a total of 24 credit hours. Students should be advised that CINE 122 is a prerequisite to all studio courses and may be taken concurrently with CINE 252.
CINE 121. Experience, History and Analysis of Cinema
CINE 122. Expression and Innovation in Film and Video
CINE 252. Video and Filmmaking I
Cinema elective (200 level or higher)
Cinema elective (300-400 level)
Cinema elective (300-400 level)