Our Film Studies program focuses on the history, theory and criticism of film and television. Students learn how to critically analyze analyze the impact of film and television on individuals and society; make connections between media, historical themes and cultural change; and compare different formats.
Film and media cross time periods and locations, languages and cultures. The courses that a well-rounded Film Studies student will take are equally as diverse. The major blends courses in Film Studies with classes from English, Art History, Comparative Literature, History, Religious Studies, French, Italian, Japanese, and other languages.
UWM students have the advantage of being in the heart of the largest city in Wisconsin, home to a lively art house movie scene, a growing independent film industry, and a thriving cinematic culture.
Students who are more interested in film and video production process and who are looking to become a filmmaker or videographer may wish to also explore the majors and minors offered through UWM's Peck School of the Arts.
Requirements
To complete the minor, students are required to take 18 credits of Film Studies Program approved courses. Students must attain a 2.0 GPA in UWM credits attempted for the minor. In addition, the College requires that students attain a 2.0 GPA in all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 290 | Introduction to Film Studies | 3 |
| or ENGLISH/FILMSTD 291 | Introduction to Television Studies | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Film I: Development of an Art | ||
| History of Film II: Development of an Art | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 additional credits from intermediate electives (see below) | 3 | |
| Select 9 credits from advanced electives (see below) | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Intermediate-Level Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTHIST/ENGLISH/FILMSTD 111 | Entertainment Arts: Film, Television, and the Internet | 3 |
| ARTHIST/FILMSTD 206 | History of Film II: Development of an Art | 3 |
| COMPLIT 233 | Literature and Film: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 286 | Writing about Film and Television | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 291 | Introduction to Television Studies (if not selected above) | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 294 | Game Culture | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 295 | Women and Film | 3 |
| FILM 201 | Introduction to Experimental Media Arts | 3 |
| FILM 203 | Media Workshop: | 3 |
| FILM 220 | 16mm Filmmaking | 3 |
| FILM 222 | Digital Filmmaking | 3 |
| FILMSTD 212 | Intermediate Topics in Film and Television Studies: | 3 |
| FILMSTD 299 | Ad Hoc: | 1-6 |
| ITALIAN 229 | Italian Cinema | 3 |
Advanced-Level Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTHIST/FILMSTD 307 | Film Directors: | 3 |
| ARTHIST/FILMSTD 308 | Film Styles: | 3 |
| COMPLIT 360 | Seminar in Literature and Cultural Experience: (New Chinese Cinemas) | 3 |
| COMPLIT 461 | Film-Fiction Interaction: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 312 | Topics in Film, Television and Digital Studies: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 316 | World Cinema: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 320 | Studies in Film and Television Authorship: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 329 | Film and Literature | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 380 | Media and Society: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 383 | Cinema, Television, and Genre: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 391 | Television Criticism and Theory | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 393 | Entertainment Industries: | 3 |
| ENGLISH/FILMSTD 394 | Theories of Digital Culture: | 3 |
| FILMSTD/JEWISH 350 | Global Jewish Film and Television: | 3 |
| FILMSTD 395 | Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: | 3 |
| FILMSTD 412 | Global Cinema and Media: | 3 |
| FILMSTD 489 | Internship in Film Studies, Upper Division | 1-6 |
| FILMSTD 499 | Ad Hoc: | 1-6 |
| FILMSTD 669 | Screening Sexuality: | 3 |
| FILMSTD 699 | Independent Work | 1-3 |
| FRENCH 451 | Cinema of the French-Speaking World: | 3 |
| ITALIAN 629 | Major Film Directors: | 3 |
| JAMS 562 | Media Studies and Culture | 3 |
| JAMS 620 | Seminar in Global Media | 3 |
Letters & Science Minor Advising
Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.
Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.