Film Studies
Film Studies is an interdisciplinary co-major that explores the interaction between film, culture and society. As the medium and art form that has had the most profound and pervasive influence on modern culture, understanding film is fundamental to understanding our world, our societies and ourselves.
Our Co-Major
At its core, film is a language; Film Studies students become fluent in this language and are thus able to critically engage its larger components as they pervade our culture and our daily lives: elements such as image, editing, sequencing, and narrative and temporal relations surround us continually. With this basis, Film Studies students engage in the rigorous analysis of films from a variety of genres, time periods and countries. Film Studies students interested in production also have the opportunity to direct, shoot and edit their own short films.
Film Studies Minor
Scott Lentz, '18, Marketing and Film Studies Co-Major
During my time in the business school, I have developed an interest in the softer science of marketing. What makes people tick? How do I market successfully to different types of people? What considerations must I make in marketing to consumers in other countries? While the data is important, I am always more keen to learn about culture…about people. The Film Studies co-major gave me another opportunity to satisfy this desire. Courses in national cinemas enable me to compare and contrast Hollywood to the film industries of other countries. Courses in film history showed me how film reflects ever-shifting cultural attitudes. But, above all else, the through line of my film courses has been understanding people. Film is a powerful art form that displays the human experience in such a unique way; similarly, Marketing is about connecting business to the human experience. I’ve found this connection between two seemingly disparate majors to be truly fascinating and an integral part to my Miami experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Film Studies is a co-major, and thus must be paired with another major outside of the Department of Media, Journalism & Film. The core requirements of the FST major are:
- MJF 143 Introduction to Media
- MJF 146 Media Aesthetics
- FST 201 Film History and Analysis
- FST 301 Film Theory
- FST 401 Advanced Research Seminar in Film Study
19-23 additional hours are required, and can include courses in national cinemas, genres, auteurs, film production, and other topics.
The student-run Miami Film Society hosts regular screenings on campus, as well as field-trips to off campus screenings and events. See their Facebook page for more information.
Film Studies majors also present their original research in a yearly Film Studies Research Seminar, which is open to the public.
Select students (based on GPA and professor recommendation) may be eligible to attend Miami’s program at the Telluride Film Festival in Telluride, Colorado in September.
Film Studies’ emphasis on interdisciplinary connections and cinema as a global medium means that our students are exposed to diverse ideas and peoples, and consequently, as graduates they are able to establish unique paths for themselves wherever they go.
Students who co-major in Film Studies gain critical thinking, reading, writing and viewing skills. In addition, they develop important skills valuable to most businesses, such as creative research and problem-solving, good communication skills and the ability to work in and make important contributions to a team. Our co-major also allows students to study film production, thus many of our students gain the valuable experience of directing, shooting and editing their own movies. As a result, Film Studies students find employment in a wide range of film and media related fields- as directors, producers, writers, editors, curators, festival programmers, marketers, designers, events managers, teachers, or even professors.
Because this degree is a co-major, FST requires students to have a primary major. That major can be any major in the University (except another co-major).
Yes, internships are periodically available for students who meet the application requirements (GPA and recommendation by professor). FST students have done internships at places such as the Cincinnati Film Commission, and opportunities with other organizations should be available in the future.
148 Williams Hall
513-529-4507
hegartkt@miamioh.edu
Faculty and Mentors
- Kerry Hegarty | Associate Professor, Area Coordinator | hegartkt@miamioh.edu
- Bruce Drushel | Professor, Chair of MJF | drushebe@miamioh.edu
- Kathleen German | Professor | germankm@miamioh.edu
- Andy Rice | Assistant Professor | riceda@miamioh.edu
- Hugo Rios | Visiting Assistant Professor | riosh@miamioh.edu
- David Sholle | Associate Professor | sholled@miamioh.edu
- Annie Dell'Ariaa | Assistant Professor, Art History
- Mila Ganeva | Professor, German
- Elisabeth Hodges | Associate Professor, French
- Mariana Ivanova | Assistant Professor, German
- Katie Johnson | Professor, English
- Jose Dominguez Burdalo | Associate Professor, Spanish
- Erin Edwards | Associate Professor, English
- Daniele Fioretti | Lecturer, Italian
- Paula Gandara | Professor, Portuguese
- Nalin Jayasena | Associate Professor, English
- Paul B. Larson | Professor, Mathematics
- Elaine Miller | Professor, Philosophy
- Steve Norris | Professor, History
- Noriko Reider | Professor, Japanese
- Liang Shi | Professor, Chinese
- Haosheng Yang | Associate Professor, Chinese
- John Heyda | Associate Professor, English
- Pete Martin | Emeritus Senior Instructor, Department of English
- Sante Matteo | Professor, Italian
- Peter Rose | Professor, Classics
- David Schloss | Professor, English