Total units required for Major: 47
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
The Film Program offers interdisciplinary coursework in the areas of film production, history, theory, criticism, and writing. The Film major aims at developing a deeper understanding of the art and practice of film, its complex components, and the artists whose vision have inspired generations of filmmakers. All students are required to take a common core that provides a foundation for film criticism and production. After completing the core, students select a concentration in Film Production or Cinema Studies. Students are supervised by the Film Coordinator.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Core Courses (10 Units) | ||
| FILM 20A | Audio Production | 2 |
| FILM 20B | Audio Production Lab | 1 |
| FILM 27A | Digital Film/Video Production | 2 |
| FILM 27B | Digital Film/Video Production Lab | 1 |
| ENGL 98 | Introduction to Film Discourse and Analysis | 4 |
| or ENGL 97 | Introduction to Film Studies | |
| Upper Division Core Courses (19 Units) | ||
| FILM/COMS 121 | Media Aesthetics | 3 |
| FILM 128 | Intermediate Production | 3 |
| COMS 133 | The Documentary Film | 3 |
| THEA/FILM 155 | Contemporary World Cinema | 3 |
| HIST/HRS 169 | Hollywood and America 1 | 3 |
| ENGL/FILM 105 | Film Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| Option Requirements (18 Units) | ||
| Select one of the options below: | 18 | |
Option A: Film Production | ||
Option B: Cinema Studies | ||
| Total Units | 47 | |
Option B: Cinema Studies (18 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements (18 Units) | ||
| COMS 142 | Film As Communication | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Communication and American Culture | ||
| History of the Media | ||
| Producing and Directing for Television | ||
| Video Art | ||
| Television Criticism | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| FILM/COMS 192 | Senior Seminar in Film | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 units in consultation with major advisor | 6 | |
| Total Units | 18 | |
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (9 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 2 | 0 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area F Course | 3 | |
| Total Units | 46 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Film (Film Studies), BA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| FILM 27A | Digital Film/Video Production | 2 |
| FILM 27B | Digital Film/Video Production Lab | 1 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| FILM 20A | Audio Production | 2 |
| FILM 20B | Audio Production Lab | 1 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| FILM 97 |
Introduction to Film Studies 3 or Introduction to Film Studies or Introduction to Film Discourse and Analysis or Introduction to Film Discourse and Analysis |
3 - 4 |
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16-17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| FILM 128 | Intermediate Production | 3 |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| COMS 142 | Film As Communication | 3 |
| FILM 121 or COMS 121 |
Media Aesthetics 3 or Media Aesthetics |
3 |
| HIST 169 or HRS 169 |
Hollywood and America 3 or Hollywood and America |
3 |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COMS 133 | The Documentary Film | 3 |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Course 3 | 3 | |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| THEA 155 or FILM 155 |
Contemporary World Cinema 3 or Contemporary World Cinema |
3 |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| FILM 192 or COMS 192 |
Senior Seminar in Film 3 or Senior Seminar in Film |
3 |
| ENGL 105 or FILM 105 |
Film Theory and Criticism 3 or Film Theory and Criticism |
4 |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Total Units | 121-122 | |
Film (Film Studies), BA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| COMS 133 | The Documentary Film | 3 |
| FILM 121 or COMS 121 |
Media Aesthetics 3 or Media Aesthetics |
3 |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| FILM 128 or COMS 128 |
Intermediate Production 3 or Intermediate Production |
3 |
| FILM 155 or THEA 155 |
Contemporary World Cinema 3 or Contemporary World Cinema |
3 |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| COMS 142 | Film As Communication | 3 |
| HIST 169 or HRS 169 |
Hollywood and America 3 or Hollywood and America |
3 |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Course 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COMS 192 or FILM 192 |
Senior Seminar in Film 3 or Senior Seminar in Film |
3 |
| ENGL 105 or FILM 105 |
Film Theory and Criticism 3 or Film Theory and Criticism |
4 |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Film Studies Upper Division Concentration Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 63 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.