School of Film

Curriculum Updates 2025 - 26

Starting fall 2025, Film major requirements have changed

Past

 

1) Core Courses I: 131 132

2) Core Courses II: 231, 280, 381, 382, 383, 480

3) Critical and Theoretical Practices (16 Credits)

4) Advanced Studies and Professional Development (12 Credits)

5) International Cinema (8 Credits)

6) Elective Film Courses (12 Credits)

New

1) Foundations in Film and Media (16 credits): 131, 132, 231, 257, or 258

2) Film and Media History and Theory (16 credits): 380, 381, 382, 383, 390*

3) Applied Film and Media Practices (16 credits): 257 or 258, 358, 359, 360, 361 through 369, 374

4) Advanced Studies and Professional Dev (12 credits): 401 through 410, 450, 451, 452, 460, 484, 486, 487

5) Cinema and Media outside of Hollywood (8 credits)

6) Elective Film (12 Credits)

*At least 4 credits in Film and Media History and Theory category need to be FILM 390 Topics in Film and Media Theory

Major Changes

  • Minimum grade for 131 and 132 raised to a B- (All other courses must be graded C or above)
  • Required undergraduate courses: 131, 132, 231, and 257 or 285
  • 380 (Rotating Topics in Film or Media Histories) and 390 (Rotating Topics in Film and Media Theory)
    • The Film History I-III sequence is no longer mandatory. Students may opt to take these courses to fulfill the Film and Media History and Theory requirement.
    • Students can take multiple FILM 380 and FILM 390 courses if their topics are different (minimum 16 credits)
    • AT least 4 credits should be from 390.
    • Redesigned content from 280 and 480 will be offered through 380.
  • Film classes can fulfill the Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR)
    • FILM 370U Black Queer Cinema
    • FILM 370U Cinema Against Empire
    • FILM 384U Antmy of Film: Dghtrs Dust
    • FILM 484 Antmy MV: Daughters of the Dust
    • FILM 487 Art Cin Islamic Reb Iran
    • FILM 487 Cinema Taiwan & Hong Kong
  • Additional Cinema and Media outside of Hollywood and Electives that are offered within the university are listed on the Film Elective List and available from Pathway advisors.

Who Is Impacted By This Change

All students starting in Fall 2025 must follow the new requirements. 

Current students can decide which major requirements they want to complete.

Who Should Not Choose the New Major

If you did not receive at least a B- in both Film 131 and 132, you cannot do the new major. The grade minimums have been raised for both courses.

If you are close to meeting all the requirements for the old major, it may not make sense to change. Check with your Design, Creativity, and Performance Pathway Advisor if you are unsure.

If you decide to work with the new major:

  • Remember to always put FALL 2025 as your calendar year when you run your DARS. This includes when you apply to graduate! The calendar year tells the system which major requirements you are using.
  • If you have already taken FILM 280, you cannot take FILM 390: Classical Film Theory/Film Formalism (they are the same class); FILM 280 will automatically substitute for FILM 390 in the new major. You can still take other topics listed under FILM 390.

If you decide to stick with the old major:

  • Pay attention to the Film newsletter and other communications from the School of Film for quarterly class offerings that can be used as substitutions.
  • If you do take a class that can be subbed, make sure that once the class is in session you ask an advisor to make the substitution in DARS for you.
Film Clapboard
Learn More about 2025-26 Requirements