Department of Cinema

Cinema Major

The Department of Cinema develops both artists and creative thinkers in cinema. It fosters critical appreciation of both innovative and traditional cinematic expression. Students learn how to view works of cinema in their social, economic and historical contexts, as well as in general historical and aesthetic terms. The production program in film and electronic media emphasizes the importance of artistic discovery and self expression while also supporting technical proficiency. Both production and studies courses are valuable to a wide range of students, not only because cinema is a major art and entertainment medium of our time, but also because, increasingly, our experience and exploration of all areas of knowledge is transmitted through the moving image.

Qualified students are encouraged to conclude their work in the department by choosing the senior thesis option. The department encourages studies in the theories and techniques of other artistic disciplines such as music, theater, painting and literature.

Honors Program and Senior Thesis

Senior Thesis is a path to honors. It is a capstone course taken after advanced-level work completed through the regular curriculum. Students who consider taking CINE 499: Senior Thesis should contact one of the Cinema faculty members whom they want to ask to be the faculty adviser of the thesis project before the semester begins. Students must write a project proposal and get approval by the faculty adviser in order to register for CINE 499.

For Production

Students must have completed at least one CINE 400-level production course prior to taking Senior Thesis. Exceptions need approval of all faculty participating in the senior thesis process.

For Film Studies

Students must have completed CINE 321 Film Theory, prior to enrolling in a Senior Thesis. Exceptions need the approval of all faculty participating in the senior thesis process.

Honors

Honors can be awarded as a result of the successful completion of a senior thesis project. This includes a consistent and productive work schedule pursued with faculty advisors where discussions lead to progress. It also includes persuasive presentations to full faculty at mid-term and final critiques. Students must show sufficient growth and self-realization about the direction of the work resulting from the mid-term meeting. This project must be considered a fulfillment of the initial proposal and mid-term discussions by final critique. Students must submit in writing a self-evaluation of their progress and completion of the senior thesis project to all faculty before final critique

Alternate Path to Honors

There are situations where a student is unable to take Senior Thesis, but their work is considered exceptional and worthy of departmental recognition. Students in this situation first need to notify their intention to take this path to the chair or undergraduate director by the fifth week of classes, then submit a portfolio to the chair or undergraduate director by the 10th week of classes for review by the full faculty for consideration for honors. A list of graduating students in this situation will be provided to faculty who may also encourage promising students to apply.

The portfolio must include the following:

A written self-evaluation of the work being considered that addresses ideas surrounding process and conceptual development
Descriptions of individual works for consideration
Links online to work for viewing
Or writing samples, if the Senior Thesis primarily engages with Film Studies.
A short paragraph that explains why you have decided to not take Senior Thesis