A minor in cinema studies asks you to consider film as a form of entertainment, as a mode of self-expression, as a tool to document and inform, as a vehicle for political action, and as an important economic and cultural commodity.
Cinema studies teaches you to analyze film as a complex system tied to the context of its production, distribution, and consumption. Cinema studies students don’t just write essays and research papers, but learn to use editing software to author videographic scholarship, or “video essays.”
Cinema studies students have presented their work at academic conferences, had their work published in scholarly journals, attended international film festivals, and gone on to top graduate programs.
These requirements are from an excerpt from the University Academic Catalog, which outlines the requirements for a student to earn the distinction of being a Castleton University graduate. The complete catalog is available online.
The Cinema Studies minor, which is offered by the Media & Communication Department, is an 18-credit minor offering students cutting edge digital humanities approaches to exploring cinema as a nexus of the social, cultural, political, and economic spheres. This interdisciplinary program is designed around a core of classes in cinema studies, augmented by studies in related departments and programs.
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
COM 1150 |
Introduction to Cinema StudiesWhy are movies made? Who makes them? How do they make their way to us? Why does it matter? In this course, we will explore contemporary cinema's capacity to entertain, express, inform, and generate revenue. We'll work to understand why Hollywood and other film industries favor certain subjects and styles, and to illuminate the challenges of working in film production. Each class meeting will include a movie screening, lecture, discussion, and a lab instruction period. This course fulfills an Arts and Aesthetics general education requirement. Fee Fee $15 Every semester |
3 |
COM 2330 |
International CinemaAn introductory survey of non-U.S. cinema, exploring prominent film movements and national cinemas from the 1940's through the present. Films screened in the course will range from popular genre cinema to art and experimental cinemas. Class meets for one four-hour period weekly. This course fulfills a Humanistic Perspective general education requirement. Prerequisite: COM 1150 or consent of instructor. Fee Screening fee $15 Fall, odd years |
3 |
COM 2730 |
Special Topics in Cinema StudiesIn-depth exploration of a topic in cinema studies, such as genre, director, national cinema, gender and cinema, race and cinema, or topics in film theory. Exact course descriptions will be provided prior to registration for the spring semester. Class meets for one 4-hour session per week. Prerequisite: COM 2050 or consent of instructor. Fee Screening fee $15 Spring |
3 |
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
ARH 3052 |
History of Twentieth Century ArtEuropean and American painting and sculpture from 1900 to 1945. This course fulfills an Arts and Aesthetic general education requirement. Periodically |
3 |
ART 2130 |
Experimental Cinema and VideoOR COM 2130 - Experimental Cinema and Video 3 cr Students explore video as an artistic medium through group projects, production and critique of individual projects, and viewing and analysis of the work of current video artists. Emphasis is on developing methods to present artistic concepts coherently. Students are encouraged to experiment with modes of narrative, camera and editing techniques and forms of presentation. This course fulfills an Arts and Aesthetics general education requirement. Fee May have studio fees. Periodically |
3 |
ART 2301 |
Photography IAn introductory studio course exploring camera techniques, film exposure and black and white darkroom procedures. Emphasis is on photography as an art form and the potential of the medium as a vehicle for personal visual expression. Historical, cultural and aesthetic contexts will be considered. Students must furnish (or have regular access to) their own inexpensive adjustable camera and supplies. Field trips may be included. This course fulfills an Arts and Aesthetic general education requirement. Fee A studio fee may be required. |
3 |
COM 2120 |
Script Workshop IThis course is designed to allow students to explore a wide range of script styles and formats, including the stage play, film script, radio play, and television script. The focus will be on understanding the process of script development through reading and analyzing published scripts, and by writing original short scripts. Periodically |
3 |
COM 2140 |
