Major in Cinema Studies
Please note that this constitutes the official description of the Major. If you have questions concerning requirements you should always reach out to the Program Director or Undergraduate Director, rather than relying on Degree Navigator.
The interdisciplinary Major in Cinema Studies consists of eleven courses, completed with a grade of C or better, and with a minimum of five courses at the 300 level or above. Majors choose one of two options: “History and Theory” or “Production and Criticism.”
All majors must complete the following core requirements:
- Two introductory courses, Introduction to Film I, and Introduction to Film II (01:175:201 and 01:175:202). These courses are offered every year; generally, Intro I is offered in the fall, and Intro II is offered in the spring. Close Readings of Cinema (01:175:210 OR 01:354:210), offered occasionally, may be substituted for either 01:175:201 or 202.
- Three electives, from among the courses listed on the Cinema Studies preregistration flyer each semester and posted to the website, among other courses approved by the Program Director or Undergraduate Director. Courses counting as electives are offered every semester.
- The Senior Seminar in Cinema Studies (01:175:425). Seminar: Film Theory (01:175:420) may be substituted for 01:175:425, but ONLY if it is not being used for the Theory requirement for the "History and Theory" option. The Senior Seminar is offered every year, generally in the spring. Seminar: Film Theory is generally offered every year in the fall.
Five additional courses are required for each option.
Options within the Major
A. “History and Theory” Option
In addition to the courses required of all majors, students pursuing this option must complete the following:
- Two survey courses: American Cinema I (01:175:315) and American Cinema II (01:175:316) OR World Cinema I (01:175:320) and World Cinema II (01:175:321). Each of these courses is generally offered once a year; they do not need to be taken in order.
- Two courses in Non-US Cinemas. These courses are frequently cross-listed under 01:175:377, Topics in World Cinema (which may be taken multiple times so long as the topic is different). There are qualifying courses offered every year and typically every semester, such as (among others):
- 01:175:321: World Cinema II. This course will not double count if it is used to satisfy the survey requirement.
- 01:175:349: Contemporary German and European Cinema
- 01:013:365: Bollywood
- 01:420:305: The French Film in English
- 01:420:306/01:175:306: Modern French Cinema
- 01:420:371, 372: Topics in French Cinema
- 01:420:471, 472: Advanced Topics in French Cinema
- 01:470:360: Classics of German Cinema
- 01:560:345: Classics of Italian Cinema
- 01:560:346: Contemporary Italian Cinema
- 01:940:345: Spanish Film in English
- 01:940:347: Latin American Cinema in English
- One Theory course: Seminar: Film Theory (01:175:420). This course is offered each year, typically in the fall. Occasionally other theory courses are offered that may substitute for 420; they are advertised on the preregistration flyer.
Students may include as electives additional courses listed as Non-US or Theory, if they are not used to fulfill core or option requirements.
B. “Production and Criticism” Option
In addition to the courses required of all Cinema Studies majors, students pursuing this option must complete the following:
- Two Survey courses: World Cinema I (01:175:320) and World Cinema II (01:175:321). Each of these courses is generally offered once a year; they do not need to be taken in order.
- One course in Auteur and Genre Studies; there are qualifying courses offered at least once a year and often every semester, such as:
- 01:175:322 Science Fiction Film
- 01:175:350 Major Filmmakers I
- 01:175:351 Major Filmmakers II
- 01:175:352 Hitchcock and Beyond
- 01:175:370 Film Genres (may be taken more than once if the topic is different)
- 01:175:377 (ONLY when topic is "The Artivism of Global Women Filmmakers")
- 01:175:390 Global Horror
- 01:354:360 Film Noir
- 01:354:371 Film Melodrama
- 01:560:320 Mafia Movies: Approaches to Genre in Italian and American Film
- Two production courses. These may be selected from among the Mason Gross BFA in Filmmaking courses offered every semester, linked on this website (but ONLY the in-person courses; the online courses do not count for CS credit). The following "Writers House" courses offered through the English Department may also count for CS production credit. Please note that all declared CS majors and minors may send an email (to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) to request a prerequisite override to register for these courses:- 01:351:303 Creative Writing: Screenwriting for Film
- 01:351:308 (ONLY when topic is “Experimental Filmmaking”)
- 01:351:309 Creative Writing: Digital Composition
Cinema Studies students are encouraged to complete other courses in film analysis, history, or theory before enrolling in a filmmaking/production course.
Students may include as electives additional production courses, or courses listed as Non-US, Auteur/Genre, or Theory, if they are not used to fulfill core or option requirements.
Additional Information
A flyer listing qualifying courses is circulated during each preregistration period, and posted along with course descriptions on the program’s website.
Cinema Studies courses generally include an additional mandatory weekly meeting time for screenings, or require students to view films outside of class via streaming.
Transfer students and Study-Abroad students must obtain approval of courses for the Major from the Program Director or Undergraduate Director.