Undergraduate
The Cinema Studies Curriculum is formulated upon a systematic historical, critical, and practice-oriented approach to the study of cinema. Students in the combined (formerly "dual") major or the minor are exposed to film as art, and become aware of the elements that comprise narrative film, such as editing, mise-en-scene, sound, and cinematography; they explore different modes of cinematic narrative, in particular, the differences between Hollywood and art cinema; they broaden their understanding of international cinema and become conscious of the characteristics of distinctive national cinemas, with an in-depth study of at least three different cinemas; and they examine the productive interchange between film and the literary text.
In many of the Cinema Studies offerings, students are encouraged to reflect upon the crucial role of film in the art movements of the twentieth century and to make connections between the classroom and practical experience in small groups. A number of screenwriting and production courses allow students to make practical applications of their analytical skills.
The combined major in Cinema Studies is offered with the following pairings: Communication Studies, English, Journalism, Languages/Literatures/Cultures, Mathematics, Philosophy, and Theatre. Students are encourage to create their own combinations by contacting the relevant programs and departments. Cinema Studies has also created a half major that students can apply to combine with any other major. There is a short approval process for new combinations.
Cooperative Education placements (arranged through the student's other major) and internships demonstrate to students how the fundamental aspects of the Cinema Studies combined major: visual literacy, effective communication, collaborative teamwork, critical thinking, and analytical skills?are valuable in a variety of work settings. The Cooperative Education and/or Internship experience assists Cinema Studies combined majors in assessing their short and long-term goals in terms of undergraduate educational focus, graduate school preparation, and career aspirations. It helps them to understand their own values, ethics, and ideas in the context of the professions that they experience while on Co-op/Internship. Their placements also serve to expose them to a variety of professional people who may serve as mentors in the present and future.
The following types of organizations typically provide Cinema Studies combined majors with the best opportunities to develop research, writing and visual communication skills, as well as analytical and critical skills relevant to their major(s): Website development companies, Documentary production companies, Advertising agencies, Boston-based film units of commercial film productions, Independent feature productions, WGBH, Cable companies, Film distributors, Art houses, Museum of Fine Arts film program, and area Film Festivals. See the relevant pages on this website for more information.