Film & Media Studies - Programs

Undergraduate Programs & Degrees

Film Majors

The undergraduate curriculum offers course work in several degree concentrations. Programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) degrees in the Department are based in the School of the Arts in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. They include substantial course work in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences and students earning a B.A. also will take courses in a foreign language and a laboratory science. Of the two degrees, the B.A. in Film & Media Studies requires two additional studies courses where the B.G.S. allows greater specialization in film and video production.

Departmental course work blends theory and practice. We offer a comprehensive array of classroom opportunities, including courses in film/video and production. Since we also offer masters and doctoral degree programs, there are opportunities to pursue courses not typically available to undergraduates at many other institutions.

Film/Media projects originate in our media production courses. Many of these student works have won honors at regional, national, and international competitions. During the past two years the Fiske Guide to Colleges has listed KU as one of the "Major Universities Strong in Film/Television" placing us with other film schools such as the University of Southern California and New York University. The Film & Media Studies Program is housed in Oldfather Studios, a fully operative production facility where students learn and develop their art and craft.

For campus visits, please contact the Office of Admissions and Scholarships web site at www.admissions.ku.edu/visit/ or call (785) 864-3911. They will be happy to arrange a visit to Film & Media Studies along with a tour of the KU campus.

Degree options and/or courses may be available on a limited basis. Students should consult a department adviser to be informed of changes.

 

B.A. in Film - Catherine Preston Advisor

The following 40 hours are required:

 

FMS 100 Introduction to the Film Medium..........................................3
FMS 200 Film and Media Aesthetics..................................................3
FMS 310 History of the Silent Film.....................................................3
FMS 311 History of the American Sound Film...................................3
FMS 380 American Popular Culture of: _____...................................3
FMS 530 Classical Film/Media Theory...............................................3
FMS 531 Contemporary Film/Media Theory.......................................3
FMS 592 Documentary Film and Video..............................................3
FMS 593 Experimental Film and Video..............................................3

Plus one of the following courses:......................................................3
FMS 275 Basic Video Production (3)
FMS 276 Basic Film Production (3)
FMS 576 Animation (3)

Plus one of the following courses: (3)
FMS 312 History of the International Sound Film to 1950 (3)
FMS 313 History of the International Sound Film Post 1950 (3)

Plus 7 additional hours elected from courses in the department......7

B.G.S. in Film - Matt Jacobson, Advisor

The following 42 hours are required:

 

FMS 100 Introduction to Film Medium................................................3
FMS 200 Film and Media Aesthetics..................................................3
FMS 310 History of Silent Film...........................................................3
FMS 380 American Popular Culture..................................................3
FMS 530 Classical Film/Media Theory..............................................3
FMS 531 Contemporary Film/Media Theory......................................3

Plus one of the following courses:.....................................................3
FMS 592 Experimental Film and Video (3)
FMS 593 Documentary Film and Video (3)

Plus one of the following courses:......................................................3
FMS 273 Basic Screenwriting (3)
FMS 275 Basic Video Production (3)
FMS 276 Basic Film Production (3)

Plus one of the following courses:......................................................3
FMS 311 History of American Sound Film (3)
FMS 312 History of International Sound Film to 1950 (3)
FMS 313 History of Internationall Sound Film Post 1950 (3)
FMS 621 Film Criticism (3)

Plus 15 additional hours elected from courses in the department....15

Film Minor

 

A minimum of 18 hours is required for the minor; 15 hours must be numbered 300 or above. Production courses in film do not count toward the film minor.

