Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies in Film and Media Studies
Why study film and media?
The Department of Film and Media Studies unites the inquiry of the academic with the practice and technique of the artist. Scholars and filmmakers work and study together in an environment of mutual encouragement and collegiality.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.
The FMS major does not require an application, however, if a student decides to add the FMS major or change their major from an area of study outside of the School of the Arts, they will need to submit a Change of School form before the major can be added to their degree plan.
Film & Media Studies Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | ||
FMS 100 is a required course of the major. Students are strongly advised to satsify 3 credits of their Core 34 Arts and Humanties by taking this course. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree Requirements | 16-21 | |
| Students will follow the BA or BGS degree specific requirements based on their degree selection. BA students will demonstrate proficiency in a Non-English Language, complete a Quantitative Literacy course, a Laboratory or Field Experience, and two semesters of Writing. BGS students will complete a minor, two certificates, or a second major and a Career Preparation Course. Please see the College's undergraduate tab for more detailed information on these requirements. | ||
1 credit hour of a Laboratory of Field Experience, 6 credit hours of Writing, and 3 credit hours of Quantitative Literacy are required for all BA students. These requirements will be met through the completion of the KU Core 34. | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| FMS 100 | Introduction to Film and Media | 3 |
| or FMS 101 | Introduction to Film and Media, Honors | |
| FMS 200 | Film and Media Aesthetics | 3 |
| FMS 275 | Foundations of Filmmaking Practice | 4 |
| FMS 340 | Film and Media Theory | 3 |
| History. Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of the Silent Film | ||
| History of the American Sound Film | ||
| History of the International Sound Film to 1950 | ||
| History of the International Sound Film Post 1950 | ||
| Major Electives | 5 | |
| Satisfied by any FMS course. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Concentration Coursework (see below) | 15 | |
| General Electives | 30-25 | |
| Students will need to complete additional general elective credits to reach the required 120 hours. | ||
| Capstone | ||
| FMS 485 | Capstone in Film and Media Studies | 4 |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major, of which 8 must be at the junior/senior (300+) level.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Culture & Studies Concentration | ||
| NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Production | 6 | |
| Undergraduate Production Seminar in: _____ | ||
| Storytelling with Digital Media | ||
| Intermediate Screenwriting | ||
| Animation | ||
| Intermediate Filmmaking Practice | ||
| Cinematography | ||
| Post-Production | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Experimental Production | ||
| Music Video Production | ||
| Game Development | ||
| Culture & Studies | 9 | |
| Undergraduate Studies Seminar in: _____ | ||
| History of the Silent Film | ||
| History of the American Sound Film | ||
| History of the International Sound Film to 1950 | ||
| History of the International Sound Film Post 1950 | ||
| History of African-American Images in Film | ||
| Survey of Japanese Film | ||
| Latin American Cinema | ||
| Anti-war Film | ||
| Studies in Italian Cinema | ||
| Contemporary Japanese Film | ||
| Indigenous Film and Media | ||
| US Diversity in Visual Culture | ||
| American Popular Culture of: _____ | ||
| Documentary Film and Video | ||
| Experimental Film and Video | ||
| International Women Filmmakers | ||
| Videogame Theory and Design | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Production Concentration | ||
| NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Production | 9 | |
| Undergraduate Production Seminar in: _____ | ||
| Storytelling with Digital Media | ||
| Intermediate Screenwriting | ||
| Animation | ||
| Intermediate Filmmaking Practice | ||
| Cinematography | ||
| Post-Production | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Experimental Production | ||
| Music Video Production | ||
| Game Development | ||
| Culture & Studies | 6 | |
| Undergraduate Studies Seminar in: _____ | ||
| History of the Silent Film | ||
| History of the American Sound Film | ||
| History of the International Sound Film to 1950 | ||
| History of the International Sound Film Post 1950 | ||
| History of African-American Images in Film | ||
| Survey of Japanese Film | ||
| Latin American Cinema | ||
| Anti-war Film | ||
| Studies in Italian Cinema | ||
| Contemporary Japanese Film | ||
| Indigenous Film and Media | ||
| US Diversity in Visual Culture | ||
| American Popular Culture of: _____ | ||
| Documentary Film and Video | ||
| Experimental Film and Video | ||
| International Women Filmmakers | ||
| Videogame Theory and Design | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Sample 4-year plans for the BA degree in Film & Media Studies with the following concentrations can be found here: Culture and Studies and Production, or by using the left-side navigation.
Sample 4-year plans for the BGS degree in Film & Media Studies with the following concentrations can be found here: Culture and Studies and Production, or by using the left-side navigation.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate and write clearly, effectively, and with an awareness of ethical appropriateness about film and other media. (Critical Analysis & Written expression)
- Create meaningful, ethically appropriate stories/messages/meanings through a visual medium- be it film, animation, or digital media. (Creative Expression & A/V Production)
- Understand and appreciate the role of film and other media in the development of culture and the importance of diversity in culture. (Acquisition and synthesis of a broad range of cultural knowledge, historical context and creative works)
- Continue education in graduate or professional school or gain employment in an occupation that utilizes skills learned at KU. (Application)
Departmental Honors
An undergraduate interested in honors in film and media studies must present a written declaration of intention to the department’s honors coordinator as early as possible in the junior or senior year. The following are required:
- A grade-point average at the time of declaration and at graduation of at least 3.5 in film and media studies courses.
- Six hours in FMS 498 Honors Seminar. Enrollment in this course must be approved by the honors coordinator. Students in the honors seminar work under the direction of one instructor for each semester. The instructor conducts an examination at the end of each semester’s work and assigns a grade. Credit only is given to students who complete the work assigned for any semester but do not complete the requirements for honors. Students may change area of interest or instructor at the beginning of a semester with the consent of the honors coordinator.
- Satisfactory performance in a final oral examination given approximately one month before graduation.