BA in Film Studies
Degree Program Description
The BA in Film Studies within the School of Visual Studies offers students a comprehensive exploration of film history, theory, and criticism. Through engaging discussions and critical writing, students analyze historical themes, the works of major directors, and how film influences culture. The program emphasizes the development of clear, thoughtful writing and critical thinking skills, preparing graduates for a wide range of careers. Mizzou’s Film Studies curriculum features courses led by film scholars from the School of Visual Studies, as well as classes taught by faculty in English, Art History, French, German, Italian, Chinese, and other disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach helps students understand the connections between cinema and culture and the ongoing impact of film in today’s world.
Major Program Requirements
Film Studies majors must complete 30 credits in film studies, with a grade of C- or above in every course. A minor is recommended. At least 15 hours in the major must be in courses at the 3000 level or above. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated. No more than 40 credits in Film Studies may be counted toward graduation.
The 30 hours of Film Studies courses for the major must meet the following requirements:
| Major core requirements | ||
| UNIT I: | ||
| FILMS_VS 1800 | Introduction to Film Studies | 3 |
| UNIT II: | ||
| FILMS_VS 2820 & FILMS_VS 2830 | Trends in World Cinema and American Film History I, 1895-1950 | 6 |
| or FILMS_VS 2840 | American Film History II, 1950-Present | |
| UNIT III: | ||
| Electives | 18 | |
| At least six of the elective hours must come from one of the following national cinema courses: | ||
| Italian Cinema | ||
| The Art of Soviet and Russian Cinema | ||
| Indian Cinema | ||
| History of German Film | ||
| Modern Israeli Film | ||
| Brazilian Cinema | ||
| Contemporary Chinese Film | ||
| Twenty-First Century South American Cinema | ||
| Latin American Cinema (in Spanish) | ||
| At least six of the elective hours must come from one of the following courses on theory and method: | ||
| The Philosophy of Film | ||
| Film Themes and Genres | ||
| The Ancient World on Film | ||
| Architecture in Film | ||
| Art and Artists on Film | ||
| Major Directors | ||
| Studies in Film History | ||
| Documentary Film | ||
| Film Themes and Genres | ||
| The Holocaust on Screen | ||
| Film Studies: The Intersection of Documentary Film and Journalism | ||
| Film Theory | ||
| Culture and Media | ||
| Film Themes and Genres | ||
| Adaptation of Literature for Film | ||
| UNIT IV: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Capstone Experience | ||
One 4000-level FILMS_VS course of at least 3 credits | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FILMS_VS 1800 | 3 | FILMS_VS 2830 | 3 |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | Second language Requirement | 4 |
| Missouri State Law Requirement: Social Science from Arts and Science | 3 | Math and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Second language Requirement | 4 | Biological, physical or mathematical science | 3 |
| First-year orientation course | 2 | Humanities, Arts and Science Diversity Requirement | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FILMS_VS 2820 | 3 | FILMS_VS – National Cinema course | 3 |
| Second language Requirement | 4 | Humanities, First Writing Intensive | 3 |
| Social Science, 2000+ | 3 | Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science | 3 |
| Biological or physical science lab | 3 | Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FILMS_VS – Theory and Methods course | 3 | FILMS_VS – Elective (3000+) | 3 |
| FILMS_VS – National Cinema course (3000+) | 3 | Social Science, 2000+ | 3 |
| Behavioral Science | 3 | Humanities, 2000+ | 3 |
| Humanities, 2000+ | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective, 3000+ | 3 |
| Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FILMS_VS – Theory and Methods course (3000+) | 3 | Film 4000-level Capstone | 3 |
| FILMS_VS – Elective (3000+) | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 7 |
| Writing intensive course 3000+ (Film_VS 3820W or DST_VS 3880W recommended) | 3 | Second major, minor, certificate, or elective, 3000+ | 3 |
| Second major, minor, certificate, or elective | 6 | ||
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
-
If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
-
If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.