Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies offers students in-depth education in the disciplinary understanding of film as an aesthetic medium and in the critical analysis of films as cultural objects laden with ideological, racial, and gendered meanings. Students will gain an understanding of aspects of cinematic aesthetics, film grammar, the history of film, cultural contexts of film, and theoretical and critical approaches in film studies. Students who elect this major must complete the following courses, all of which will count toward the 36 to 40 credits in the Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies degree.
To declare a Film Studies major, set up an appointment with the English department academic advisor.
The requirements for film (36-40 credits) include:
- FLM 200: Film Collective (1 cr.)
- Film Collective screening seminar.
- FLM 230: Introduction to Film (4 cr.)
- Basic concepts and techniques of film analysis and criticism.
- FLM 260: Introduction to Digital Film and Emergent Media (4 cr.)
- Introduction to digital film and emergent media production.
- FLM 300: History of Film to Midcentury (3 cr.)
- Traditions of film and media history from cinema’s beginnings to 1945.
- FLM 301: History of Film after Midcentury (3 cr.)
- Traditions of film and media history from 1945 to the present.
- FLM 380: Classical Film and Media Theory (3 cr.)
- Theories of film aesthetics, meaning, and spectatorship from cinema’s inception to the 1970s. Film’s intersection with theories of the other arts including theatre, painting, and photography.
- FLM 381: Contemporary Film and Media Theory (3 cr.)
- Theories of film aesthetics, meaning, and spectatorship from the 1970s to the present. Film’s intersection with theories of new technologies and artistic forms.
- FLM 450: Studies in Ethnic Film (3 cr.)
- Film traditions and/or film makers studied from the perspective of a particular ethnic group, such as Native American, Chicano/a, Latina/o, Jewish, or other American ethnic groups.
- Film traditions and/or film makers studied from the perspective of a particular ethnic group, such as Native American, Chicano/a, Latina/o, Jewish, or other American ethnic groups.
- FLM 451: Studies in Postcolonial Cinema (3 cr.)
- Films of the Postcolonial World, including major directors and trends from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
- FLM 452: Studies in Film, Gender, and Sexuality (3 cr.)
- Study of films by women and about women, gender, masculinity, or sexuality.
- FLM 400: Seminar in Film History (3 cr.)
- Selected movements or traditions in film history. Silent film, studio film, New Wave, or British film.
- FLM 460: Seminar in Digital Film and Emergent Media (3 cr.)
- Seminar emphasizing the intersections of the theoretical and practical applications of digital film and other emergent media.
- FLM 480: Seminar in Film and Media Theory (3 cr.)
- Advanced topics in theories of film aesthetics, meaning, and spectatorship. Film intersection with theories of the other arts and media, politics, and identity.
- FLM 493: Internship in Film Studies (3 cr. minimum)
- Supervised pre-professional field experience in Film Studies.
- FLM 211: Documentary History and Theory (3 cr.)
- FLM 255: Stars and Directors (3 cr.)
- FLM 311: Introduction to Documentary Production (3 cr.)
- FLM 334: Introduction to Screenwriting (3 cr.)
- FLM 335: Film Directing (3 cr.)
- FLM 336: Aesthetics of Film Editing (3 cr.)
- FLM 337: Topics in Film Form (3 cr.)
- FLM 350: National and Transnational Cinemas (3 cr.)
- FLM 355: Film Genres (3 cr.)
- FLM 400: Seminar in Film History (3 cr.)
- FLM 411: Collaborative Documentary Design and Production (3 cr.)
- FLM 434: Advanced Screenwriting (3 cr.)
- FLM 435A: Creating the Fiction Film I (3 cr.)
- FLM 435B: Creating the Fiction Film II (3 cr.)
- FLM 438: Film Financing, Programming, and Distribution (3 cr.)
- FLM 450: Studies in Ethnic Cinema (3 cr.)
- FLM 451: Studies in Postcolonial Cinema (3 cr.)
- FLM 452: Studies in Film, Gender, and Sexuality (3 cr.)
- FLM 455: Experimental Film and Media (3 cr.)
- FLM 460: Seminar in Digital Film and Emergent Media (3 cr.)
- FLM 480: Seminar in Film and Media Theory (3 cr.)
- FLM 489H: Senior Honors Project (3 cr.)
- FLM 490: Independent Study (variable cr.)
- FLM 491: Special topics in Film (variable cr.)
- FLM 492H: Honors Seminar in Film Studies (3 cr.)
- FLM 493: Internship in Film Studies (2–4 cr.)
- FLM 499: Senior Thesis (variable cr.)
- ENG 231: Film and Literature (4 cr.)
- ENG 478A: Literature, Technology, Representation (3 cr.)
- ENG 478B: Literature and Visual Culture (3 cr.)
- LL 250A: Topics in National Cinemas: German Cinema (3 cr.)
- LL 250B: Topics in National Cinemas: East Asian Cinema (3 cr.)
- LL 250C: Topics in National Cinemas: Israeli Cinema (3 cr.)
- ROM 355: French, Italian, and Spanish Cinema since 1930 (4 cr.)
- RUS 250D: Topics in National Cinemas: Russian and Soviet Cinema
(3 cr.) - THR 304: Topics in Acting/Directing II: Acting for the Camera (3 cr.)
- THR 350: Plays as Film (3 cr.)
See the “Film Courses” page for more information and examples of specific Film courses.
Alongside the requirements for the major, students must complete requirements for the University and for the College of Arts & Letters:
- Tier 1 Writing (4 credits)
- WRA 101
- Mathematics (1-2 courses, credits vary, see math website for more details)
- Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH)*:
- 1 course IAH 201-210 (4 credits)
- 1 course IAH 211 or higher (4 credits)
- Integrative Studies in Social Sciences (ISS)*:
- 1 course ISS 200-level (4 credits)
- 1 course ISS 300-level (4 credits)
- Integrative Studies in Natural Sciences (ISB/ISP):
- ISB 200-level (3 credits)
- ISP 200-level (3 credits)
- ISB or ISP lab (2 credits)
*At least one IAH/ISS course must have an international focus (I) and one must have a national focus (D) as marked on the schedule of courses.
- Foreign Language Requirement (credits variable)
- Must demonstrate Second-Year Competency through “202” level
- Certain AP credit, tested proficiency, transfer credit at the appropriate level, or MSU coursework can fulfill this requirement
- Some languages have online placements tests
- See your advisor for more information
- Cognate (15 credits)
- An additional major, minor, 2nd degree, or thematically linked courses as approved by an advisor
- Minimum 15 credits, with 3 credits at 3xx/4xx level
- Experiential Learning (3 credits)
- Fulfilled via FLM 260, though additional experiences are encouraged (see below)
- Internship, study abroad/away, research, service-learning
- View the Excel Network for additional information
- College Distribution Requirement
- At least 30 credits overall must be at the 300/400 level
Most students are left with room for general electives, and 120 total credits minimum are needed to graduate.
For more information about the program and/or your progress, speak with an advisor, visit Academic Programs, and review your information on student information systems.