Minor in Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts

Our students become talented critical thinkers who understand the history, culture and aesthetics of cinema, and they employ their skills in visual analysis and media literacy in a range of satisfying careers.

The minor in cinema studies and moving image arts allows students to explore cinema history, culture and aesthetics alongside their major area of study. Students who pursue the minor study film history, aesthetics, criticism, classical genres and groundbreaking directors from the U.S. and abroad. With the minor, students are able to acquire an edge in visual analysis, critical thinking and media literacy.

  • Become proficient and knowledgeable in film and the visual arts
  • Learn to critically study and analyze film
  • Complement your undergraduate studies with a minor

Learn from our distinguished faculty of scholars and working artists

The department supports two major regional film exhibition venues: The International Film Series and First Person Cinema

Learn with state-of-the-art systems and technology, including the latest editing software (such as Adobe Premiere Pro, AVID Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve); a greenscreen; Super 8, 16mm and 35mm cameras; a darkroom; and a RED Digital Cinema camera

Be successful.

A minor in cinema studies allows you to enter the workforce with an understanding of visual art and storytelling.

 

Broaden your employment possibilities with additional knowledge and skills gained from a minor

 

Videographer, multimedia journalist, film director, production assistant and editor are common opportunities to apply this minor

 

Employment of film and video editors is projected to grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports

Academic Plan & Requirements

The cinema studies and moving image arts minor is open to students in any field. To earn the minor, students must complete a minimum of 19 credit hours in cinema studies courses.

Courses include: 

  • One intro to cinema studies class
  • One film history class
  • 12 credit hours from elective courses in the program

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience. Our department hosts a wide variety of artistic, academic and extracurricular programs to enhance students’ cinema-immersion experience.

Be inspired.

Graduates from the Department of Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts have gone on to successful film careers across the globe, with numerous accolades ranging from Academy Award nominations, to Emmy awards, to one grad being one of the youngest filmmakers ever to join the Director’s Guild of America.

Some alumni of the program include:  

Film producer (Zero Dark Thirty, American Hustle, Detroit)

Danielle Gerber

Production executive, AMC Networks/AMC Studios

Television producer, Ryan Murphy Productions (Nip/Tuck, Glee, American Horror Story, The People vs. O.J. Simpson)

Television and film producer and director (South Park, Team America: World Police)

Associate professor of cinema studies, University of Southern California

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover