Program: Cinema Study [BA_CNM] - SUNY Cortland

2019-20 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 11, 2025

Communication and Media Studies Department
Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-114
607-753-4201
Email: cinema.studies@cortland.edu

Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Study is an interdisciplinary major focused on the critical study and production of film. Cinema is examined through the lens of aesthetic, cultural, historical and contemporary contexts.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of film and its role in society
Demonstrate the ability to use theoretical frameworks and tools in the analysis and interpretation of moving images
Demonstrate basic competence in the creation of associated media: audio, video, script writing, photography, animation, etc.

Special Features

Blackbird Film Festival
Structured independent learning opportunities in the areas of
- Research
- Writing
- Production
- Presentation
- Internships

Career Potential

Scriptwriting
Producing
Cinematography
Directing
Editing
Criticism
Education

Cinema History: 6 credit hours

CIN 101 - History of the Cinema I: The Silent Era (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 102 - History of the Cinema II: The Sound Era (3 cr. hr.)

Writing for Film: 9 credit hours

CIN 304 - Introduction to Play and Script Writing (3 cr. hr.)
COM 203 - Introduction to Media Writing (3 cr. hr.)
COM 322 - Intermediate Writing for Media (3 cr. hr.)

Film Analysis: 12 credit hours

At least 12 credit hours of film analysis coursework, with a minimum of 9 credit hours the upper level — 300 or above.

AAS 210 - Racial and Gender Role Stereotypes (3 cr. hr.)
AAS 432 - African Americans in Television and Film (3 cr. hr.)
AAS 436 - Films of Spike Lee (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 129 - Special Topics in Cinema Studies (1-4 cr. hr.)
CIN 208 - Introduction to Film Analysis (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 210 - Racial and Gender Role Stereotypes (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 225 - Aesthetics and Film (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 229 - Special Topics in Cinema Studies (1-4 cr. hr.)
CIN 305 - Film Criticism (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 329 - Special Topics in Cinema Studies (1-4 cr. hr.)
CIN 378 - Film as Literature (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 429 - Special Topics in Cinema Studies (1-4 cr. hr.)
CIN 432 - African Americans in Television and Film (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 493 - Foreign Films in Translation (3 cr. hr.)
COM 432 - African Americans in Television and Film (3 cr. hr.)
COM 436 - Films of Spike Lee (3 cr. hr.)
ENG 208 - Introduction to Film Analysis (3 cr. hr.)
ENG 278 - Introduction to Film and Short Fiction (3 cr. hr.)
ENG 305 - Film Criticism (3 cr. hr.)
HIS 351 - History and Film (3 cr. hr.)
PHI 235 - Aesthetics and Film (3 cr. hr.)

Cinema Production: 9 credit hours

At least 9 credit hours of film production coursework, with a minimum of 6 credit hours the upper level — 300 or above.

COM 243 - Video Production (3 cr. hr.)
COM 342 - Television Studio Production (3 cr. hr.)
COM 353 - Video Postproduction (3 cr. hr.)
COM 445 - Advanced Documentary (3 cr. hr.)
COM 446 - Advanced Filmmaking (3 cr. hr.)

Capstone: 3 credit hours

CIN 400 - Tutorial in Cinema Study (3 cr. hr.)

Total Credit Hours in the Major: 39

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the B.A. in Cinema Study over four years

The sample program listed is a model and does not reflect the expectations for all the programs. Students should consult an advisor to obtain up-to-date program requirements and to formulate a degree plan.

First Year Fall

CIN 101 - History of the Cinema I: The Silent Era (3 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.)
COM 210 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3 cr. hr.)
COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Foreign language (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

CIN 102 - History of the Cinema II: The Sound Era (3 cr. hr.)
CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign language course (3 cr. hr.)

GE 2 course (4 cr. hr.)

Cortland GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Fall

COM 110 - Introduction to Media Production (3 cr. hr.)
COM 203 - Introduction to Media Writing (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign language (3 cr. hr.)

GE course (3 cr. hr.)

GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Second Year Spring

COM 322 - Intermediate Writing for Media (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 208 - Introduction to Film Analysis (3 cr. hr.)
Foreign language (3 cr. hr.)

GE course (3 cr. hr.)

GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

CIN 210 - Racial and Gender Role Stereotypes (3 cr. hr.)
CIN 304 - Introduction to Play and Script Writing (3 cr. hr.)
COM 243 - Video Production (3 cr. hr.)
LASR elective (3 cr. hr.)

LASR elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Spring

CIN 305 - Film Criticism (3 cr. hr.)
or other upper division CIN elective
CIN 378 - Film as Literature (3 cr. hr.)
or other upper division CIN elective
COM 342 - Television Studio Production (3 cr. hr.)
LASR elective (3 cr. hr.)

LASR elective (3 cr. hr.)

Catalog

Description

Student Learning Outcomes

Special Features

Career Potential

Cinema History: 6 credit hours

Writing for Film: 9 credit hours

Film Analysis: 12 credit hours

Cinema Production: 9 credit hours

Capstone: 3 credit hours

Total Credit Hours in the Major: 39

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120

Example of the B.A. in Cinema Study over four years

First Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Second Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 13

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