StudyQA — Bachelor: Cinema and Media Studies — University of Southern California

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema and Media Studies is granted by the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts. Undergraduate students take their preprofessional courses in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, including the general education requirements. Major courses are selected from the curriculum of the School of Cinematic Arts. The degree requires 128 units, including 28 lower-division and 24 upper-division units in cinematic arts. A maximum of 40 School of Cinematic Arts upper-division units will apply to the BA degree. Before graduating, cinema and media studies majors are encouraged to take at least one small non-lecture class that emphasizes student critical writing or research papers. This category may include (but is not limited to): CTCS 402, CTCS 411, CTCS 412, CTCS 414, sections of CTCS 464 or CTCS 469 that require a D clearance, CTCS 494, and CTCS 495.

Undergraduates admitted to the Cinema and Media Studies Program are required to take CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication. CTPR 290 introduces the interrelationship of visuals, sound and editing in cinematic communication. Students participate in directing and producing workshops as well as individual and group projects. Approximately $1,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

Required Courses

CNTV 101 Reality Starts Here Units: 2
CTCS 190g Introduction to Cinema Units: 4
CTCS 191 Introduction to Television and Video Units: 4
CTCS 192gm Race, Class, and Gender in American Film Units: 4
CTCS 200g History of the International Cinema I Units: 4
CTCS 201 History of the International Cinema II Units: 4
CTCS 473 Film and Media Theory Units: 4
CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication Units: 4, 6

One course from the following:

CTCS 392 History of the American Film, 1925–1950 Units: 4
CTCS 393 History of the American Film, 1946–1975 Units: 4
CTCS 394 History of the American Film, 1977–present Units: 4

Four courses from the following:

CTCS 367 Global Media Units: 4
CTCS 400 Non-Fiction Film and Television Units: 4
CTCS 402 Practicum in Film/Television Criticism Units: 4
CTCS 403 Studies in National and Regional Media Units: 4
CTCS 404 Television Criticism and Theory Units: 4
CTCS 406 History of American Television Units: 4
CTCS 407 African American Cinema Units: 4
CTCS 409 Censorship in Cinema Units: 4
CTCS 411 Film, Television and Cultural Studies Units: 4
CTCS 412 Gender, Sexuality and Media Units: 4
CTCS 414 Latina/o Screen Cultures Units: 4
CTCS 464 Film and/or Television Genres Units: 4
CTCS 469 Film and/or Television Style Analysis Units: 4
CTCS 478 Culture, Technology and Communications Units: 4
CTCS 482 Transmedia Entertainment Units: 4
CTCS 494 Advanced Cinema and Media Studies Seminar Units: 4
CTCS 495 Honors Seminar Units: 4 *

Note:

*Honors students only.

Additional Requirements

Grade Point Average Requirements

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not satisfy a major requirement.

Honors Program

Cinema and Media Studies offers an honors track for advanced students. Admission to the honors track is made at the end of the junior year and requires a 3.5 overall GPA. Completion of the honors track is dependent upon successful completion of a designated honors section of CTCS 495 during the senior year. In this course, students will work with faculty in a seminar environment and produce an advanced term paper based on original research and analysis.

Limitations on Enrollment

No more than 40 upper-division units can be taken within the major without prior approval of the Dean, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Registration in graduate level courses (numbered 500) for undergraduate credit requires prior approval from the School of Cinematic Arts.

Curriculum Review

Cinematic arts majors are expected to meet with an academic adviser every semester to review their progress. Contact the Cinematic Arts Student Services Office, SCB 105, (213) 740-8358, for an appointment.

Common App Writing Supplement: Essay and Short Answer questions
Transcripts: First-year applicants should submit official transcripts of all high school and college coursework completed.
Official Test Scores: Arrange for the testing agency to send your SAT or ACT scores directly to USC.
School Report: All first-year applicants are required to submit the Common Application School Report by providing the name and e-mail address of a recommender.
Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher or a Counselor
Portfolio, resumé and/or additional writing samples: if required by major. Performance majors may also require auditions.
Submit your fall grades (when available): Use the Mid-Year Report Form included in the Common Application or visit www.usc.edu/midyeargrades to submit your fall grades.
Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support
TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores, if the student’s native language is not English.