The Film program is an innovative, interdisciplinary, undergraduate program leading to a BA in Film or a minor in Production, Cinema Studies, or Screenwriting.
In the BA program, students are provided the opportunity to pursue a course of study that encompasses the scholarly study of film as well as the production and technical aspects of the moving image and writing for the screen. The program employs a scholarly, creative, and professional approach to the study of film and seeks to help each student discover his or her talent as an independent critic, artist, and communicator.
The Film BA is designed to build specific skills in media production from a strong foundation of general knowledge in film. Students can choose from a range of courses that offer both introductory as well as more advanced study in all aspects of mediated storytelling, from writing and producing to directing, cinematography, and editing. The program emphasizes exploration of the student’s personal creative voice through hands-on productions.
All students begin by making short programs, then progress to more complex productions while learning the collaborative nature of film/video production through crew experiences. Students are encouraged to experiment with traditional narrative structures, documentary, and multi-camera production, as the curriculum allows and their interests dictate.
To complete the learning experience and help students prepare for the job market, all students pursuing the major are strongly encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities and are required to compile a portfolio and capstone project.
Admission Requirements
A Film major or minor can be selected by students using the normal major or minor declaration process and with assistance from a faculty advisor. Any student who has a minimum CWU grade point average of 2.4 or higher may be admitted to this program. Admission is dependent upon the number of slots available.
Graduation Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.4 CWU GPA or higher with a minimum grade of C- in all courses counted toward fulfilling the film major or minor requirements.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate themselves to be expressive, innovative visual thinkers.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret emotional, psychological, and cognitive influences in the perception of visual media.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the distinguishing features of American and International cinema.
- Demonstrate a meaningful understanding of the production elements and narrative structures employed in film.
- Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical approaches to cinema (genre, auteurism, structuralism, poststructuralism, semiotics, psychoanalysis, feminism, and post-colonialism).
- Demonstrate the knowledge of and ability to apply different theoretical perspectives on the role and power of media within society to influence social values, political beliefs, identities, and behaviors.
- Demonstrate a basic skills set in producing, directing, cinematography, and editing.
- Identify and effectively use the fundamental structure and features of a screenplay.
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