Film Studies Undergraduate Degrees

The Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Click to open major tracking sheet with list of required courses. (PDF, 61 kB, opens in new window)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

BFA Mission

The mission of the BFA is to prepare artists who will be competitive as independent filmmakers. To that end, a central aim of our curriculum is to help prepare students for advanced graduate degrees beyond the BFA degree.

Click to open major tracking sheet with list of required courses. (PDF, 61 kB, opens in new window)

Since the BFA program is available only to students who have satisfied a number of prerequisites and successfully concluded an application and selection process (see below), all students begin their Film Studies career declaring the Bachelor of Arts in Film as their major.

BFA Application Procedure

Students wishing to declare a BFA in Film Studies--the Production track--as their major must first satisfy specific prerequisites and then apply to the Film Studies BFA Committee for admission.

Click to open an overview of the BFA submission process. (PDF, 13 kB, opens in new window)

Click to open the 2008 BFA Application. (PDF, 84 kB, opens in new window)

Prerequisites to Admission

  1. You must have a cumulative GPA for all coursework at CU-Boulder of 2.500.
  2. You must pass FILM 1502 (Introduction to Film Studies) and FILM 2000 (Beginning Filmmaking) or FILM 2300 (Beginning/Intermediate Filmmaking) with an average GPA of 3.000 (i.e., a “B” average).
  3. You must pass FILM 1502, FILM 2000 or FILM 2300, and FILM 2500 (Intro to Cinematography) with an average GPA of at least 3.300 (i.e., a “B+” average).

Applicants who do not satisfy these prerequisites will not be considered, without exception.

NOTE: FILM 1502 and 2000 (or 2300) can be repeated in order to raise one’s grade average for the two classes to “B” or better. The “lower” grade(s) will not factor into the calculations of a minimum “B+” (3.300) average needed to become BFA FMST. However, all CU-Boulder classes factor into one’s major and cumulative GPAs. Also remember that FILM 1502 and 2000 are NOT repeatable for CU credit toward graduation; FILM 2300, however, IS repeatable up to 6 total credit hours.

BFA Orientation

Students are required to attend a BFA orientation meeting prior to the semester in which they enroll in FILM 3400 (orientation meetings will be held the Saturday before the beginning of fall and spring semesters).

Uniform Grading System

Film Studies abides by the University's Uniform Grading System. (All campuses, schools, and colleges of the University of Colorado are covered by this policy.)

Required Computer Purchase Program

In order to better prepare BFA students for their future endeavors, as well as current course work in the art of cinema, the Film Studies Program at CU Boulder is requiring that Film Studies BFA students own an Apple Macintosh computer system which meets the requirements to run Final Cut Studio (FCS) software, a copy of Final Cut Studio and an external Firewire hard drive.

Click to open the Film Studies Program Required Computer Systems document. (Word DOC, 45 kB, opens in new window)

Advising

Students are encouraged to work with their advisor(s), throughout the course of their college career, to make their academic experience at CU as meaningful and successful as possible. Students should make an appointment with their advisor(s) prior to registration each semester. CU students must go the website http://aac.colorado.edu to make an appointment with the advisor. The Film Studies academic advisor, whose office is in ATLAS 321, can be reached by email at denise.larson@colorado.edu.. Note that, during Spring and Fall registration periods (October/November and March/April, respectively), making appointments well in advance is critical to ensuring access to the advisor.

Registering for the first semester at CU, Freshmen and Transfer Students

Through the Office of Orientation, (877-313-6979, 303-492-4431) students will be able to sign up for and participate in an orientation session, which culminates in registering for classes. For Film Studies students, this session includes a group meeting facilitated by the Film Studies Academic Advisor, and an individual advising appointment to discuss proposed schedule and related issues.

Waitlists

Waitlists are an effective way of getting into courses that are closed or difficult to get into. To get into a course off of a waitlist, students must attend class and identify themselves to the professor. Film Studies professors may drop students out of classes if they miss the first two class meetings. Film Studies waitlists are prioritized by major and rank (note that FILM 1502 is prioritized by major and REVERSE rank: freshman Film majors have highest priority). However, a student on the waitlist who attends class regularly almost certainly will be admitted to the course over someone with higher standing who does not attend. However, note that non-attendance does not always result in an administrative drop. Please monitor your schedule carefully, especially in the first several weeks of each semester.

