Film Studies
An Interdiscplinary Minor

Requirements
Program Description
Faculty
Request Information
Proposed Film Studies Major

Dr. Robert Holtzclaw, Advisor
PH 332, 898-2651

Students will choose from the following list eighteen (18) hours (six courses), with the provision that no more than nine (9) hours (three courses) may be taken in any single department and that the students must take courses from at least three (3) of the five (5) participating departments.

 
ANTHROPOLOGY 3640 Visual Anthropology
ENGLISH 3080 Women in Film 
ENGLISH 3650 Literature and Film
ENGLISH 3660 Studies in Film Genre
ENGLISH 3670 Film History
ENGLISH 4650 Film Theory and Criticism
ENGLISH 4860 Special Topics in Film Studies 
FRENCH 4020 Topics in French Film
JOURNALISM/RADIO-TV 3000 Introduction to Motion Pictures 
PHILOSOPHY 3060 Philosophy and Film
POLITICAL SCIENCE 3100 Politics and Film 
POLITICAL SCIENCE 3200 British Government and Film
RECORDING INDUSTRY 4570 The Art of Soundtrack Design
SOCIOLOGY 4200 African-American Film, Theater, and Television Images
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Program Description
The interdisciplinary minor in Film Studies has been created to enhance the educational opportunities available to students interested in learning about, and through, film. As a narrative art form, film shares a strong link with both novels and drama; elements of literary study such as characterization, plot, conflict and setting can be explored through movies in ways that increase student understanding of the terminology and processes of narrative. Thematic issues--both the great, timeless themes and those unique to a particular period or culture--are also available for examination and contemplation through the world of cinema, providing varied perspectives and prompting more student thought on complex issues. An appreciation for the artistic/stylistic elements of movies, and the language used to discuss them, is another benefit of film study, developed through observation and analysis of mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and sound. And finally, movies take students to other places and other times, encouraging them to consider issues and viewpoints outside their own circumstances and ideas. In the process, students involved in film study often develop a greater appreciation of cultural diversity and a stronger knowledge of human history, in addition to learning about the history and artistry of the cinema itself. These features--narrative, thematic, stylistic, and cultural--combine to make the Film Studies minor a challenging, enlightening, and enjoyable field of study for interested students.

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Film Studies Faculty

Dr. Linda Badley, English (Ph.D., University of Louisville) 
Dr. David P. Badger, Journalism (Ph.D., University of Tennessee) 
Dr. William Brantley, English (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin) 
Dr. Gaylord Brewer, English (Ph.D., Ohio State University) 
Dr. Mark E. Byrnes, Political Science (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) 
Cosette Collier, Recording Industry (M.A., University of Memphis)
Dr. Michael Dunne, English
(Ph.D., Louisiana State University) 
Tom Harris (M.A.T. Vanderbilt University) 
Dr. Robert Holtzclaw, English (Ph.D., University of Tennessee) 
Dr. David Lavery, English (Ph.D., University of Florida) 
Dr. June H. McCash, Foreign Languages and Literatures (Ph.D., Emory University) 
Dr. Melodie Phillips, Management and Marketing (Ph.D., L.S.U.)
Dr. Jack A. Purcell, Philosophy (Ph.D., Purdue University) 
Robert L. Rucker, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work (MSW, Washington University) 

Summer 2001 Courses in Film
Course No. Course Name Meeting (Session) Instructor
ENGL 365-01 Literature and Film MTWR, 1250-310  (II) Harris
ENGL 486-01 Special Topics in Film Studies: Documentary Film MTWRF, 100-400 (I) Holtzclaw
ENGL 486-02 Special Topics in Film Studies: The Gangster Film MTWR 1010-1230 (II) Lavery
FREN 415 Topics in French Film MTWRF, 900-1200 (I) McCash
JOUR 300 Intro to Motion Pictures MTWR 1250-310 (II) Kalwinsky
PS 310-01 Politics and Film MTWRF 900-1200 (I) Byrnes
PS 310-02 Politics and Film MTW 600-900 (II) Byrnes
RIM 457-01 Soundtrack Design MTWRF, 345-645 (I) Collier
SOC 420-01 African American Film, Theatre, and Television Images MTWRF, 1230-330 Rucker
 

Fall 2001 Courses in Film

Course No. Course Name Meeting Instructor
ENGL 3650-01 Literature and Film W, 300-540 Harris
ENGL 3660-01 Film Genre M, 300-540 Holtzclaw
ENGL 4860-01 Special Topics in Film Studies: Woody Allen M, 600-840 Brewer
ENGL 4860-01 Special Topics in Film Studies: Science Fiction W, 600-840 Badley
JOUR 3000-01 Introduction to Motion Pictures TR, 600-715 M. Johnson
JOUR 3000-01 Introduction to Motion Pictures W, 300-540 Badger
PS 3100-01 Politics and Film M. 300-540 Byrnes
PS 3100-02 Politics and Film T, 600-840 Byrnes
PS 3200-01 British Government and Film TR, 200-315 Vernardakis
RIM 4570-01 Soundtrack Design W, 430-710 Collier

For more information, contact Dr. Robert Holtzclaw or Dr. David Lavery.

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