FMS 100 Introduction to the Film Medium.........................................3
FMS 380 American Popular Culture of: _______..............................3

One course from the following:.........................................................3
FMS 310 History of the Silent Film (3)
FMS 311 History of the American Sound Film (3)
FMS 312 History of the International Sound Film to 1950 (3)
FMS 313 History of the International Sound Film Post 1950 (3)
FMS 314 History of African-American Images in Film (3)

One course from the following:.........................................................3
FMS 530 Classical Film/Media Theory (3)
FMS 531 Contemporary Film/Media Theory (3)

One course from the following:.........................................................3
FMS 592 Documentary Film and Video (3)
FMS 593 Experimental Film and Video (3)

One course from the following:.........................................................3
FMS 302 Undergraduate Seminar in (a film studies topic) (3)
FMS 542 Latin American Film (3)
FMS 621 American Film Criticism (3)

Honors in the Department of Film & Media Studies

Honors. A student interested in honors in film and media studies must present a written declaration of intention to the honors coordinator of the department as early as possible in the junior or senior year.

The following are required:

1. A grade-point average at time of declaration and at graduation of at least 3.25 overall and 3.5 in film courses.

2. From 6 to 8 hours in FMS 498 Honors Seminar. Enrollment in this course must be approved by the honors coordinator of the department. Students enrolled in the honors seminar work under the direction of one instructor for each semester. The instructor conducts an examination at the end of each semester's work and assigns a grade. Credit only is given to students who complete the work assigned for any semester but do not complete the requirements for honors. Students may change area of interest or instructor at the beginning of a semester with the consent of the honors coordinator.

3. Satisfactory performance in a final oral examination given approximately one month before graduation.

Graduate Programs & Degrees

Questions regarding graduate programs and degrees should be sent to Professor Michael Baskett at dgsfms@ku.edu.

 

M.A. Degree Requirements

The Masters degree in Film and Media is an academic degree but students are expected to complete 6 hours in film and video production.  All M.A. students in Film and Media Studies must write a thesis as the culmination of their degree. To be admitted, a student ordinarily is expected to have a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 600 (verbal), 500 (quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical writing).  To complete the M.A., the student must sustain a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher through 33 graduate credit hours

M.A. in Film/Media (33 hours)

Core
To be taken the first semester in residence:
FMS 800 Introduction to Graduate Study in Film & Media.....................3

Studies
FMS 864 Classical Film and Media Theory...........................................3
FMS 865 Contemporary Film and Media Theory...................................3

Production Choose two courses from the following list:.....................6
FMS 673 Problems in Basic Screenwriting (3)
FMS 675 Problems in Basic Video Production (3)
FMS 676 Problems in Basic Film Production (3)

Areas of Concentration.
Choose 12 hours of courses from one of the following four categories: .............................................................................................................12

A. History and Theory
FMS 841 Asian Film (3)
FMS 842 Latin American Film (3)
FMS 862 Survey of Film and Media History (3)
FMS 863 Survey of Documentary and Experimental Film and Media (3)
An appropriate FMS 902 Film Seminar in: _____ (3)
One elective in film history or theory

B. International Film and Media
FMS 841 Asian Film (3)
FMS 842 Latin American Film (3)
FMS 862 Survey of Film and Media History (3)
One elective chosen with the graduate adviser from the film and culture sequences offered, for example, by French and Italian or African and African-American Studies, or an appropriate FMS 902 Film Seminar in: _____ (3)

C. Practical Criticism
FMS 621 American Film Criticism (3)
One elective from the FMS 880 sequence in American Popular Culture (3)
One elective from the following list:
FMS 841 Asian Film (3)
FMS 842 Latin American Film (3)
FMS 862 Survey of Film and Media History (3)
FMS 863 Survey of Documentary and Experimental Film and Media (3)
An appropriate FMS 902 Film Seminar in: _____ (3)

D. Theory and Practice of Production
Two electives from the following list: (6)
FMS 576 Animation (3)
FMS 675 Problems in Basic Video Production (3)
FMS 676 Problems in Basic Film Production (3)
FMS 773 Problems in Intermediate Screenwriting (3)
Two electives from the following list: (6)
FMS 841 Asian Film (3)
FMS 842 Latin American Film (3)
FMS 862 Survey of Film and Media History (3)
FMS 863 Survey of Documentary and Experimental Film and Media (3)

Master's Thesis. F 899 Master's Thesis............................................6

All courses should be selected in consultation with the adviser.