Course Reservation Program

The Course Reservation Program assists students in getting the courses they need to graduate by providing an opportunity to reserve space and enroll in a waitlisted course for the following semester before regularly scheduled registration. All undergraduate courses offered at CU-Boulder that utilize waitlists, except for controlled enrollment courses, are included in the Course Reservation Program. Please see the website for details about Course Reservation: http://registrar.colorado.edu/students/registration/course_reservation.html

Other Extras

Four Year Guarantee

The four year guarantee is for students who are particularly concerned about graduating in four years. While it is the goal of Film Studies advising to assist all students in graduating in a timely manner, this program requires the university to pick up a portion of the bill if it takes more than four years to graduate, as long as the student follows all of the guidelines. Students interested in more information on this program should visit the website www.colorado.edu/ArtsSciences/students/undergraduate/four_year.html, and then make an appt. with Jennifer if still interested in pursuing this contractual agreement.

International Film Series

The International Film Series offers free films to students taking Film Studies courses. Bring a copy of your transcript and your student I.D. to the Film Studies administrative assistant in the main office to pick up your pass. 

Petitioning Transfer Credit

Film courses taken at other accredited institutions may be petitioned to apply to specific requirements in the Film Studies Program, assuming they are first granted general transfer credit on the CU transcript. The petiton form (PDF, 12 kB, opens in new window) must be accompanied by a copy of the course syllabus, so that the Film Programs Undergraduate Coordinator can adequately and accurately evaluate the relevant course(s). Completed forms should be returned to the main office or the advisors office. From there it will be submitted to the Coordinator for review.

Financial Aid

Film Studies does not have any specific financial aid available for majors. We recommend you contact the Office of Financial Aid (303-492-5148) for information on grants and loans available to undergraduate students.

Internships

Internships are available through the Film Studies Program; the purpose of this course is to provide professional internship experiences with film, video, and new media production companies, governmental agencies and production units, audio recording studios, and new media industries.

The Associate Director is in charge of internships. Internships may be taken for up to 6 credit hours in Colorado or outside the state for single degree students. Internship hours may not be awarded for work done previously. Film Studies faculty will provide assistance where needed; however, students should seek out their own internships with organizations that specialize in their area of interest. We find that students who have had the most satisfying internship experiences are those who research their area of interest and then set up several interviews, committing to the one that seems the best match. It is recommended that you wait until you interview with the company in person to commit to an internship. Internships are a privilege. If department faculty determines that the student is not qualified for the proposed internship or if the internship seems unsuitable for academic credit this evaluation will be forwarded to the Associate Director of Film Studies. The guidelines established by Arts and Sciences for internships must be followed as well as the "Credit Internship Application". This may be a paying internship if the Arts and Sciences guidelines are met.

Prerequisites must be a BA or BFA Film Studies major with a CU GPA of at least 2.00 and upper-division standing and hold a 3.00 GPA as a Film Studies BA or BFA major.

Consent requirements and Application:

Please follow these steps when registering for Internship Credit:

  1. Find a faculty member who will agree to be your faculty sponsor (faculty sponsors must be those who regularly teach classes at the rank of “Instructor” or above).
  2. Print and completely fill out application form from the website www.Colorado.edu/aac/internapp.htm . Fill out the internship contract information being careful to get the correct spelling, title and address of your employer and "workplace supervisor". (Students must work a minimum of 50 credit hours per semester for one credit hour.) Follow the application instructions and obtain all necessary signatures.
  3. Take the completed forms to your faculty supervisor. After discussing the details of your internship, have the faculty member sign the form.
  4. Take the internship contract to the Associate Director of Film Studies for his/her signature.
  5. Be sure you are registered for credit before you start your internship.

Course Required Deliverable: Final Internship Report

Your Internship Report must consist of the following four items:

  1. Cover Page: Name; Social Security Number; Dates of Internship; Company Name; Name of Supervisor; Company History, Structure/Organization and Mission/Purpose.
  2. Journal: Keep a weekly journal of your work experience and work assignments.
  3. Your Internship Evaluation: Your evaluation of the internship experience. This is a three-paged typed evaluation of your work experience.
  4. Your Workplace Supervisor's Confidential written Final Evaluation of Your Performance, signed, on official company letterhead, and in a sealed envelope.

Faculty Sponsor Evaluation

All of these are due no later than last day of regular class for the semester in which the internship is taken. Based on the above components the faculty supervisor will assess if the student has successfully completed the internship. The faculty sponsor is looking for preface indicators such as workplace attendance, and the student work journal, the successful completion of assigned duties. If there these materials are not returned to the faculty sponsor by the date (last day of regular classes for the term) the student will not receive credit for the internship.

