Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
MAJOR AND MINOR DESCRIPTIONS BY DEPARTMENT
FILM STUDIES
While film studies is not a department, it is an interdisciplinary program and an administrative unit offering both a major and a minor in film studies. Film is one of the major cultural forms of the 20th century, and its study has become an important part of a modern humanities education. At the University of Pittsburgh, the Film Studies Program provides a series of interdisciplinary courses concerning the history, aesthetics, theory, and production of cinema. The program provides courses in critical studies and (by special arrangement with Pittsburgh Filmmakers in Oakland) courses in film, photography, and video production. A major in film studies helps students to understand and appreciate the cinematic medium and to be aware of its impact as a cultural and artistic force. It is also appropriate for students who wish to pursue careers in film teaching, film journalism, film museum curatorial work, film library and archival work, and film and television production. As part of the Film Studies Program, internships are made available to students in many of these fields. (In the past, students have done internships at the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Pittsburgh Film Office, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, and various television stations.)
Various options are available to students interested in film studies. For those students who wish to make film studies the primary focus of their undergraduate program, it is possible to pursue an interdisciplinary major in film studies. For those students who wish to major in another area but desire a focus in film studies, a minor in film studies is available. In addition, many students choose to take elective courses in film studies as part of their undergraduate curriculum.
For more information on the film studies major, see www.filmstudies.pitt.edu/.
Required courses
The major in film studies major requires the completion of 36 credits distributed as follows.
- Two critical studies courses, normally taken first
- ENGFLM 0530 / HAA 0801 Film Analysis
- ENGFLM 0540 / HAA 0820 World Film History
- One advanced seminar, normally taken in the senior year
- ENGFLM 1920 Advanced Seminar in Film Studies
- One production course, chosen from the following
- FILMST 0001 Motion Picture Fundamentals
- FILMST 0200 Black and White Photography 1
- FILMST 0400 Introduction to Digital
- At least two courses in Category 1: National Cinemas, Filmmakers. A current Category 1 list from which students can choose their courses is available through the Film Studies Advising office.
- At least two courses in Category 2: Themes, Genres, Theory. A current Category 2 list from which students can choose their courses is available through the Film Studies Advising office.
- Four additional elective courses to complete the major
Additional rules and requirements
- ENGFLM 0530 and ENGFLM 0540 or their equivalents should be completed prior to taking any production courses, any 1000-level film courses, and before declaring the major.
- At least five courses that count toward the major must be taken at the 1000 level.
- No more than five production courses may be counted toward the major, although additional production courses can be taken as electives toward graduation.
- Only one three-credit internship can be counted in the production category toward the major.
- For those students taking three or fewer production courses, two courses within the major may be taken in approved related courses in other departments within Arts and Sciences.
- At least 50% of the major courses must be taken at the University of Pittsburgh.
- A minimum GPA of 2.0 in departmental courses is required for graduation.
- No more than three courses that count toward the major can be taken on an S/NC basis.
- Students must complete at least one W-course in the major.
- Common related areas of study completed by film studies majors to fulfill the Arts and Sciences (12-credit) related area requirement are English writing, English or second language literature, history of art and architecture, and history.
Film studies courses fall into three categories. A current list of courses falling into each category is available through the film studies advising office.
- Category 1: National Cinemas, Filmmakers
- Category 2: Themes, Genres, Theory
- Category 3: Film, Photography, Video Production
Note: All courses in Category 3 are offered by special arrangement through Pittsburgh Filmmakers. Enrollment in these classes will be limited to those whose tuition is covered by Arts and Sciences. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, first to full-time Arts and Sciences students, all of whom must be in good academic standing. To apply for a seat in a Pittsburgh Filmmakers course, students must preregister with the film studies office in room 624 of the Cathedral of Learning two weeks before the first day of Arts and Sciences registration. Failure to attend the first class of the term will mean automatic loss of the seat. Students will not be permitted to take more than one course per term.
Film Studies minor
Required courses
- Two critical studies courses
- ENGFLM 0530 / HAA 0801
- ENGFLM 0540 / HAA 0820
- Four elective courses. Electives must be taken from at least two of the three categories listed. No more than two courses can be taken from Category III.