Film & Media Studies
Analyzing and understanding film, television, and media as art and culture.
Film and media studies analyzes film, television, and digital media as art forms and cultural artifacts, covering film history, theory, and critical analysis. It's more analytical than production-focused, though many programs include hands-on filmmaking courses alongside the critical/historical core.
Coursework involves close analysis of films (much like literary close reading, but of images, sound, and editing), and upper-level seminars often focus on a director, movement, genre, or theoretical approach in depth.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Introduction to Film Studies
- ✓Film History
- ✓Film Theory & Criticism
- ✓World Cinema
- ✓Television & New Media Studies
- ✓Genre or Director Seminar
- ✓Introduction to Filmmaking (often available)
- ✓Senior Thesis or Capstone
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Introduction to Film Studies
- +General education requirement
- ✓Film History
- +General education requirement
- ✓Film Theory & Criticism
- +General education requirement
- ✓World Cinema
- +Free elective
- ✓Television & New Media Studies
- +Free elective
- ✓Genre or Director Seminar
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Introduction to Filmmaking (often available)
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Senior Thesis or Capstone
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Loves film and television and wants to study it seriously
- ★Enjoys close analysis of visual storytelling
- ★Interested in cultural criticism and media's societal role
- ★Comfortable with heavy reading, viewing, and writing
Common minors & double-major pairings
English Literature · Communication Studies · Art History
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Film & Media Studies major?
Analyzing and understanding film, television, and media as art and culture.
What courses do Film & Media Studies majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Introduction to Film Studies, Film History, Film Theory & Criticism, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Film & Media Studies program?
Film & Media Studies coursework typically builds skills like Critical analysis of visual and audio media, Understanding film history and movements, Analytical and interpretive writing, Media literacy and critical viewing.
Is Film & Media Studies a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Loves film and television and wants to study it seriously" or "Enjoys close analysis of visual storytelling" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Film & Media Studies degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Video Editor. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Film & Media Studies?
Common minor or double-major pairings include English Literature, Communication Studies, Art History.
How is Film & Media Studies different from Communication Studies?
They're related but distinct. Film & Media Studies: Analyzing and understanding film, television, and media as art and culture. Communication Studies: How people create meaning and persuade through communication. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Film & Media Studies degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/film-media-studies