Film Studies

With a Film Studies minor, you will grow your storytelling and critical thinking skills by immersing yourself in cinema and exploring the vision of diverse filmmakers.

Overview

The Film Studies minor invites you to explore the art, history, and cultural impact of cinema. You'll study how filmmakers use image and sound to tell compelling stories and how those stories reflect or challenge social, political, and historical realities. Through coursework in film theory, global cinema, screenwriting, and documentary production, you'll build critical tools for analyzing film as both artistic expression and cultural artifact.

Housed in the English Program but open to all majors, the Film Studies minor complements a wide range of interests—from psychology to history and international studies to biology—and prepares you for careers or graduate study in film, media, communications, and beyond.

Your Minor Took You Where?

Film Studies minors have gone on to a variety of graduate programs and careers.

Employers and Professions

Paramount Studios
FX
AMC
CBS
Independent filmmaker
Wrigley Media Group

Postgraduate Study

Savannah College of Art and Design
Ohio University
University of Southern California
Loyola Marymount University

Curriculum

As a Film Studies minor, you'll take five courses that blend critical analysis with thematic and historical exploration. Two core courses—Introduction to Film and Film Theory—establish your foundation in film history, cinematic language, and key ideas prevalent in the film world, including genre, audience reception, and artistic intention.

You'll then select three electives from an approved list, allowing you to tailor your experience based on your creative and academic interests.

Experiential Learning

Students engage in hands-on learning experiences and reflection to develop skills and increase knowledge retention.

In addition to your Film Studies classes, you’ll dive into hands-on experiences that connect your academic interests with real-world applications. Take part in study abroad programs that highlight film studies or film production and develop your creative voice through capstone filmmaking projects. Collaborations with film production companies will build your understanding of this unique industry and area of study, preparing you to apply what you learn in classroom to the real world.

Internships

We're committed to helping students find quality internship experiences in the career area of their choice.

As a Film Studies minor, you can pursue internships that bridge your academic studies with industry experience. Opportunities have included editing work with Lunacy Productions, a film production internship in Tahiti, and a production assistantship with Wrigley Media Group. These internships offer hands-on exposure to the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking, helping you build skills and connections for future careers.

Careers

Our extraordinary liberal arts and sciences education prepares students for meaningful lives and careers.

A Film Studies minor can open doors to a wide range of careers that value creativity, storytelling, and media fluency. Graduates have gone on to roles in project management, writing production and film making. Whether you're interested in production, creation, or critical analysis, this minor helps you build a strong foundation for success in the film industry, academia, and beyond.