Film Studies

Welcome to the Film Studies Program!

Film Studies is an interdisciplinary minor that focuses on the history, theory, criticism of cinema. Special attention is also paid to the study of individual films as important and highly influential works of art, as complex and contested cultural artifacts, and as products of an ever-changing technology circulating within an increasingly globalized marketplace. The Film Studies minor is open to all College of Charleston students in any undergraduate degree program.

Film Studies combines the minor’s core courses, ENGL 212: The Cinema: History & Criticism and ENGL 351: Studies in American Film, with courses offered in a wide variety of disciplines within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of the Arts, and the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs. 

A Truly Interdisciplinary Program

The film studies program is truly interdisciplinary. It spans and connects a broad spectrum of subject areas, from literature to art history to the social sciences. In addition, students in this program are exposed to a variety of foreign cultures and historical eras. 

Why You Should Study Film  

You’ll benefit from the unique perspective that only film can provide. Imagine viewing Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands (1990) as a means of understanding cinematic expressionism, or Barry Jenkins's Moonlight (2016) as a means of understanding of cultural attitudes toward identity. Or maybe you’ll discuss the myth of American westward expansion in the films of John Ford.  

In addition to an emphasis on the history, theory and criticism of film, students in this program are introduced to film’s creative process, including cinematography, mise-en-scène and the principles of editing. And, the knowledge derived from the study of film can carry you well beyond this field.

We emphasize the synthesis of information, close textual analysis, critical thinking and writing skills, as well as a strong familiarity with the language of emerging technologies and new media. 

What Can I Do With a Minor in Film Studies? 

A film studies minor can enhance your opportunities in a wide range of careers such as:  

• Filmmaking and the film industry
• Content creation
• Business
• Journalism 
• Education
• Public relations
• Media consulting
• Arts administration

A minor in film studies can enhance your opportunities in a wide range of careers. Some graduates pursue their passion for filmmaking while others find careers in media, journalism, business, education, arts administration and more. By studying film, you will learn how to analyze popular culture and create visual stories. You will also fine tune your research and critical thinking skills – all desirable skills in today's dynamic marketplace.

The knowledge and skills I learned through the Film Studies minor helped me gain acceptance into the Film Production Master's Program at the University of Southern California and gave me an advantage over many of my fellow students who had never learned to think or write critically about film. Now, working in casting in Los Angeles, I regularly draw on the critical thinking I developed at CofC to discuss casting and character choices. – Thomas Horton (’14), Assistant Production Coordinator, IATSE, Atlanta

As a content creator, filmmaker, and editor, my time in the filmdepartment at the College left a more meaningful impact on my careerthan I would have ever imagined. Learning about film technique andtheory in the classroom led directly to my current career. Sitting downwith these films, engaging in dialogue with like-minded students,learning my own taste as a creator – these are fundamentalexperiences and knowledge that anyone who wants to use a camera,whether behind or in front, must go through. – Alex Eaker ('16), Director of Photography at Success Academy, New York City

I loved studying film at the College of Charleston! Studying film was fun, engaging and challenging in ways that were completely different compared to my major coursework in the natural sciences. Immersing myself in both schools had a synergistic effect. For example, the clarity and cadence of my scientific writing benefitted from my practice in writing about film, and my ability to think critically about movies benefitted from my work in science. Today, working in the biological sciences, I use the writing skills I learned from minoring in film to present science in an accessible manner. I also use the photography and videography skills I learned from the Film Club when generating content during field work and incorporating photos into academic articles. And of course, I also just enjoy watching movies more deeply because of my knowledge of film theory and production. The Film Studies minor at the College of Charleston was absolutely an integral part of my overall happiness at the College and has helped me in my current career in the sciences, too. – Bailey Fallon ('20), Research Assistant, Marine Biology Lab, Woods Hole, MA.

Minoring in the College of Charleston Film Studies program is anexperience that I will never forget! Not only were the professors soenthusiastic about what they taught us in the classroom, but they werealso diligent in helping students like me find opportunities andinternships in the film industry in and around Charleston. I interned with HBO's Righteous Gemstones and loved it! – Peyton Brotzman ('23), MBA student, College of Charleston