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Film Studies

Film Studies is an interdisciplinary co-major that explores the interaction between film, culture and society. As the medium and art form that has had the most profound and pervasive influence on modern culture, understanding film is fundamental to understanding our world, our societies and ourselves.

Our Co-Major

At its core, film is a language; Film Studies students become fluent in this language and are thus able to critically engage its larger components as they pervade our culture and our daily lives: elements such as image, editing, sequencing, and narrative and temporal relations surround us continually. With this basis, Film Studies students engage in the rigorous analysis of films from a variety of genres, time periods and countries. Film Studies students interested in production also have the opportunity to direct, shoot and edit their own short films.

Film Studies Minor

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements of the Film Studies co-major?

Film Studies is a co-major, and thus must be paired with another major outside of the Department of Media, Journalism & Film. The core requirements of the FST major are:

  • MJF 143 Introduction to Media
  • MJF 146 Media Aesthetics
  • FST 201 Film History and Analysis
  • FST 301 Film Theory
  • FST 401 Advanced Research Seminar in Film Study

19-23 additional hours are required, and can include courses in national cinemas, genres, auteurs, film production, and other topics.

What are the extra-curricular activities related to of the Film Studies co-major?

The student-run Miami Film Society hosts regular screenings on campus, as well as field-trips to off campus screenings and events. See their Facebook page for more information.

Film Studies majors also present their original research in a yearly Film Studies Research Seminar, which is open to the public.

Select students (based on GPA and professor recommendation) may be eligible to attend Miami’s program at the Telluride Film Festival in Telluride, Colorado in September.

What can I do with this co-major?

Film Studies’ emphasis on interdisciplinary connections and cinema as a global medium means that our students are exposed to diverse ideas and peoples, and consequently, as graduates they are able to establish unique paths for themselves wherever they go.

Students who co-major in Film Studies gain critical thinking, reading, writing and viewing skills. In addition, they develop important skills valuable to most businesses, such as creative research and problem-solving, good communication skills and the ability to work in and make important contributions to a team. Our co-major also allows students to study film production, thus many of our students gain the valuable experience of directing, shooting and editing their own movies. As a result, Film Studies students find employment in a wide range of film and media related fields- as directors, producers, writers, editors, curators, festival programmers, marketers, designers, events managers, teachers, or even professors.

What are the special admission requirements, if any?

Because this degree is a co-major, FST requires students to have a primary major. That major can be any major in the University (except another co-major).

Are internships available?

Yes, internships are periodically available for students who meet the application requirements (GPA and recommendation by professor). FST students have done internships at places such as the Cincinnati Film Commission, and opportunities with other organizations should be available in the future.

Who can I contact for more information?

Dr. Kerry Hegarty, Associate Professor, Area Coordinator
148 Williams Hall
513-529-4507
hegartkt@miamioh.edu

Faculty and Mentors

Core Faculty

Affiliated Faculty

Collaborating Faculty

 

Emeritus Faculty

Department of Media, Journalism, and Film

120 Williams Hall
350 S. Oak Street
Oxford, OH 45056