 

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. is an academic degree, but students are expected to complete 6 hours in film and video production. To be admitted, a student ordinarily is expected to have a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 600 (verbal), 500 (quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical writing). Applicants also must have a grade-point average of at least 3.2 for undergraduate and at least 3.5 for graduate work, and a master’s degree acceptable to the graduate faculty. Deficiencies in a student’s background may require make-up work.

(60 hours not including language proficiency). Please meet with your adviser or graduate director each semester to assess your progress.

Core Requirements (24 hours). Doctoral students in Film and Media Studies must take a core of courses aimed at strengthening methodological, historical, and theoretical grounding. One course must be taken in non-Western/indigenous film; two graduate-level production courses are required, and two courses in FMS 902 Film Seminar are mandatory.

Elective Requirements (9 hours). Elective courses focus on the academic study of history, international cinema, popular culture, and film criticism. These courses are selected with a graduate adviser to reflect the student’s special interest. The adviser may increase the number of hours, depending on the student’s academic needs.

Production Requirements (6 hours). Production courses are required so that students may gain an understanding of the production process in making film, video, or animation pieces.  Upon graduation, doctoral students will be able to perform as competent artisans in addition to research scholars. Production courses are selected with a graduate adviser to reflect the student’s specific interest. The adviser may increase the number of hours, depending on the student’s academic needs.

Secondary Field Requirements (9 hours). Secondary field courses, nine hours at the graduate level from outside the Department of Film and Media Studies, are chosen to assist the student in writing the dissertation. They are related to the student’s proposed area of specialization. Examples include English, History, Women’s Studies, American Studies, Education, Social Welfare, etc.

Foreign Language or Other Research Skills Requirement. The student must demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language or competence for use as research skills in two foreign languages. For one of the languages under the second option, the student may substitute a research skill pertinent to the specialty (e.g., computer language, research methods, American Sign Language). Courses may be taken within or outside the department.

Comprehensive Examination. Two publishable papers are due at the time of the examination.  The examination includes on-site written responses to questions in history, theory, production, and literature/criticism, followed by an oral examination.

Dissertation (18 hours). The finished dissertation must constitute a palpable contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s chosen field. Following its completion, an oral defense must be held no less than four weeks before the deadline for graduation. The committee consists of one chair, three departmental members, and an outside member.

Ph.D. in Film/Media Program of Study.

Core (24 hours)
FMS 800 Introduction to Graduate study in Film and Media.......................3
FMS 801 Professional Development Seminar (1 hour/three semesters)..3
FMS 862 Survey of Film and Media History................................................3
FMS 863 Survey of Documentary and Experimental Film and Media........3
FMS 864 Classical Film and Media Theory................................................3
FMS 865 Contemporary Film and Media Theory........................................3
FMS 902 Film Seminar in: Special Topics.................................................3
One graduate-level non-Western/indigenous film course..........................3

Electives (9 hours chosen in consultation with the adviser).....................9
FMS 621 American Film Criticism (3)
FMS 702 Graduate Seminar in: Film Studies (3)
FMS 814 Development of African-American Images in Film (3)
FMS 841 Asian Film (3)
FMS 842 Latin American Film (3)
FMS 880 Development of American Popular Culture of the _____ (3)
FMS 902 Film Seminar in: Special Topics _____ (3)
FMS 998 Investigation and Conference (3)
Others to be added from semester offerings at the graduate level

Production (6 hours)................................................................................6
FMS 576 Animation (3)
FMS 673 Problems in Basic Screenwriting (3)
FMS 675 Problems in Basic Video Production (3)
FMS 676 Problems in Basic Film Production (3)
FMS 702 Graduate Seminar in: Production (3)
FMS 773 Problems in Intermediate Screenwriting (3)
FMS 775 Problems in Intermediate Video Production (3)
FMS 895 Intensive Film Project Seminar (3)
FMS 897 Practicum in Film (3)

Graduate Admission Criteria

Admission Criteria

M.A. Degree

To be admitted, a student ordinarily is expected to have a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 600 (verbal), 500 (quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical writing). 