Independent Study

Purpose of independent study

Independent Study is an opportunity to earn academic credit for learning outside the formal class structure. A student who is interested in knowing more about a topic not covered in the regular Film Studies curriculum may propose a research project to any department faculty member (excluding graduate teaching assistants). If the student and faculty member can agree that the topic is worth investigating, it is not covered (or not covered in sufficient depth) in departmental courses, and that they share sufficient interest in the topic to sustain an independent study project, the student and faculty member may prepare an independent study contract.

Policies regarding what is and is not acceptable for independent study credit

Some experiences are not appropriate for independent study credit and, in fact, are prohibited by College policy. Please note that independent study projects are generally approved when a student’s graduation is held up by a 1-2 credit hours. A 3-credit-hour project is approved only in exceptional circumstances. Specifically, independent study credit is not to be given for following experiences are not appropriate for independent study credit.

Description of Contract

A Film Studies Program Independent Study Contract must be filled out and signed by all required individuals before the student can register for the independent study. In this contract the student must provide a description of the topic that will be pursued in the independent study (under “DESCRIPTION OF COURSE WORK”). The student also must note what type of “product” or “products” will be completed at the end of the term. Finally, as noted on the contract, the expectation is that a minimum of 25 hours (1500 minutes) of study time is required for each 1 semester hour of credit

Semester hours of credit allowed

The maximum hours allowed in independent study are as follows for undergraduates:

Independent credit earned in Film Studies can be used as general upper division credit for the undergraduate major requirement. It cannot be used to fulfill any of the specific upper division requirements (i.e., Film History, Film Theory).

Eligibility

Independent study in Film Studies is usually restricted to majors because it is assumed that to conduct an independent study in Film Studies the student must have the relevant background knowledge in this discipline. Independent study in Film Studies is also usually restricted to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.00 or higher. Finally, for the critical studies independent study, students must have completed FILM 1502, 3051, and 3061. For the production independent study, students must have completed FILM 2000, 2500 or 2600, and 3400 or 3600. Independent study cannot be done retroactively. That is, the contract for independent study is to be completed, signed and approved prior to the initiation of the project, not after it has been completed. Also, independent study is to be enrolled for in the same time frame as all other courses.

Procedures

Students may obtain the contract for Film Studies independent study in the Departmental Office or from the Film Studies advisor. After consulting with the faculty sponsor the student should complete the pertinent portions of the form (description of the product to be completed at end of term). A staff person will evaluate the student’s eligibility and fill out and initial the appropriate section of the contract. The faculty sponsor and the student will discuss the number of credits to be contracted. The faculty sponsor will provide the student with the appropriate course number. After the faculty sponsor signs the contract, the student should also sign it and return it to the Departmental Office. The Director of Film Studies will evaluate the contract and approve it as it fulfills the requirements described above. Finally, as noted above, independent study is to be enrolled for in the same time frame as all other courses. When all appropriate signatures are obtained the student will be registered by a member of the Film Studies Program staff.

Sponsor and Coordinator:

Faculty members, not graduate teaching assistants, sponsor independent studies. The Chair of Film Studies is the departmental coordinator of independent study programs.

Technical Policies of College Of Arts And Sciences

  1. Student may not register for more than 6 semester hours of Independent Study credit for any one term.
  2. No more than 8 semester hours of Independent Study credit my be taken in a single department or program.
  3. A maximum of 16 credit hours of Independent Study may count toward the degree.
  4. Independent Study credit is not be used to fulfill College List or Core Curriculum requirements.

Independent Study Coordinator Responsibilities

The Coordinator of Independent Study in the Film Studies Program will be the Associate Director. The Coordinator will review the Independent Study Contract before the student is registered for credit. This review will ensure: the appropriate course number is being used, that an appropriate number of credit hours are being awarded, and that only full time faculty members are signing contracts and sponsoring Independent Study. The coordinator will also make occasional checks on the quality of independent study projects, verify that sponsors are keeping to the terms of the contracts, and check the grade rosters to confirm that no one faculty member is supervising an unreasonable number of independent study hours. Because each faculty member in the department is assigned a section number and receives a separate Independent Study grade roster, checking the number of students registered with a particular faculty and the timely completion of the contracts will be routine. Finally, the coordinator will evaluate significant changes to the independent study contract, will be in charge of training sponsors and staff, and will develop record keeping procedures.

