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CINEMA STUDIES MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Film study, like the study of the novel, plays, or poetry, requires analysis
of a text procured by a culture and by its many authors. Therefore, literature
and the cinema have become intertwined as academic disciplines, with
the scholarly advances in one adding to our understanding of the other.
Because of this link between film and literature, the Department of Literature
offers a wide variety of courses in Cinema Studies, including national
cinemas, film authors, film genres, the avant-garde and documentary.
Students interested in cinema studies should take advantage of the exceptionally
strong collection of films on DVD, laserdisc and videotape located
at the Media Library in the basement of Bender
Library. Moreover, the AU
library has a particularly strong collection of books on film. The
production
equipment and opportunities available to cinema studies students through
the School of Communication is among the best in the area, and the
minor provides opportunities to combine theory with practice.
Cinema studies students can also gain excellent experience through
internships with a variety of local production companies and filmmakers.
In the Metro
DC area, there are a number of cable and television production companies
(such as The Discovery Channel and PBS), along with many independent
and industrial filmmakers. Cinema Studies also provides important
preparation for non-film professions such as advertising, public relations
and
graphic design.
Students who wish to minor in Cinema Studies must complete a minimum
of 24 semester hours in Cinema Studies (with a grade of C or better).
The requirements are:
Both of the following:
-
COMM 105: Visual Literacy (3 credits)
-
LIT 135: Critical Approach to the Cinema (3 credits)
12 credit hours from the following:
-
LIT 346: Topics in Film (3 credits): PLEASE NOTE: Students
may repeat this course up to four times, as long as the course titles are
unique. Courses
offered at this level include: National Cinemas, Popular
Film Genres, Film and
Literature, Major Filmmakers, Independent Filmmakers, etc.
-
LIT 402: Creative Writing: Film Script (3 credits)
6 credit hours from the School of Communication—either
of the following 2-course tracks:
- A 2-course production sequence: COMM 330 (Basic Photography, 3
credits) and COMM 331 (Film and Video Production, 3
credits); or
-
2 of the following film history courses:
-
COMM 511: History of Documentary (3 credits)
-
COMM 512: Social Documentary (3 credits)
-
COMM 517: History of Cross-Cultural Cinema (3 credits)
-
COMM 520: History of Animation (3 credits)
-
COMM 558: Survey of American Cinema (3 credits)
-
COMM 586: History of Czech Cinema (3 credits, Prague
World Capitals program)
Declaring a Minor in Cinema Studies
Declaring a Minor in Cinema Studies
- Fill in the CAS Declaration of Major/Minor form, available on the
rack outside the Literature office, Battelle 237.
- Take this form to Professor Leonard,
Director of Undergraduate Studies,
who will sign this form. His office is in Battelle 216 (x2928); his office
hours are usually posted on his door. If Professor Sha is not available,
you may ask the office personnel about speaking with the chair of the
department, Professor Larson.
- You will be directed to Professor
David Pike (Battelle 212; x2996)
or Professor Jeffrey Middents (Battelle 221; x2979), who will discuss
requirements for a minor in Cinema Studies. Plan to check with one of
them periodically to be sure you are complying with these requirements.
- Your intended minor will not appear on any of your documents
until graduation. The semester before you graduate, when you fill in
the Application
for Graduation Form at the Office
of the Registrar, your
minor will become official. The Registrar will send a report to the Literature
Department, and you must check with Professor
Pike, Professor Middents or the Director of Undergraduate Studies to obtain clearance for graduation
with a Minor in Cinema Studies.
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