 

Ph.D. Degree

To be admitted, a student ordinarily is expected to have a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 600 (verbal), 500 (quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical writing). Applicants also must have a grade-point average of at least 3.2 for undergraduate and at least 3.5 for graduate work, and a master’s degree acceptable to the graduate faculty. Deficiencies in a student’s background may require make-up work.

How to Apply (Graduate level)

Deadlines

To apply for admission in Fall 2010, please submit all application materials for admission no later than:

January 1 to be considered for funding.
February 15 to be considered without funding.

The Department does not admit new students in the Spring or Summer terms.

Online Submission of Application and Fee

Your Application Form and Application Fee should be submitted online at: https://www.applyweb.com/apply/kugrad/.

Application Materials

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service. For routing, our institution code is 6871; our department code is 4505. Check with your GRE Examination Center (www.gre.org) to be certain your scores will arrive at KU by the application deadline.

The items listed below should be addressed to:

Graduate Secretary
KU Department of Film and Media Studies
1621 W. 9th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044-2488

An official transcript, sent directly to KU, from every previous college or university attended (copies issued to students are not accepted).

Three (3) recent letters of recommendation, two of which should be from your current or former teachers. Each letter of recommendation must be accompanied by Graduate Letter of Recommendation Form. Please fill out the top section of the form and give it to your recommender, who will complete the bottom section. Completed letters with accompanying forms may be sent directly to the Department by your recommenders or included (in sealed envelopes) with the rest of the materials you send us.

A current resume of academic and artistic experiences.

A statement of personal goals that explains why you want to pursue graduate study.

A writing sample (no more than 15 pages) that demonstrates your ability to theorize, analyze, and synthesize scholarly information. (Please do not send theses or video tapes.)

International students must provide TOEFL scores and the international I-20 Request Form.

Questions regarding the graduate application process should be sent to Professor Michael Baskett at dgsfms@ku.edu.

Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance

You can find information about the cost of attending the University of Kansas here.

Application Process

In addition to the the various forms of financial aid available throughout the University (information for which is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid web site at http://www.ku.edu/~osfa/, the Department of Film & Media Studies awards over 20 different scholarships and awards each spring. The Departmental scholarships and awards are listed below.

Applications for Department of Film and Media Studies scholarships and awards are available only from February 1 to March 1 of each year.

Need-based scholarships: To be considered for a scholarship with a financial need component, students must complete the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so financial need can be determined. International students usually must complete KU's International Student Need Analysis Worksheet (ISNAW) instead of the FAFSA. Generally domestic students submit the FAFSA and international students submit the ISNAW. Please contact the KU Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) if you have questions about which form to fill out. The Department of Film and Media Studies requires students applying for departmental need-based scholarships to have filed a FAFSA or ISNAW by March 1st proceeding the academic year for which the award is made (e.g., March 1, 2010 for the 2010-11 acadeic year). Students may access the FAFSA application at the U.S. Department of Education website at http://www.fafsa.gov. The ISNAW is available through the OSFA website at http://www.financialaid.ku.edu/~osfa/publications.shtml.

Applications may be submitted in one of the following ways:

1. Hand deliver to the reception area of Oldfather Studios.

2. Mail to the following address:
Scholarship Committee
Department Film and Media Studies
1621 W. 9th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044-2488

3. Email to Lene Brooke at lbrooke@ku.edu. This method is not recommended due to privacy concerns. If you do submit your application via email, please send your student ID number in a separate email rather than on your application form.

Notification: Students being awarded Department financial aid will be notified at the annual student recognition ceremonies held at the end of the spring semester.

Questions: Please contact Lene Brooke at lbrooke@ku.edu or 785-864-7156.

Application Forms

Scholarships applications are available only from February 1 - March 1 of each year.

