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 Theories of Film & Media at W&M.

Major Writing Requirement

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

Course Specific Requirements

Joint Programme students are required to complete the university’s foreign language, writing, quantitative, and major computing proficiencies and a first-year seminar (COLL 150). All William & Mary home students in their first year, and host students from StA at W&M in their second year, will take a COLL 150 and a 1-credit course in the Fall that will prepare them for the academic culture at W&M. W&M first year home students will also take, in the Spring semester of their first year, a 1-credit course that will prepare them for their first year abroad.

Knowledge objectives:

Every student must take a total of nine credits explicitly labelled COLL 200, with at least one course in each of the three knowledge domains of not less than three credits. In addition, students must take one additional course, of not less than three credits, in each of the three knowledge domains of ALV, CSI, and NQR, for a minimum total of 9 credits.

Knowledge Objectives and Proficiency Requirement Guidelines

College Board Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate examinations, and college-level coursework completed post-high school graduation may be used to satisfy Knowledge Domain objectives (not COLL 200), Foreign Language Proficiency, and Mathematics Proficiency. Note that the credit does not count towards the degree, even if it is used to fulfill these requirements.
The COLL 150 and COLL 200 requirements must be met at W&M.
All other requirements may be met with either W&M or StA coursework.

Core Requirements

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