Race, Gender and Sexuality in MediaMedia are among our primary sources of images of people, places and things we do not encounter ourselves in our everyday lives. This course examines the images of women and racial and sexual minorities who have been on the fringes of policy development and yet at the center of narratives created by mainstream media. It takes a detailed look at the symbolic and social power of commercial media's role in constructing social and cultural differences around age, gender, race, class and sexuality. This course fulfills an Arts and Aesthetics general education requirement. Prerequisite: COM 1220 or consent of instructor. Fee Fee $20 Spring |
3 |
COM 2730 |
Special Topics in Cinema Studies(may be taken a maximum of two times for minor credit) In-depth exploration of a topic in cinema studies, such as genre, director, national cinema, gender and cinema, race and cinema, or topics in film theory. Exact course descriptions will be provided prior to registration for the spring semester. Class meets for one 4-hour session per week. Prerequisite: COM 2050 or consent of instructor. Fee Screening fee $15 Spring |
3 |
COM 2970 |
Directed Study in Cinema StudiesProvides students the opportunity to work independently under the guidance of a faculty mentor. An Independent Study form describing the nature of the study and completed in conjunction with the faculty supervisor is required at the time of registration. |
1-3 |
COM 3020 |
Documentary Filmmaking(has prerequisites not contained in the minor) Exploration of documentary filmmaking practices and expression through critical analysis of medium and hands-on documentary production experience. Students create short documentaries from pre-production through post-production. Prerequisite: COM 1211 Fee Fee $20 Spring, odd years |
3 |
COM 4020 |
Fiction Filmmaking(has prerequisites not contained in the minor) Exploration of narrative filmmaking practices with emphases on storytelling techniques. Students create short fiction filmmaking projects from pre-production through post-production. Prerequisite: COM 1211 Fee Fee $20 Spring, even years |
3 |
COM 4030 |
Script Workshop IIStudents write and critique original scripts for stage, radio and screen. Material from this course may be used for student productions. Prerequisite: COM 2120 or consent of instructor. Spring |
3 |
COM 4970 |
Directed Study in Cinema StudiesProvides students the opportunity to work independently under the guidance of a faculty mentor. An Independent Study form describing the nature of the study and completed in conjunction with the faculty supervisor is required at the time of registration. |
1-3 |
FLL 1110 |
Film and Lit: Hispanic, French and ItalianA global reach of literary texts and film in cultural and/or literary translation from the Hispanic, French, or Italian languages and cultures, starting from the late 20th century. Film, novels, short stories, essays, and poetry will be analyzed and discussed. Works will be presented as part of a global consciousness in terms of interrelationships including historical context. They may be selected by theme, genre, topic, and/or special combination that are thought provoking and respond to current interest. Students will be required to do oral presentations and written reports. This course fulfills a Humanistic Perspective general education requirement. Every semester |
3 |
HIS 2335 |
Asia through Food and FilmThis course uses food and film to teach about cultural experiences of Asians and their historical relationships to the lands and to the peoples they encountered through migration, trade and conquest. Its basic goal will be to stimulate students' thinking and enthusiasm for learning more about Asia, but it also aims to challenge them to consider how culture, environment, economics, and politics intersect in the foods people eat, and how historical change and continuity reflect and reverberate in that intersection. A multisensory understanding of Asian culture and history is gained through readings, films, class lecture and discussion, and cooking and eating a variety of Asian foods. Fees: $25 for cooking ingredients, restaurant items, and honoraria for guest gourmets to give presentations and cooking demonstrations. This course fulfills a Humanistic Perspective general education requirement. Fall |
3 |
PHI 3060 |
AestheticsAesthetics, or Philosophy of Art, is an examination of problems and theories of the nature of art and aesthetic value. Problems concern the definition of art, the nature of beauty and aesthetic value, the nature of aesthetic judgments, the relationship between art and morality, and the nature of artistic creativity. Prerequisite: Previous course in Philosophy or consent of the instructor. Periodically |
3 |
THA 3020 |
Acting for the CameraInstruction and practice in the basics of acting for both TV and film style productions: playing to the camera, shooting out of sequences, blocking, and other production considerations. Prerequisite: THA 2121, or consent of instructor. Alternate years |
3 |