Film, Media and Communications Optional Emphasis

Students enrolled in the BA or BS film programs can select an optional area of emphasis, although choosing an emphasis is not required. An emphasis helps students focus their coursework in an area of special interest to them in preparation for their future careers. The seven areas of emphases are:

  1. Documentary: Emphasizes building artistic and technical skills in the production of cinematic non-fiction storytelling.
  2. Photography: Provides a strong foundation in the aesthetics, technology, and business of capturing the still image.
  3. Cinematography: Emphasis on controlling light, motion, and the camera lens to tell cinematic stories.
  4. Film Studies: Focus on academic analysis and appreciation of film and media.
  5. Writing: Emphasizes fictional and non-fictional storytelling.
  6. Producing: Focus on the budgeting, organization, and management of media development, production, and distribution.
  7. Audio Production: Develops specific skills in recording, mixing, and producing audio for live performance, studio, music and cinematic applications.

Emphasis 1: Documentary

Required Courses

FLM 127Documentary Storytelling

3

FLM 128Documentary Editing

3

FLM 129ADocumentary Filmmaking 1

3

Elective Courses for Documentary Emphasis

Choose five of the following courses:
FLM 102Cell Phone Cinema

3

FLM 115Audio Storytelling

3

FLM 120Post Production with Adobe

3

FLM 125Media Anthropology

3

FLM 129BDocumentary Filmmaking 2

3

FLM 130ADocumentary Production Workshop A

3

FLM 130BDocumentary Production Workshop B

3

FLM 131AFilm, Media and Social Justice

3

FLM 131BFilm, Media and Social Justice

3

FLM 143APost-Production Audio 1

3

FLM 144ACinematography 1

3

FLM 157Social Media Advocacy

3

JRN 112Photojournalism

3

JRN 125Mobile Journalism

3

JRN 147Newscasting

3

PHO 2Foundations of Photography

3

PHO 104Lighting for People

3

PHO 181Sports Photography

3

PHO 182Imaging Time

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Emphasis 2: Photography

Required Courses

PHO 2Foundations of Photography

3

PHO 8The Art of Lighting

3

PHO 30Studio Product Photography

3

PHO 104Lighting for People

3

Elective Courses for Photography Emphasis

Choose four courses (12 units) from PHO and/or from the following:

ART 10Photography I

3

ART 108Digital Deluge

3

ART 150APhotography II: Portraiture

3

ART 152AColor Digital Photography

3

JRN 112Photojournalism

3

Total Credit Hours:12

Emphasis 3: Cinematography

Required Courses

PHO 2Foundations of Photography

3

FLM 144ACinematography 1

3

FLM 144BCinematography 2

3

Elective courses for Cinematography Emphasis

Choose five of the following courses:

FLM 119Music Video Production

3

FLM 123Commercial Production

3

FLM 129ADocumentary Filmmaking 1

3

PHO 180Masters of Light

3

PHO 182Imaging Time

3

FLM 193AProduction Workshop: On-Set Production 1

3

FLM 193BProduction Workshop: On-Set Production 2

3

FLM 196Experimental Film & Video

3

JRN 112Photojournalism

3

JRN 147Newscasting

3

PHO 30Studio Product Photography

3

PHO 104Lighting for People

3

PHO 112Food and Beverage Photography

3

PHO 113Advanced Tabletop Photography

3

PHO 114Automotive Photography

3

PHO 175Fashion Photography

3

PHO 181Sports Photography

3

PHO 188Wedding Photography

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Emphasis 4: Film Studies

Core major courses plus eight additional history or genre classes (24 units), such as

PHI 167Ethics and Film

3

PHI 175Philosophy of Film

3

FLM 124Gender and Media

3

FLM 125Media Anthropology

3

FLM 131AFilm, Media and Social Justice

3

FLM 136Disney Inc. and Mass Popular Culture

3

FLM 142AWomen in Hollywood

3

FLM 158Heroes Villains and Warriors

3

FLM 168Race, Sex & Hollywood

3

FLM 171Film Noir and the City

3

FLM 177Science Fiction & Human Rights

3

FLM 178Suspense Horror & Mayhem

3

or by department advisement

Emphasis 5: Writing

Required Courses

FLM 137AScreenwriting 1

3

FLM 137BScreenwriting 2

3

JRN 101Basic News Writing

3

Electives for Writing Emphasis

Choose four of the following courses:

ENG 106Introduction to Creative Writing

3

ENG 109Writing: Voice and View

3

FLM 118New Media

3

FLM 127Documentary Storytelling

3

FLM 134Non-Fiction to Film

3

FLM 137CScreenwriting 3

3

FLM 167Screenwriting Pitching & Packaging

3

JRN 102Advanced Reporting and News Writing

3

JRN 135Science & Environmental Reporting

3

JRN 145Arts & Entertainment Reporting

3

SW 109Communication & Writing Essentials

3

Total Credit Hours:12

Emphasis 6: Producing

Required Courses

BUS 5Business Law I

3

FLM 154AProducing 1

3

FLM 160ADirecting 1

3

FLM 193AProduction Workshop: On-Set Production 1

3

Electives for Producing Emphasis

Choose five of the following courses:

BUS 4Business Foundations and Analysis

3

BUS 15AAccounting Principles I

3

BUS 21The Essentials of Business Writing and Presentation

3

BUS 145Entrepreneurship

3

BUS 160Principles of Marketing

3

BUS 165New Media Marketing

3

FLM 119Music Video Production

3

FLM 123Commercial Production

3

FLM 130ADocumentary Production Workshop A

3

FLM 131BFilm, Media and Social Justice

3

FLM 146Film Marketing

3

FLM 154BProducing 2

3

FLM 157Social Media Advocacy

3

FLM 167Screenwriting Pitching & Packaging

3

FLM 174Post-Production

3

FLM 193BProduction Workshop: On-Set Production 2

3

JRN 122Public Relations

3

PHO 111The Art Director

3

SOC 38Statistics for Social Science

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Emphasis 7: Audio Production

Required Courses

FLM 115Audio Storytelling

3

FLM 138AAudio Production & Recording Principles 1

3

FLM 143APost-Production Audio 1

3

FLM 152AMusic for Visual Media 1

3

Elective Courses for Audio Production Emphasis

Choose four of the following courses:

FLM 108Live Event Production

3

FLM 119Music Video Production

3

FLM 138BAudio Production & Recording Principles 2

3

FLM 143BPost-Production Audio 2

3

FLM 152BMusic for Visual Media 2

3

FLM 155Pro Tools Essentials

3

FLM 174Post-Production

3

FLM 193AProduction Workshop: On-Set Production 1

3

FLM 193BProduction Workshop: On-Set Production 2

3

FLM 193CProduction Workshop: Post-Production

3

MUS 3Discovering Music Fundamentals

3

MUS 13Applied Music (Non-Maj)

1-3

MUS 113Applied Music (Non-Maj)

1-3

MUS 131Music Technology

2

MUS 134Orchestration & Arranging

2

MUS 153Introduction to Music Industry

3

MUS 155Introduction to Songwriting

3

Total Credit Hours:12