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College of Arts & Sciences

Film & Screen Studies

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Why pursue a film and screen studies degree at North Central College?

Students will be taught the knowledge and skills needed for the emerging and evolving film and screen culture industry. Film and screen studies is an interdisciplinary program devoted to teaching students to understand moving images not just as entertainment, but also as film aesthetic creations and an art form composed of cultural studies and historical artifacts. Film production is a cultural form that saturates our environment and is part of our globalizing world: we are inundated by contemporary cinema, television shows, YouTube clips, game animation, advertisements—even the videos we so casually shoot on small mobile devices and post on social media.

A major or minor in Film and Screen Studies can prepare students for graduate study at a university or careers within the film industry as theatre producers, analysts and consumers of moving images. The program also complements a range of studies; for example, Interactive Media Technology, Graphic Arts, Speech Communication, Marketing, English Studies, Film History, Theater, Global Studies, Music and Journalism. Students will learn topics such as the history of film, film theory, screenwriting, criticism of cinema, and more. Students will be given the opportunity to develop and interdisciplinary approach to the study of film and screen media.

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • Introduction to Film and Screen
  • History of American Film
  • History of Global Film
  • Film Theory and Criticism
     

Beyond the Classroom

As a film and screen studies major, you can:

Campus Virtual Tour

More Department information

Film and Screen Studies, B.A.

Integrating the study and production of film and screen, this program offers a rich and divergent understanding of film histories, cultures, and industries. By encouraging the curiosity and critical thinking central to the liberal arts, Film & Screen Studies prepares students by equipping them with a breath of knowledge in global film history, theory, and criticism, as well as familiarity and hands-on experience with video storytelling and applied production areas, such as screenwriting, social media, visual storytelling, directing or acting.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see English.

At least 40 credit hours:

Required Courses

History and Theory

All of the following:

Production

Two of the following:

Electives

Students must take 8 additional credit hours from the following:

Film and Screen Studies Minor

Film and Screen Studies is an interdisciplinary minor devoted to teaching students to understand moving images not just as entertainment, but also as aesthetic creations and cultural/historical artifacts which have been produced, consumed and used in specific times and places. Developing sophisticated visual literacy skills has never been more important, as these cultural forms saturate our environment and are part and parcel of our globalizing world: we are inundated by films; television shows; youtube clips; game animation; advertisements; even the videos we so casually shoot on small cellular devices. A minor in Film and Screen Studies can prepare students for graduate study or careers as producers, analysts and consumers of moving images. Additionally, the minor can serve as a significant complement to major studies in most fields, including Interactive Media Technology, Graphic Arts, Speech Communication, Marketing, English Studies, History, Theater, Global Studies, Music and Journalism.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see English.

At least 20 credit hours, with at least 4 credits at the 300-level or above.

Required

History and Theory

One of the following:

Production

One of the following:

Electives

Students must take an additional 4 credit hours from the following:

Film and Screen Studies Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

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