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Program Description
The undergraduate program in Cinema Studies offers a liberal arts program that focuses on the study of cinema both as an art form and as a form of mass culture. The study of film as art is concerned with the relationships among film style, narrative form, and the material practices that shape the medium. The study of film as mass culture explores the ways in which film serves as an articulator of societal values and as a litmus for processes of social change. While American cinema is studied in depth, the cinemas of Europe, Asia, and South America are also a central component of the curriculum.
Graduates of the program can use their degrees in two ways: as a liberal arts degree akin to English or vocationally as preparation for professional careers. Students in the department are required to either combine their major in cinema studies with a minor in another discipline or double major in a second discipline. Graduates from our department have gone on to successful careers in archival work, teaching, journalism, multimedia, network television, and filmmaking.
Admissions
New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU. For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 128 credits. Additionally, students in this program are required to complete a 16-credit minor in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, languages, or arts.
Program Notes
Undergraduate Cinema Studies majors are permitted, with their advisor and instructor approval, to take certain 1000-level graduate courses listed in the graduate course descriptions section. Undergraduates in other departments and schools may also take these courses, with the permission of the instructor.
Undergraduate Cinema Studies majors who are planning to do graduate work are encouraged to do advanced study in a foreign language.
In addition to College of Arts and Science liberal arts offerings, certain courses in the Tisch School of the Arts can be taken for general education credit. A list of these courses is available each semester through the school at the time of registration.
Internships
It is possible for students to receive internship credit (pass/fail) for work at various film libraries, associations, and archives (such as the American Museum of the Moving Image, the Film Society at Lincoln Center, and the Museum of Modern Art) or at other film-related institutions (such as film journals, film production, distribution, exhibition companies, etc.). Students work in various capacities at these film and video archives and may receive a maximum of 8 credits of combined internship and independent study toward their degree. Permission of a faculty adviser is required for such work. Specific guidelines are available from the department.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:
- A broad understanding of fields in the social sciences and humanities.
- An understanding of theory and history of film, television and other moving image media.
- The ability to write intelligent and informed critical essays on these media.
- Practical skills in the area of media management, production, criticism, or preservation.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Tisch Policies
Additional academic policies can be found on the Tisch academic policy page.