Film & Screen Studies
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 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 minor also complements major studies in most fields; for example, Interactive Media Technology, Graphic Arts, Speech Communication, Marketing, English Studies, Film History, Theater, Global Studies, Music and Journalism. Those with a minor in film and screen studies 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.
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. As well, the minor can serve as a significant complement to major studies in most fields, for example, 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 24 credit hours, including:
Core Courses
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FILM 100 - Introduction to Film and Screen
FILM 100 - Introduction to Film and Screen
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the critical analysis of film through an examination of the technical, formal and stylistic aspects of cinematic production.
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FILM 200 - History of American Film
FILM 200 - History of American Film
4.00 credit hours
A survey of the major developments in American cinema from the invention of motion pictures to the present, with emphasis on directors, aesthetic innovations, technological advances, government policies and business practices. Major focus on Hollywood studios with some attention to independent, experimental and "art" film.
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FILM 300 - History of Global Film
FILM 300 - History of Global Film
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to major movements, waves, or schools throughout the history of global film with an emphasis on aesthetic trademarks, cultural and historical context, and directors. Additional focus on the shift of scholarly attention from national cinema(s) to global and transnational characteristics of contemporary film.
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FILM 490 - Film Theory and Criticism
FILM 490 - Film Theory and Criticism
4.00 credit hours
The study of key theoretical models and strategies for comprehending the uniqueness of film and television as texts, cultural documents, and aesthetic experiences. May include intersections with existing theoretical models such as spectatorship, gender theory, critical race theory, psychoanalysis, Marxism, (post)structuralism, queer theory, and post- colonialism.
Electives
Take two courses from the following:
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FILM 350 - TV Form: History and Theory
FILM 350 - TV Form: History and Theory
4.00 credit hours
An examination of television's history as a cultural form (from early broadcast through innovations such as the remote, VCR, cable and streaming) alongside theoretical accounts of television's uniqueness as a form distinct from other moving-image media.
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FILM 390 - Special Topics in Film and Screen Studies
FILM 390 - Special Topics in Film and Screen Studies
4.00 credit hours
An intensive study of an area within film or screen studies. Courses could focus on the films of one nation, director, or genre; screen adaptation; music and moving images; animation; experimental film and video; recent screen technologies; etc.
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ENGL 334 - Critical Theory
ENGL 334 - Critical Theory
4.00 credit hours
Advanced focus on primary theoretical texts. Students analyze and synthesize the range of theories that have shaped debates in literary and cultural studies. Considering multiple lenses of inquiry, students use close reading and questioning to engage key concepts: language, narrative, subjectivity, identities and the shaping force of material histories on persons and texts. Critical frames are brought into relation to consider their relevance to literature and life. Culture and Identity.
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ENGL 214 - Graphic Narratives
ENGL 214 - Graphic Narratives
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to foundational concepts in visual design, narrative structure and multimodality. From 1200 AD to the present, illuminated manuscripts, broadsides, comic books and websites have combined words and images, playing a part in literature and pop culture. Students explore the history of the word/image interface through critical and creative work.
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ARTD 100 - Visual Literacy
ARTD 100 - Visual Literacy
4.00 credit hours
A survey of historical and contemporary theories and practices of visual forms, especially as applied in art and design. Students engage theories in constructing imagery to develop skills of seeing and comprehending visual details, and the ability to understand the meanings of and messages in visual text.
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ARTD 280 - Animation I: Methods and Story
ARTD 280 - Animation I: Methods and Story
4.00 credit hours
The theory and practice of 2D computer animation, character and story development, the Twelve Principles of animation, including secondary animation, key-framing and anticipation. Topics include character development, narrative creation, time-line based editing, stop frame animation and an introduction to animation programming.
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ARTD 380 - Animation II: Sequential Art
ARTD 380 - Animation II: Sequential Art
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of 2D digital graphics and animation with a focus on producing portfolio quality projects. Efficient workflow techniques, narrative arcs and team dynamics are examined. Topics include storyboard script production, audio-animation optimization and compositing across programs.
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COMM 389 - Gender, Sexuality and Mass Media
COMM 389 - Gender, Sexuality and Mass Media
4.00 credit hours
An advanced introduction to the complex relations between gender and the mass media. Special emphasis is placed on the social construction of gender and sexuality, representations of the body and feminist theories of media.
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MEDI 222 - Video Storytelling I
MEDI 222 - Video Storytelling I
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the elements of video production and the principles of editing with an emphasis on story as well as technique. Basic camera and microphone operation is introduced and use of video editing software to create video projects is explored. This course is a combination of lectures, demonstrations and projects.
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MEDI 262 - Introduction to Digital Audio
MEDI 262 - Introduction to Digital Audio
4.00 credit hours
The preparation, production and direction of various digital audio program materials (such as commercial spots, news packages, music specials, station promos, podcasts, and dramas). Students learn how to use professional digital audio editing software. Sometimes uses WONC-FM production studios as a laboratory.
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MEDI 370 - Screenwriting
MEDI 370 - Screenwriting
4.00 credit hours
The research, writing and pre-production of television and motion picture screenplays with an emphasis on script structure and format, plot analysis and character development. The behind-the-scenes relationships with producers, directors, screenwriters and agents are studied. Also discussed: Writers Guild of America formatting guidelines, screenwriting software choices, securing a literary agent, soliciting producers and deciphering options and contracts.
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RELG 245 - Hollywood, Values and Religion
RELG 245 - Hollywood, Values and Religion
4.00 credit hours
An exploration of religious and ethical values in contemporary films with a particular emphasis on social justice concerns related to race, gender and religious diversity.
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THEA 101 - Introduction to Acting
THEA 101 - Introduction to Acting
4.00 credit hours
Designed for students with previous acting experience including high school and/or community theatre. This course consists of exercises in voice, movement, improvisation and text study. The course seeks to give the student an awareness of what acting is in both theory and performance. Presentation of scenes and attendance at productions are required.
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THEA 330 - Directing
THEA 330 - Directing
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the art of directing plays for the theatre. It utilizes background information and experience with acting, stagecraft and dramatic literature to provide the groundwork for discussion of various approaches to, and techniques of, play production. The course culminates in the public performance of student-directed short scenes and one acts.
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THEA 365 - Acting on Camera
THEA 365 - Acting on Camera
4.00 credit hours
This course explores the acting methods used for film and television. Students are trained in camera techniques used for commercial, industrial, film and television auditions. Students work in front of the camera each week utilizing actual copy from popular shows, commercials and movies. Students leave this course audition ready. The course includes extensive scene memorization, class discussions, performance critique writing and journal self-assessment writing.
Film and Screen Studies Internships and Jobs
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