Film and Television Studies (15)

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Certificate of Undergraduate Study

Coordinator: Randy Casperson, Department of Communication

This interdisciplinary certificate is intended to provide a broad background in the area of media literacy and critical thinking. The certificate is designed to complement undergraduate course work in a variety of majors. The certificate is particularly appropriate for students preparing for, or currently working in, a variety of disciplines or careers in media production, broadcasting, public relations, marketing, advertising, visual arts, critical studies, politics, and literature.

Students must maintain good academic standing in the university, achieve a minimum grade of C in each certificate course, achieve a GPA of at least 2.00 in all certificate courses, and complete all certificate course work within six calendar years. Some courses may have prerequisites that are not part of the certificate curriculum. All course requirements for the certificate must be completed at NIU.

In addition to the approved elective courses listed below, any undergraduate-level special topics course focusing on film or television studies may be counted toward the certificate with the approval of the coordinator of the Film and Television Studies Certificate of Undergraduate Study. No transfer credit is allowed for the certificate. Students pursuing a certificate in Film and Television Studies should meet with the certificate director in the Department of Communication early in their academic careers.

Requirements (15)

COMS 356 - Critical Media Analysis Credits: 3
Available for general education credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Domain.
ENGL 363 - Film and Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 363 is a writing infused course.

Three of the following from at least two different departments (9)

COMS 390 - Major Directors Credits: 3
COMS 456 - History of Film Before 1950 Credits: 3
COMS 457 - The Documentary Tradition Credits: 3
COMS 458 - History of Film After 1950 Credits: 3
COMS 459 - History of Broadcasting Credits: 3
OR JOUR 459X - History of Broadcasting Credits: 3
COMS 460 - Television Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
COMS 462 - Film Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
COMS 466 - Narrative Scriptwriting Credits: 3
COMS 466 is a writing infused course.
COMS 475 - Film Festival Administration Credits: 3
COMS 493 - Special Topics in Media Studies Credits: 3
May be repeated with change of topic up to 6 semester hours.
Topic must deal with television or film.
ENGL 400 - Literary Topics Credits: 3
May be repeated with change of topic up to 6 semester hours.
Topic must deal with television or film.
HIST 383 - Latin America through Film Credits: 3
Available for general education credit in the Creativity and Critical Analysis Domain.
HIST 383 also fulfills the Human Diversity Requirement.
HIST 390 - Film and History Credits: 3
May be repeated with change of topic up to 6 semester hours.
POLS 306 - The Mass Media in American Politics Credits: 3
POLS 312 - Law and Film Credits: 3
POLS 392 - Politics and Film Credits: 3
SESE 320 - Disability in Film Credits: 3