Cinema Studies - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

CU Boulder's Bachelor of Arts in cinema studies emphasizes the critical study of film as an art form. The cinema studies BA is designed to give students a solid knowledge of the history and aesthetics of international film, as well as exposure to the various methodological approaches of cinema studies as an academic discipline. Cinema studies courses take a multi-faceted approach comprised of film screenings, readings and lectures, while students are expected to practice their film analysis skills in writing assignments and class discussion.

Like many programs in the arts and humanities, the BA program in cinema studies aims more broadly to teach two fundamental skills: critical thinking and writing ability. These skills are developed in our program specifically through the examination of films, but they are also broadly useful well beyond the realm of cinema studies. Students also have the option to pursue a BA with emphasis in production. The BA program enrolls approximately 425 majors.

Requirements

General Requirements

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed within the emphasis that the student is pursuing.

No more than 6 credit hours of independent study may be credited toward the major. Students must complete the required cinema studies courses with a grade of C- or better. These courses cannot be taken pass/fail. The College of Arts and Sciences 18 credit hour minimum of upper-division credit hours must be fulfilled with CU cinema studies courses. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the major in order to graduate, and no more than 45 credits in CINE may be applied to overall graduation requirements. 

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major.

To maintain adequate progress toward a BA in cinema studies, students should meet the following requirements (see the recommended four-year plans of study on the Areas of Emphasis tab).

• Declare a cinema studies major by the beginning of the second semester.
• Complete 3 hours of lower-division critical studies electives and CINE 1502 by the end of the fourth semester.
• Complete 3 hours of upper-division critical studies electives and CINE 3051 and CINE 3061 by the end of the sixth semester.
• Complete 6 critical studies elective credit hours and 6 CINE elective credit hours by the end of the seventh semester (at least 3 of these credit hours must be upper-division credit hours).
• Complete an additional 9 credit hours of critical studies elective courses and CINE 3104 or all required production courses by the eighth semester.

Areas of Emphasis

Critical Studies Emphasis

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required cinema studies core, the critical studies emphasis requires a minimum of 41 credit hours in support of the BA requirements.

Production Emphasis

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences and the required cinema studies core, the production emphasis requires a minimum of 45 credit hours in support of the BA requirements, including cinema studies courses and courses taken in other departments.

The Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts strongly urges students pursuing production classes in the BA degree program to purchase film and sound media-capable Apple computing systems.

Recommended Four-Year Plans of Study

Critical Studies Emphasis

Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Arts & Humanities area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement.

Production Emphasis

Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Arts & Humanities area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement.

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Define the major artistic contributions to the evolution of cinema, from the advent of the moving image to the present.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the general outlines of world cinema from the silent period to the present, with emphasis on the historical contributions of major national cinemas. 
• Recognize the contexts of national and international film history and explain the ways in which cinemas reflect on social, historical and political developments through the medium’s history. 
• Effectively apply the uses and functions of film criticism, aesthetics and film theory in writing, oral and/or artistic forms.