Film Studies

Film Studies prepares students for a variety of careers and further education opportunities by providing foundational instruction in the analysis of visual narrative. Dozens of career fields rely on knowledge of digital media and visual narratives, including fields in the arts, business, journalism, writing, education and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in production and direction of film, television, stage and other productions will grow by 8 percent between 2023 and 2033, one of the fastest growing occupations in communications-related fields. The motion picture and sound recording industries employ more than 415,000 people – a number that is expected to grow in the coming years. In Film Studies courses, you will learn to interpret films to better understand film history, styles, genres, and cinematic technique. As a Film Studies student, you'll assess the medium of film in interdisciplinary courses, learning methods of film analysis that take account of the conventions of filmmaking and putting your learning into practice in forms such as interpretive essays, screenplays, and short films.

A major in Film Studies also gives students opportunities to cross into several other disciplines on campus.

Communication (Electronic Media)

Put your Film Studies learning to use as you practice storytelling through video production, audio production, editing, storyboarding, film direction, producing, and other hands-on skills. Some of our most accomplished students have been double majors in Film Studies and Communication with emphasis in Electronic Media.

Creative Writing

Broaden your understanding about the writing process and the craft-based choices made by writers, develop your analytical abilities and work across genres to strengthen your writing through courses in Creative Writing. Combine your Film Studies knowledge with Creative Writing to build toward a career in screenwriting.

Journalism

Hone the storytelling skills you’ve developed for the news media. Today’s journalism professionals are skilled writers, photographers, videographers, sound technicians, editors and producers. Couple your Film Studies expertise with Journalism for potential careers in entertainment journalism, production development, and more.

Professional Writing and Publishing

Write creatively and analytically across multiple genres and workplace settings. Countless careers require professionals to write clearly and effectively. A Film Studies major coupled with Professional Writing and Publishing experience could lead to opportunities in production editing, creative direction, content specialization, project management and more.