Program Overview

The film and visual media studies program is open to all Brandeis undergraduates. To enroll in the program, consult with a member of the film and visual media studies committee and fill out declaration forms from the Office of Academic Affairs.

The film and visual media studies curriculum is designed to provide a broad overview of the history of the moving image, to develop expertise in cinematic style and cultural meaning, to lend theoretical sophistication to an understanding of the moving image and to ensure some appreciation of the practical and technical side of motion picture production.

A field especially congenial to interdisciplinary inquiry, film and visual media studies is a practical complement to a range of established concentrations for which an expertise in visual style and motion picture history is becoming ever more important — American studies; English and American literature; fine arts, German, Russian and Asian languages and literature; history; politics; sociology; and theater arts.

Required Courses for Major

Students must complete nine courses:

  1. Core course: FILM 100a (Introduction to the Moving Image)
  2. Eight additional courses from the approved film and visual media studies curriculum that must include one course in non-American cinema and one course (and no more than three) in a creative aspect of film production

Required Courses for Minor

Students must complete six courses:

  1. Core course: FILM 100a (Introduction to the Moving Image)
  2. Five additional courses from the approved film and visual media studies curriculum that must include one course in non-American cinema and one course in a creative aspect of film production