Requirements
Overview
The major in Film and Media Studies integrates the history, theory, criticism, and production of moving-image media. Courses examine the broad international landscape of cinema and all audiovisual media as art forms that have had, and will continue to have, enduring social significance as cultural and communicative practices. As an interdisciplinary program centered in the humanities, Film and Media Studies offers students latitude when charting their course of study. Because of the special demands of Film and Media Studies and the diversity of its offerings, potential majors are encouraged to consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies soon after declaring the major.
Requirements of the Major
See Links to the attributes indicating courses approved for the Film and Media Studies requirements.
The Film and Media Studies major consists of twelve term courses. A maximum of one course taken Credit/D/Fail may count toward the 12 credits required for the major with permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies; required courses may not be taken for Credit/D/Fail.
Students are required to take FILM 1501, Introduction to Film Studies, FILM 1601, Introduction to Media Studies, and FILM 3201, Close Analysis of Film preferably in their first or second year.
In addition, students are required to take at least one course in international cinema, critical studies, and the practice of producing cinematic or digital time-based media.
Occasionally, courses in other YC departments or programs may be substituted for FMS requirements or electives with the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Majors in Film and Media Studies must write a senior essay or produce a senior project with an accompanying essay in their final year.
Senior requirement
During the senior year, each student takes one or two senior-level seminars/workshops or the equivalent and submits a senior essay or senior production project, which should represent a culmination of work in the major and in Yale College.
Summary of Senior Project Options
See “The Senior Requirement” section of this site for more detail.
Senior Essay: 2 terms of senior-level seminars, or 2 terms of senior essay (FILM 4910, FILM 4920), or 1 term of each.
Senior Production Project: 2 terms of senior project in FILM 4550 + FILM 4560, or FILM 4830 + FILM 4840, or FILM 4800 + FILM 4810, or FILM 4870 + FILM 4880 in addition to .5CR of FILM 4940, for a total of 12.5 term courses.
Intensive Major: Both senior essay and the senior production project
The intensive major
Students of substantial accomplishment and commitment to film and media studies are encouraged to pursue the intensive major. Students in the intensive major complete a senior project in production and also write a senior essay. The intensive major in Film and Media Studies is intended for students who are not pursuing two majors. Students must request approval from the Film and Media Studies Committee at the end of their junior year by submitting a proposal that outlines their objectives and general area of study.
Outside credit
Courses taken at another institution or during an approved summertime or term study abroad program may count toward the major requirements with DUS approval.
All majors
The Study of Film and Media can lead students anywhere across the arts, humanities, and the physical and social sciences. To enhance their major and their post-Yale futures, all FMS majors are encouraged to take advantage of all aspects of Yale College’s offerings including study abroad opportunities and the study of non-english languages and cultures. Those choosing to continue their film and media studies in graduate school in relation to a non-US culture must have good listening and reading abilities in that language.
Summary of Major Requirements
Number of courses 12 term courses (or 12.5 for senior production project majors)
Specific courses required FILM 1501, FILM 1601 and FILM 3201
Distribution of courses 1 upper-level international (non-US) or world cinema course; 1 upper level critical studies course; 1 cinematic/media production course
Senior Project: either scholarly essay(s), production project, or both