Film Studies Major
The Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies, as a step in the process of establishing an autonomous major, has been administering and supervising a film studies major as a structured concentration within BDIC (Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration) since Fall 2020.
The proposal for the autonomous major in Film Studies is currently in the review process and will undergo evaluation by the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Board of Higher Education (BHE) in the coming months. We anticipate their thorough consideration and hope to receive their approval to proceed with the implementation soon.
Please check back! In the meantime you can contact us, or apply below:
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for the major, students need to have completed or be currently registered for at least 15 credits of courses, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
The application process has two phases.
- Students must fill out a short APPLICATION FORM.
- Students take the 1-credit Proposal Writing Class (BDIC 396) and develop their course plan for the Film Studies concentration. Completion of this course marks the completion of the application process. Please note students may take other courses towards the Film Studies/BDIC major at the same time (or even before taking the Proposal Course).
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FILM MAJOR PREPARATION:
Proposal course
BDIC 396P Proposal Writing. Students take this 1-credit course during their first semester of the major. Students may take other courses towards the Film Studies/BDIC major at the same time (or even before taking the Proposal Course).
Application Deadline for the Proposal Course:
Fall Semester: First Monday of May
Spring Semester: First Monday of December
Have you missed this deadline? Please contact Barry Spence: bspence@umass.edu
One Introductory course (I)
The introductory course should be taken preferably before any other film courses.
REQUIREMENTS:
The major consists of 12 courses: 5 required core courses and 7 electives. Primary majors must also take Junior Year Writing and the Integrative Experience course.
Print your checklist for major requirements
See a list of courses that fulfill each requirement
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CORE COURSES:
- One History of Film course before 1950s (H1)
- One History of Film course after 1950s (H2)
- One Director or Genre course (D&G)
- One National cinema course (N)
- One Film Theory course (T)
- Junior year writing (Required for primary majors)
The Program in Film Studies will have its own junior year writing course in place by Fall 2021. For the 2020-2021 academic year, students whose primary major is BDIC Film Studies will take the junior year writing course within BDIC. - Integrative Experience (Required for primary majors)
For non primary majors, this course can count as one of the 12 required courses for the major.
ELECTIVES:
- Seven Electives (E)
Students choose 7 electives at the 300 level or higher.
Through the choices for the six elective film courses, students can choose to develop a specialization within the discipline of film studies. Suggested specializations include: - Internship and/or Independent Study courses:
Students can take 6 credits of internship and 3 of independent study (or vice versa) as part of the 7 electives. Please make sure to enroll in Film-St 398 practicum. Up to 3 courses (of the 6 electives) can be fulfilled through internships and independent study. Mount Ida Internships Program students may petition to have up to 9 internship credits counted as part of their 6 electives (temporary suspended due to the Covid outbreak).
Please see our internship opportunities here
IMPORTANT RULES:
- Students must take courses from at least 3 different disciplines (departments/programs).
- All classes must be 300 level or higher. (The introductory course does not need to be 300 level, but it does not count as part of the 12 required courses).
- Students must earn a C or better in all courses taken toward the major.
- Students who are double-majoring are allowed to double-dip with 2 courses.
- Full time students must complete 4 semesters in the BDIC major.
- Full time students must be enrolled in at least 2 courses (a total of at least 6 credits) related to their BDIC major each semester.
- When joining the BDIC major, students can bring in up to 4 previously taken courses, from no more than three semesters previous to when they take the proposal class.
- Junior Year Writing and the Integrative Experience course are required for primary majors. Waived for secondary majors.
If there is any doubt about the applicability of a particular course in another department, or from another school, check with a Film Studies BDIC advisor.
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