Film & Media Studis Scholarships and Awards

Mark Amin Scholarship
(Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Awarded to Undergraduate and Graduate students with academic merit and financial need. Preference will be given to students of Iranian descent and then to students of Arabian descent. Applicants must file a need analysis form by March 1.*

Berg Family Film Studies Award
(Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Awarded to undergraduate and/or gradute Film Studies majors with a demonstrated interest in either an academic or professional film career.

Donald and Betty Dixon Scholarship
(Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who are studying in the Department of Film and Media Studies.

Adah Clark Hagan Scholarship for Film Students (Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates must show evidence of excellence in both the academic and performance areas of film.

Harley S. Nelson Scholarship
(Only Undergraduates are eligible)
Awarded in the spring of the junior year with the money to be disbursed during the senior year. Awarded for excellence without regard to need. Recipients should have an outstanding academic record both in general studies and in the major. A 3.0 overall grade point average is required with at least a 3.5 in the major. (Nominated by the Department; Disbursed by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.)

Claire Reinhold Scholarship
(Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Awarded to outstanding undergraduate and graduate drama students. Candidates must majoring in Film and Media Studies.

Charles "Buddy" Rogers Scholarship
(Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Awarded Undergraduate and Graduate Film students who are U.S. citizens and are not on an athletic scholarship. Candidates must show evidence of financial need and excellence in both the academic and performance areas of Film. Applicants must file a need analysis form by March 1.*

Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship
(Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who are studying the performing arts in the Department of Film and Media Studies, Candidates must show evidence of financial need. Applicants must file a need analysis form by March 1.*

Peter and Ann Thompson Undergraduate Film Scholarship
(Only Undergraduates are eligible)
Awarded to a declared undergraduate film major. A 3.0 overall grade point average is required. Candidates must have Kansas residency and must show evidence of financial need. Applicants must file a need analysis form by March 1.*

Women in Film Scholarship
(Undergraduates & Graduates are eligible)
Open to Undergraduate and Graduate women who are studying film in the Department of Film and Media Studies. Demonstrated excellence in creative work and film and media studies, GPA of 3.7 in Department coursework and 3.5 overall. Must show a commitment to pursuing a career in film and media, either studies or production.

Mallory Yund Undergraduate Film Scholarship For Women
(Undergraduates are eligible)
Awarded to a female declared undergraduate film major. A minimum GPA of 3.7 for coursework within the Department and 3.5 overall is required. Must show interest in pursuing a career in film production. Must be from out-of-state and must show evidence of financial need. Applicants must file a need analysis form by March 1.*

*In order to be considered departmental need-based scholarships, the Film & Media Studies deadline is March 1 for domestic students to have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or International students to have submitted a KU International Student Need Analysis Worksheet. Both forms are available on the KU Office of Student Aid website at www.ku.edu/~osfa. Click here for more information.

Graduate Handbook

Coming Soon

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Qualified students may receive graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) for up to five academic years. A typical GTA appointment involves teaching discussion sections of large lecture classes under the supervision of a faculty member; appointments may also include service as primary instructor for undergraduate courses or other duties assigned by the graduate faculty. Regular assistantships provide a full tuition waiver, health insurance, and an annual stipend of around $12,000 for master's and doctoral students. Base salaries and merit increases for GTAs are set via collective bargaining between the University and the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition (GTAC), the campus representative of the Kansas Association of Public Employees (KAPE).

Study Abroad

For several years, KU's Film Area has participated in a Student Exchange program with the University of Stirling, located in the gateway to the Highlands.

Stirling is an ancient fortress town dominated by its famous castle and ancient residence of Scotland's kings. In the last century, the city of Stirling has developed into a modern town of about 35,000.

There is beautiful countryside, in easy reach of Stirling, offers unrivaled leisure opportunities from hill walking to skiing, from windsurfing to horse riding. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, both world famous areas of natural beauty, lie within Stirling District. Stirling is one hour by rail from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and is ideally situated for travel to London, exploring the UK, or traveling to Europe.

For more information about this program, see KU's Office of Study Abroad.

For a direct link to the University of Stirling's academic programs, click here.