Qualified students are encouraged to conclude their work in the department by choosing the senior thesis option. The department encourages studies in the theories and techniques of other art disciplines, such as music, theater, painting, and literature. Honors Program Departmental honors are awarded to students whose senior theses are judged by the faculty to be of superior quality. In addition, honors are also awarded to those majors who have completed a substantive body of significant work in the department. Nominations for honors are submitted by individual faculty members, and the final decision rests with the entire Cinema Department faculty.
Senior standing is required.
The cinema major consists of five core courses and five electives. The core courses give students experience in the analysis of film and video and the creation of personal works in both media. A set of elective courses is chosen to reflect the student's dominant interests. Those who wish to stress filmmaking or videomaking should begin the major early enough in their academic careers to allow for the completion of the sequence of courses in those areas. They are advised to enroll in CINE 122, the prerequisite for all studio courses, in the first semester of the sophomore year.