Film Studies Major
New Major in Film Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
Great news!! The proposal for a Film Studies Major was approved by the Board of Higher Education in June 2024 and is now in Phase II of the development process. Students will be able to declare the major as soon as it is final approval is granted — before the end of next academic year (or possibly even sooner!). The requirements for the new Film Studies major will be announced once the program is officially authorized. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you. Please fill out the FILM MAJOR APPLICATION FORM to let us know if you are considering declaring a Film Studies major. Do you want to know more? Please email Barry Spence at bspence@umass.edu:
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ADVISOR THROUGH NAVIGATE
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ADVISOR THROUGH NAVIGATE
CORE COURSES:
- One Intro Course
- One History of Film
- One Director course or Genre course
- One Film Theory course (T)
- Junior year writing (Required for primary majors)
- Integrative Experience (Required for primary majors)
For non primary majors, this course can count as one of the 12 required courses for the major.
ELECTIVES:
- Seven Electives (E)
Students choose 7 electives at the 300 level or higher.
Through the choices for the six elective film courses, students can choose to develop a specialization within the discipline of film studies. Suggested specializations include: - Internship and/or Independent Study courses:
Students can take 6 credits of internship and 3 of independent study (or vice versa) as part of the 7 electives. Please make sure to enroll in Film-St 398 practicum. Up to 3 courses (of the 6 electives) can be fulfilled through internships and independent study. Mount Ida Internships Program students may petition to have up to 9 internship credits counted as part of their 6 electives (temporary suspended due to the Covid outbreak).
Please see our internship opportunities here
IMPORTANT RULES:
- Students must take courses from at least 3 different disciplines (departments/programs).
- All classes must be 300 level or higher. (The introductory course does not need to be 300 level, but it does not count as part of the 12 required courses).
- Students must earn a C or better in all courses taken toward the major.
- Students who are double-majoring are allowed to double-dip with 2 courses.
- Full time students must complete 4 semesters in the BDIC major.
- Full time students must be enrolled in at least 2 courses (a total of at least 6 credits) related to their BDIC major each semester.
- When joining the BDIC major, students can bring in up to 4 previously taken courses, from no more than three semesters previous to when they take the proposal class.
- Junior Year Writing and the Integrative Experience course are required for primary majors. Waived for secondary majors.
If there is any doubt about the applicability of a particular course in another department, or from another school, check with a Film Studies BDIC advisor.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ADVISOR THROUGH NAVIGATE