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: | ||
| FILMS_VS 2850 | Italian Cinema | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 2865 | The Art of Soviet and Russian Cinema | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3490 | Indian Cinema | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3830 | History of German Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3845 | Modern Israeli Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3880 | Contemporary Chinese Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 4963 | Latin American Cinema (in Spanish) | 2-3 |
| At least six of the elective hours must come from one of the following courses on theory and method: | ||
| FILMS_VS 2010 | The Philosophy of Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3420 | Black American Cinema | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3430 | Queer Cinema | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3440 | Women Directors | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 2860 | Film Themes and Genres | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3775 | The Ancient World on Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3780 | Architecture in Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3785 | Art and Artists on Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3820 | Major Directors | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3850 | Studies in Film History | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3855 | Documentary Film | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3861 | Film Themes and Genres | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 3865 | The Holocaust on Screen | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 4370 | Film Studies: The Intersection of Documentary Film and Journalism | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 4810 | Film Theory | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 4840 | Culture and Media | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 4860 | Film Themes and Genres | 3 |
| FILMS_VS 4935 | Adaptation of Literature for Film | 3 |
| UNIT IV: | ||
| FILMS_VS 4970 | Capstone: Visual Studies Symposium | 3 |
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 | 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.
- Change your Major. If you are considering changing your undergraduate major or are choosing between several majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573) 884-9700 or through the Discovery Center service in your MU Connect success network.
- Decided on a Major. 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 that major.
- Identify your Interests and Strengths. If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values, and talents, visit the staff at the MU Career Center. No appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- Explore MU Majors. If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit Majors at Mizzou or the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.