The Cinema Studies - Liberal Arts Program explores the world of cinema by examining a range of perspectives from the director’s chair to the audience member in the theater.
Cinema Studies students receive a broad general education background that prepares them for transfer to four-year colleges, where they can continue their studies in film, media, communication, writing or literature.
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Comprehend, recognize & analyze the basic elements that contribute to film production (Narrative patterns and structure, mise-en-scène, editing, soundtrack, cinematography, camera angles, costume, makeup, etc.).
- Recognize and utilize the basic technology and artistic language of motion pictures and cinema studies to write and speak insightfully & with disciplinary authority about film and culture.
- Differentiate and discuss major historical trends and influences in cinema development from the pre-silent era to the present.
- Outline stages in development in the fields of cinematography and sound recording and discuss their impact on the creative process in film.
- Distinguish and describe characteristics of national cinemas, international film movements, major and minor filmmakers in various traditions, the economic, legal, and political forces governing film industry practice and theory.
Prerequisites
Students must demonstrate Algebra I competency before taking courses in the major. Algebra I competency may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or by completing the appropriate class. Students must also have a grade of “C” or better in one year of high school laboratory science.