Film Studies

The Film Studies program strives to instill in its students an understanding of a critical appreciation for the aesthetic qualities intrinsic to moving image media, the technical skills to express their ideas, and a solid work ethic to guide them in the workplace. Through a blending of Critical Studies and Production coursework, the Film Studies major will develop and expand upon the student’s skills and talents as a scholar and filmmaker.

Integrative Studies Requirements

40 credits minimum

Major Requirements

40-52 credits

The Film Studies major provides Critical Studies and Film Production students alike with a strong visual, analytical, and aesthetic background as a common basis for each specialization. The Critical Studies option offers students an extensive range of courses in film history and theory, treating film as a liberal arts discipline, a mass medium, and a technique of expression. The Film Production option provides students with intensive hands-on instruction in motion picture production. Courses emphasize technical and aesthetic aspects of narrative film-making, including script-writing, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound.

Core Courses

24 credits

FILM 250 Video Production
FILM 270 Introduction to Film Analysis
FILM 271 Introduction to Film History
FILM 353 Cinema and Diversity
FILM 355 Film Theory
FILM 495 Seminar

Admissions Criteria

1. Any student may declare Film Studies as their major by formalizing a Film Faculty member as their advisor and then filling out a formal Declaration of Major form with the Registrar's Office.
2. To retain Film Studies major status, a student must achieve an average grade of B or higher in FILM 250, FILM 270, and FILM 271, at which point the student must declare an option within the Film Studies major (either Critical Studies or Film Production) and formally apply to the chosen option as follows.
3. Applying to the Critical Studies Option:
   Students electing to follow the Critical Studies option within the Film Studies major must fulfill the following criteria:
   1. Submission for critical assessment of a coursework portfolio comprised of one paper completed for FILM 270 or FILM 271.
   2. Submission of a Letter of Intent that states the student's intention to major in Critical Studies.
   3. Interview with a Film Studies full-time faculty member, whose approval of portfolio is required for admission.
4. Applying to the Film Production Option:
   Students electing to follow the Film Production option within the Film Studies major must fulfill the following criteria:
   1. Submission for critical assessment of a coursework portfolio comprised of one project completed for FILM 250.
   2. Submission of a Letter of Intent that states the student's intention to major in Film Production.
   3. Interview with a Film Studies full-time faculty, whose approval of portfolio is required for admission.
5. Retention Criteria
   Following application to the Film Studies program and acceptance into the major (and/or subsequent option), students must maintain a GPA within the program curriculum of 2.50 (BC), with a minimum grade of C in any required FILM course (those fulfilling either a Core or Option requirement). Students falling below this minimum will be placed on a one-semester probation, after which, if grade criteria have not been met, students will be dismissed from the program. Students may apply for acceptance to the Film Studies program a maximum of two times (thus, students accepted into the program but later dismissed may reapply once). Further applications will not be permitted.
6. Transfers and Lateral Option Moves
   Students transferring to Keene State College and wishing to declare Film Studies as their major, and students already matriculated at Keene State College and wishing to change their major to Film Studies, must follow all previously listed criteria and guidelines, including portfolio process. Any student wishing to change options within the program must redeclare and formally resubmit per the established application guidelines (Section III: Applying to the Critical Studies Option or Section IV: Applying to the Film Production Option).

Electives

Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.

Degree Requirements

120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level