Only full time faculty members in the Film Studies Program may act as Sponsor of an Independent Study project. It is the duty of faculty sponsors to sign only contracts that conform to departmental policy. Sponsors will notify and work with the independent study coordinator if substantive changes to an independent study project occur during its completion. Sponsors are also responsible for the evaluation of Independent Study projects, entering grades on the grade rosters, keeping appropriate records, and verifying the accuracy of both personal independent study rosters and grades entered in the student’s record. Staff will be responsible for verifying the student’s major, class standing, GPA and previous independent study record. Staff will also be responsible for verifying the sponsor’s and coordinator’s signatures on Independent Study contracts, for registering the student for the hours indicated on a properly signed contract, and distributing grade rosters to the faculty. Staff also collect the grade rosters, verify that they are properly filled out and forward them to the registrar, and distribute grade verification reports. Under no circumstances will staff be asked to evaluate a student project or determine the grade assigned.

Granting Independent Study credit is not an appropriate way for faculty or the department to compensate a student for doing routine work, grading papers, proctoring exams or assisting with the faculty member’s research. The student, after all, pays tuition for these credits and the grade on the transcript presumably reflects a significant academic experience.

Honors

For information on eligibility, guidelines, requirements, and deadlines, see the Honors Program website: www.colorado.edu/honors

Associate Professor Melinda Barlow is the Honors Representative for Film Studies. Her office is ATLAS 333, and she may be reached at 303-492-3291 or melinda.barlow@colorado.edu.

Honors in Film Studies (Departmental Honors)

BA Honors

A written Honors Thesis is usually approximately 30-35 pages in length, but may be longer or shorter depending on the nature of the project. It may develop from a shorter paper written for another class, but must expand upon the initial ideas put forth in that paper and demonstrate originality of thought and breadth of research. A paper or project written for another class may not be submitted for the purpose of obtaining Honors without revision or expansion into a new Honors Thesis.

BFA Honors

To obtain BFA Honors in Film Studies, a student must make a film and write a paper. The film may be either a substantial revision of a 4500 film or a new film. The 15-20 page paper must be both scholarly and technical. It must demonstrate considerable research, place the film in a personal, historical and aesthetic context, and include an analysis of the film's form and content. Contact Assistant Professor Jennifer Peterson to see a sample of this kind of essay (contact info above). Students who make a new film must enable Honors Committee members to view the film before the defense by giving each committee member a copy of the film on either dvd or vhs a full two weeks before the defense. Students who choose to make substantial revisions to an existing film must also give all committee members a copy of the revised film on dvd or vhs a full two weeks before the defense. In either case students may be asked to screen examples from their new or revised films during the defense. Students who have revised a 4500 film as an Honors thesis must bring cued-up copies of both the original film and the revised film to the defense in order to clearly demonstrate the nature of the revisions to the Honors committee members.

Credit for Honors Research

Students may register for three Honors Independent Studies credits the semester he or she is working on either a BA or a BFA Honors Thesis. Students will be graded for these Independent Studies projects. Because Film Studies is currently seeking its own Honors Thesis Independent Study course number, students who wish to register for such credits next semester should check with the Film Studies Honors Representative to see what course number to use (one may be obtained from the Honors Program if our own is not yet in place). The Honors Thesis Advisor also serves as the supervisor of the Honors Thesis Independent Study. Students must fill out an Independent Study course form and have it signed by the Chair of Film Studies, making clear that the credits in question pertain to an Honors Thesis project.

Please note: Because an Honors thesis often transforms over the course of writing and filming, it is common to have to re-write the original prospectus for inclusion in the finished thesis. Sample theses and prospectuses are available in the Honors Office for your perusal.

Expenses

Fees that are assessed with your tuition:

General Student fees supporting Film Studies education are of two types. They are the Crucial Studies fees and the Film Production fees. Critical Studies fees provide support for classroom film screenings. Equipment replacement and repair, maintenance of labs and other facilities are among those activates supported by the production fees.

Out of Pocket Expenses

BFA students will need an Apple Macintosh computer system which meets the requirements to run Final Cut Studio (FCS) software, a copy of Final Cut Studio and an external Firewire hard drive. The specifics are described in the Film Studies Program Required Computer Systems document. (Word DOC, 45 kB, opens in new window)

Additionally,