DESCRIPTION
A minor in cinema studies provides students the critical vocabulary and perspective with which to analyze motion pictures and related media within larger artistic, cultural, historical, political, linguistic, and global contexts. This minor also includes opportunities to take classes in certain aspects of pre-production and filmmaking—such as digital video and screenwriting—such that students can have hands-on experience with the medium they are studying. Because of the variety of cinema content, analysis, technology, and distribution, a cinema studies minor would complement almost any major.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The cinema studies minor is an interdisciplinary minor consisting of 18 credit hours from the list of courses below. The same course may not satisfy requirements for both the major and the minor. Students who complete relevant internships, study abroad courses, or special topics courses will consult with the cinema studies director prior to enrollment in the course for approval.
***ATTENTION CURRENT STUDENTS AND ADVISORS***
Many of the production courses that were previously for the Cinema minor are now exclusively for the BFA in Film Production. As such, you may not enroll in those courses (except in extremely rare circumstances).
To meet your requirements for cinema production hours, students should take the courses noted below, especially CINE 301 and CINE 302, which are the new production courses designed specifically for Cinema minors.
***ATTENTION CURRENT STUDENTS AND ADVISORS***
CINEMA STUDIES COURSES
Please note that many of these courses have prerequisites. You should check with the department in which the course is offered to determine prerequisites.
CINE 396. Festival Programming
By helping to program the Oxford Film Festival, students will examine the film festival industry from the inside. Offered only in Fall semesters.
CINE 399. Special Topics in Cinema
Content varies. May be repeated once for credit with a change in topic. **Only counts toward Cinema Studies when the topic is not on aspects of pre-production, production, or post-production.**
CHIN 396. Chinese Cinema
Study of the evolution of Chinese cinema through selected films to explore the nature and development of contemporary Chinese aesthetics and culture.
ENG 310. Introduction to Cinema Studies
This course is an overview of cinema history and an introduction to the study of cinema form and criticism. It is a lecture course with weekly film showings.
ENG 311. Studies in Cinema/Media Genres
ENG 312 Studies in Cinema/Media History
ENG 313/MLLL 361. Introduction to World Cinema
This course is a study of world cultures through cinema and/or other media. All films are subtitled in English.
ENG 314 The Cinematic South
This course is an examination of Southern culture as perceived in film, television, documentaries, and/or other forms of visual media.
ENG 386/G ST 386. Gender on Film
Students examine issues of femininity, masculinity, and sexuality within racial and national identity as represented in mainstream or independent films.
ENG 411. Special Topics in Cinema/Media Studies
ENG 412. Special Topics in Cinema/Media Theory, History
ENG 413. Special Topics in Media/Cultural Studies
ENG 414 Special Topics in the Cinematic South
This course is a critical analysis of Southern culture as perceived in cinema, documentaries, television plays, and/or other forms of visual media, and (when relevant) their literary sources.
ENG 427. Shakespeare on Film
The study of Shakespeare’s plays in action through an analysis of film.
FR 361. French and Francophone Cinema
Advanced study of the major developments in French and Francophone cinema.
FR 399. Special Topics
Topics in French film may be offered. May be repeated once for credit.
G ST 386/ENGL 386. Gender on Film
Students examine issues of femininity, masculinity, and sexuality within racial and national identity as represented in mainstream or independent films.
GERM 361. German Cinema
Topic or genre-oriented course about German film.
HIS 347. Topics in Film and History
Cinematic representations and interpretations of the past as a way to link popular culture with the academic study of history. Content varies.
HIS 389. Samurai and Cinema
This course explores the transformation of the bushido (way of the warrior) ethos from the late sixteenth century to the present through film and text. The class will examine both seminal primary textual documents and movies as we explore two central themes; the historical reality of the samurai and the construction of samurai mythology both in Japan and the West on screen.
ITAL 361. Italian Cinema
Study of the evolution of Italian cinema through selected films to explore the nature and development of contemporary Italian aesthetics and culture.
MLLL 302. China through Literature and Film
Critical examination of modern Chinese culture through analysis of 20th century Chinese literature (in English translation) and films (with English subtitles).
MLLL 361. Introduction to World Cinema
Study of world cultures through film. All films are subtitled in English. Seminar discussion with weekly screenings of films. Specific offerings may concentrate on a country, language, style, region, or movement.
PHIL 355. Philosophy of Film
Introduction to theories of meaning, aesthetics, and value that inform interpretation of film.
PORT 361. Brazilian Cinema
Study of the evolution of Brazilian cinema through selected films to explore the nature and development of contemporary Brazilian aesthetics and culture.
REL 386. Religion and Film
This course explores religious issues through the visual narrative of film. Methodologies from film studies and religious studies are utilized to analyze such themes as tragedy and suffering, truth and justice, beauty and love, sacrifice and redemption in domestic and international cinema.
RUSS 361. Russian Cinema
Study of the evolution of Russian cinema through selected films to explore the nature and development of contemporary Russian aesthetics and culture.
SPAN 361. Cinema in Spanish
An analysis of films from Spain and/or Spanish America within their social, political, and historical contexts.
SPAN 561. Advanced Topics in Cinema in Spanish
Advanced study of topics related to films made in Spanish from Spain or Spanish America. The topics may be in culture, esthetics, language use, the history of film, cinema production, or other areas.
THEA 203. Drama in Film
A study of film acting and production techniques in relation to various forms of drama considered through viewing and discussion of major dramatic films.
THEA 204. Comedy in Film
A study of film acting and production techniques in various forms of comedy considered through viewing and discussion of major comic films.
