Getting Started
College: HFA
Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and in choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major Page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.
How to Explore the Major
Suggested General Education Courses
All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at https://www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of General Education courses, providing breadth of experience.
Suggested Major and Pre-requisites Courses
Required prerequisites, including recommended sequence:
Students should begin by taking an introductory course to the discipline of Film Studies. The strongly recommended course is FILM-ST 190F: Film Studies: FOUNDATIONS.
It is recommended that students then complete the core History of cinema course requirement, since this provides a further foundation for in-depth work in the field.
Students are also encouraged to take General Education film studies courses, at whatever level, during their initial exploration of the major.
Minimum GPA or grades in prerequisite courses (if any): 2.5
How to Declare/ Change into the Major
This major is Unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Students must have an appointment with the Film Studies Undergraduate Program Director, Barry Spence, for admission to the major. Once admitted to the major, students must meet with an academic advisor every semester.
Exploratory Track Students:
Students are encouraged to take an introductory film studies course, FILM-ST 190F Film Studies: FOUNDATIONS, as early as is convenient. They should also meet with a Film Studies advisor to consult about the major and their plan of courses.
Transfer Students:
Transfer students should contact the Undergraduate Program Director as soon as possible to discuss the requirements for the major, to enroll in the major, and for guidance in course selection.
Summary of Requirements for Major
Core Courses:
- One Introductory course
- One History of Film course
- One Director or Genre course
- One Film Theory course
- Junior year writing (Required for primary majors)
- Integrative Experience (Required for primary majors)
Concentrations (choose one):
- 3 Courses in one of these CONCENTRATIONS:
- 1) History of Cinema, Film Theory, Film Criticism
- 2) World Cinema, Cinema Cultures, International Film
- 3) Filmmaking, Production
Electives:
Students choose five electives, in addition to the above courses.
See the Major Page located in the left menu bar to learn more.
Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
No. But there is a Film Studies certificate. See the Program website for more information.
For further information, contact:
Prof. Barry Spence, Undergraduate Program Director
Office: S447 Integrative Learning Center
Email: bspence@umass.edu
Website: https://www.umass.edu/film/