Film and Media Studies (BA [International Honours] in Interdisciplinary Studies, Film & Media Studies)

The Joint Degree Program in Film Studies

The aims and objectives of the Joint Degree in Film Studies remain grounded in film: to introduce students to the construction of the image, the history of various national cinema movements, the shape of the international film industry, and the theoretical approaches that can be applied to film. However, our collaboration will also allow students to explore the interrelated fields of television, print, radio, and other media as aesthetic and cultural practices and forms. This study of contemporary and historical media will allow students to understand the way representation affects our understanding of gender, sexuality, national identity, racial and ethnic identities, and the influence of global markets and politics. All Film Studies majors in the joint program have the opportunity to work on an independent research project as part of their degree, either by writing a dissertation at St Andrews or by pursuing an Honors Thesis or Independent Study at William & Mary.

Requirements for the Joint Degree Program in Film Studies

Note: FMST is the prefix for Film & Media Studies courses at W&M; FM is the prefix for Film Studies courses at St Andrews.

Required Credit Hours:

58 credits toward the major, at least 21 of which are completed at W&M
Credit Requirements During Honours Years (Years 3 and 4)
- Students must earn at least 60 (W&M)/240 (StA) credits in Years 3 and 4 combined.
- Of the 60/240, students must earn 30 (W&M)/120 (StA) credits at each university.
- With the approval of the Programme Directors and major advisors at both institutions, students may apply up to six (6) 300- or 400-level credits taken at W&M during the summers before Years 3 and 4 toward the total required Honours credits.
- Of the 60/240, students must earn at least 52.5 (W&M)/210 (StA) credits at the 300(0)-400(0) level in Years 3 and 4 combined. Normally, no more than 7.5/30 credits below the 300(0) level may be earned. No courses below the 300(0) level will be used for St Andrews classification.
  - Of the 60/240 total credits, at least 45 (W&M)/180 (StA) credits must be in the major at the 300(0)-400(0) level.
    - Of the 45/180 major credits, at least 22.5 (W&M)/90 (StA) must be at the 4000 level at St Andrews or at the equivalent level at W&M. Some 300 level courses at W&M will count towards this requirement. See the major advisor for a list.

Major Computing Requirement:

The major computing requirement is satisfied by FM 2002 at St Andrews or FMST 302 at W&M.

Major Writing Requirement:

A student who satisfies all requirements for the Film Studies major will also satisfy the Major Writing Requirement.

Core Requirements:

All Film Studies majors in the joint program are required to take the following:

First Year

At William & Mary:
FMST 250 - Introduction to Film and Media Studies Credits: (3)
FMST 310 - World Cinema before TV (3)
At St Andrews:
FM1001 - Key Concepts in Film Studies
FM1002 - Film History and Historiography

Second Year

At William & Mary:
FMST 302 - Theories of Film & Media Credits: (3)
FMST 311 - World Cinema after TV Credits: (3)
At St Andrews:
FM2002 - Film Theory, Culture, Entertainment
FM2003 - Screen Cultures Today: Media & Methods

Years Three and Four

In years 3 & 4, students must satisfy the following distribution requirements in the major (some of these distribution requirements may be satisfied in year 2 at W&M, but students will still need to meet the 45 credit total required in years 3 & 4):

One course in a national cinema or a comparative course in global cinema. At W&M, a 3 credit course selected from the following:
CHIN 280 - East Asian Cultures Through Film Credits: (3)
CHIN 360 - Introduction to Chinese Cinema Credits: (3)
FMST 330 - Topics in Global Media Credits: (3)
FREN 310 - French Cinema Credits: (3)
FREN 393 - Topics in French/Francophone Cinema Credits: (3)
GRMN 220 - German Cinema. (Taught in English) Credits: (3)
HISP 320 - Topics in Hispanic Cinema Credits: (3)
HISP 321 - Puerto Rican Cultural Studies: Boriké’s Cultural Production Credits: (3)
JAPN 280 - East Asian Cultures Through Film Credits: (3)
JAPN 311 - Japanese Cinema Credits: (3)
JAPN 330 - Imagining Japanese Culture: Issues and Methods Credits: (3)
RUSN 309 - Topics in Russian Cinema (Taught in English) Credits: (3)
RUSN 340 - Russian Media Culture (Taught in Russian) Credits: (3)
RUSN 380 - Russian Cinema: ‘The Most Important Art’ (Taught In English) Credits: (3)
At St Andrews:
FM4107
FM4111
FM4204
FM4206
FM4207
2-3 W&M credits in a course on Media in Practice (that is, with a production component): FMST 370
A research seminar at W&M (FMST 401 ), or a 4000-level course at St Andrews besides the dissertation
An Honors thesis or Independent Study at W&M, or a dissertation module at St Andrews (FM 4099)
Additional elective credits to satisfy the total credit requirement of 45/180 credits approved for your major in years 3 and 4 (see above under required credit hours).