THEA 205. Cinema Survey 1: 1880s to 1945
A survey of the film industry from the late 1880s through the end of World War II, from the invention of the medium through the development of sound.
THEA 206. Cinema Survey 2: 1945 to 21st Century
A survey of the film industry from the end of World War II through the beginning of the 21st century, from the development of sound into the digital era.
THEA 323. Film and Aristotle
This course examines how human emotions are expressed in the films and explores their effects on the audience.
CINEMA PRODUCTION COURSES
Please note that many of these courses have prerequisites. You should check with the department in which the course is offered to determine prerequisites.
ART 384. Digital Video
Technical and conceptual foundation of time-based media. Includes single camera production, storyboard production, lighting and post-production editing.
ART 484. Advanced Digital Video
Advanced problems in studio techniques and conceptual development related to digital video. Emphasis on individual expression and research. May be repeated twice for credit for a maximum of 9 hours.
ART 584. Digital Video
Technical and conceptual foundation of time-based media for advanced art students. Includes single camera production, storyboard production, lighting and post production editing. May be repeated twice.
CINE 301. Special Topics in Cinema Production
This course introduces students to the theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking (conceived broadly to include film, television, streaming video, advertisements, and more). The emphasis on the course can be on any aspect of cinema production, excluding screenwriting and the elements of filmmaking generally categorized as post-production, such as editing. The instruction in this course emphasizes applied knowledge and hands-on experience. As a special topics course, this course may be repeated when a different topic is offered.
CINE 302. Special Topics in Cinema Post-Production
This course introduces students to the theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking (conceived broadly to include film, television, streaming video, advertisements, and more) that traditionally occur during post- production, such as film editing, sound editing, ADR and foley, scoring, sound mixing, titles, and color correction. The instruction in this course emphasizes applied knowledge and hands-on experience. As a special topics course, this course may be repeated when a different topic is offered.
CINE 399. Special Topics in Cinema
Content varies. May be repeated once for credit with a change in topic. **Only counts toward Cinema Production when the topic is on aspects of pre-production, production, or post-production.**
ENG 304. Screenwriting Workshop
An introduction to the craft of screenwriting through reading and writing.
ENG 403. Advanced Screenwriting Workshop
Advanced study and practice of the craft of screenwriting.
S ST 537. Documenting the South in Film
Analysis of recent and past documentary films on the South. Students will also produce films.
THEA 279. Costume Design for Film and Television
An introduction to costumes for feature films, television, commercials, and video.
THEA 307. Advanced Acting for the Screen
An introduction to acting for the screen through readings, screenings, and on-camera performance.
THEA 308. Comedic Acting for the Screen
Advanced study in acting for the screen through readings, screenings, and on-camera performance.
THEA 463. Writing from Stage to Screen
This course provides students with a working knowledge of the fundamentals of playwriting and screenwriting within the overall theatre and filmmaking processes with emphasis on character development and structure.
THEA 479. Costume Design for Film and Television
Explores designing costumes for film through discussion, projects, and in-class assignments.
Although they still appear on some reports, the following courses are now exclusively for students in the BFA in Film Production. Cinema minors should instead take one of the courses listed above.
THEA 250. Film Production I
This course will introduce students to professional equipment, techniques, and set protocol for single-camera narrative film production while working in small groups to create a series of short films.
THEA 261. Sound Design for Cinema I
This course is an introduction to sound editing and sound design. The course examines the place of sound in cinema, both artistic and technological. The course will cover the basics of sound, microphones, and analog-to-digital conversion. Students will learn to edit sound assignments with current sound design software and technologies.
THEA 262: Fundamentals of Film Production
This fun, hands-on course covers the process of making a short film from beginning to end. Teaches fundamental techniques of basic film production including development, production, and post-production. Open to all majors and has no prerequisites.
THEA 305. Introduction to Screenwriting
Introduction to the fundamentals of screenwriting with emphasis on character development and structure.
THEA 350. Editing I
An introduction to nonlinear editing for narrative motion pictures and the editor’s role within the overall cinema production process.
THEA 354. Directing for the Screen I
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of directing for the screen through readings, screenings, discussion, and motion picture production.
THEA 360. Cinematography I
This course serves to familiarize students with various digital cameras. The emphasis is on the concepts needed to control the quality of images created. This course also provides the student with the skills needed to reproduce various lighting conditions and create different moods.
THEA 362. Motion Picture Lighting
Students learn techniques for lighting in the field as well as in a studio environment. The course will emphasize designing lighting setups and creating mood through lighting and blending an overall feel and texture for a short movie. Students will also learn lighting techniques for chroma key, moving objects, silhouettes, dealing with shadows, and creating depth in their lighting designs.
THEA 406. Screenwriting II
Advanced study of screenwriting with emphasis on character development and three-act structure.
THEA 450. Editing II
Advanced study of nonlinear editing for narrative motion pictures with emphasis on audio processing, motion graphics, color grading, and color correction.
THEA 454. Directing for the Screen II
Advanced study of the theory and practice of directing for the screen through readings, screenings, discussion, and motion picture production.
THEA 460. Cinematography II
This course is a continuation of Introduction to Cinematography and is dedicated to deepening the student’s understanding of how to master control over image production in digital formats. The goal is to gain control over image production in practical situations.
THEA 461. Sound Design for Cinema II
This course provides an advanced understanding of sound design for motion picture, deepening and refining the knowledge and techniques learned in Introduction to Sound Design.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDY CINEMA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
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