Cinema and Media Studies Major (ENGL)
College of Arts and Humanities
3212 Jiménez Hall
Phone: 301-405-4025
umdfilm@umd.edu
http://film.umd.edu
Program Director: Caroline Eades, Ph.D.
Cinema and Media Studies is an interdisciplinary program in the humanities that enables students to explore an influential global art form in its aesthetic, cultural, economic, historical, and technological dimensions. The major takes a critical, textual approach to film, emphasizing scholarly viewing, interpreting, and writing about moving images. It provides students with a solid background in theoretical, critical, and aesthetic aspects of the study of film, including the history of the medium and the analysis of national cinemas, always keeping in view questions of how new media have changed both cinema itself and the study of cinema. The Cinema and Media Studies major brings together courses in cinema from varied nations, languages, and cultures and challenges students to understand the systems of transnational exchange that have characterized this medium from its inception. Courses offered by this program may be found under the following acronyms: FILM (being phased out), CINE, ENGL, and SLLC.
Program Objectives
The major in Cinema and Media Studies teaches the fundamental skills required for a range of professional careers: critical thinking, historical awareness, research, information management, cogent development of ideas, and strong written and oral communication. Students will work toward competence in film and media analysis, critical viewing and writing, and visual literacy at a time when our culture is becoming increasingly dependent upon visual communication.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to analyze and interpret film aesthetics and technical structures of editing, cinematography, sound, and mise-en-scene.
- Students will be able to identify and analyze diverse genres and movements in the history of film.
- Students will be able to situate films produced in various parts of the world in relation to larger historical and cultural developments.
- Students will understand the various uses of the moving image in its relation to the political, economic, and social history of the world over the past century.
- Students will be able to conduct research in Cinema and Media Studies and to write persuasively.
Director: C. Eades (SLLC)
Professors: H. Baer (SLLC), C. Eades (SLLC), J. Kuo (ARTH), V. Orlando (SLLC)
Associate Professors: V. Anishchenkova (SLLC), L. Arsenjuk (SLLC), O. Gaycken (ENGL), S. Giovacchini (HIST), E. Papazian (SLLC), M. Resmini (SLLC), E. Zakim (SLLC)
Lecturers: M. Conroy (ENGL), J. Foreman (CINE), D. Richter (HIST)
Instructor: E. Robinson (ENGL and CMLT)
Professors Emeriti: J. Auerbach (ENGL), P. Beicken (SLLC), A. Eckstein (HIST), J. Hallett (CLAS), R. Harrison (SLLC and CMLT), R. Igel (SLLC), A. Karimi-Hakkak (SLLC), M. Lounsbury (AMST), R. Oster (SLLC), P. Verdaguer (SLLC)
The Cinema and Media Studies major has four parts: a prerequisite course in Film Form (ENGL245/CINE245), a two-course Film History and Theory Foundation (CINE301 and CINE302), a six-course Film Criticism Core, and four Film Electives. The first two parts of the program assure that students have the necessary analytical tools and historical background to interpret diverse global cinematic traditions. The Film Criticism Core and Film Electives offer students the opportunity to explore genres, themes, and movements across different historical periods and to develop their skills in analysis, writing, and research.
General Policies
- The Cinema and Media Studies major requires 39 credits (13 courses).
- A grade of "C-" or better is required in each of the courses making up the 39 credits of the major.
- Up to nine (9) credits may be taken at the 2xx-level.
- At least 6 of the 39 credits must be at the 4xx-level.
The Cinema and Media Studies major requires 39 credits, distributed as follows:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Film Form | ||
| CINE/ENGL245 | Film Form and Culture | 3 |
Equivalent by permission of department | ||
| Film History and Theory Foundation 2 | ||
| CINE301 | Cinema History I: The Silent Era | 3 |
| CINE302 | Cinema History II: The Sound Era | 3 |
| Film Criticism Core Requirement 3 | ||
| Select one course in Film Theories | 3 | |
| Select two courses in Genres/Auteurs/Movements | 6 | |
| Select two courses in National and International Cinemas | 6 | |
| Select one course in Documentary, Animation, Experimental Cinema or other Visual Media | 3 | |
| Film Electives 4 | ||
| Select an option: | 12 | |
| Option One: | ||
Select two courses from the Film Criticism category, any rubric | ||
Select two courses from the Film Electives category | ||
| Option Two: | ||
Select four courses in Film Electives that create a coherent emphasis 5 | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
Fulfills Gen Ed req. in Humanities. Cinema and Media Studies majors must take ENGL245/CINE245 before they take other 3xx or 4xx-level Cinema and Media Studies courses. We recommend that it be taken no later than sophomore year.
- 2
Students may take the two courses in any order.
- 3
At least one course in this category must be taken at the 4xx-level. For a list of courses that will satisfy each sub-category, please see https://sllc.umd.edu/fields/cinema-media/courses/.
- 4
Up to two courses in this category may be taken at the 2xx-level. At least one must be taken at the 4xx-level. Please consult the full list of courses accepted for the major: https://sllc.umd.edu/fields/cinema-media/courses/.
- 5
The four courses should be selected in consultation with the Cinema and Media Studies Advisor to allow students to explore a specific area of interest or an area related to their future academic or professional plans.
Other Requirements for the Major
CINE245 is a prerequisite for many 3xx-level courses in the major. Students are advised to complete that course early in their academic careers. Successful completion of CINE245 allows students to proceed to two courses required for the major: CINE301 and CINE302.
Click here for roadmaps for four-year plans in the College of Arts and Humanities.
Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages:
- http://4yearplans.umd.edu
- the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog
Academic advising is available throughout the year. Departmental academic advising is mandatory for all Cinema and Media Studies majors before registration for classes. Students should check Testudo (http://testudo.umd.edu) for their registration date and schedule an advising appointment for at least one week in advance of their date. Advising appointments can be made via email: filmadvising@umd.edu.
To review the academic plan for this major, go to http://arhu.umd.edu/academicsadvising/academic-plans/.
Internships
Cinema and Media Studies offers students the opportunity to earn academic credit in connection with an internship, through CINE388 (Experiential Learning). Admission to CINE388 is by application only. See http://film.umd.edu for more details.
Scholarships and Financial Assistance
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state, and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: http://financialaid.umd.edu.