Valparaiso University College of Arts & Sciences

Film Studies Minor

Administrative Committee: Professors Byrne (English), Juneja (English), Kennedy (Philosophy), Morgan (Christ College), Sponberg (English), Trost (Political Science, Chair).

Objectives. The film studies minor offers an opportunity to discover the place and significance of an important twentieth century art which has also been a social force. Film can be studied for its artistry, its historical development, its influence on human perceptions of the world and its relation to such subjects as national cultures, technology, politics, mass media, theater and religion. The minor in Film Studies allows the small scale but concentrated study of one important art, and through it, modern times.

Requirements. At least 15 credit hours in film studies courses constitute a minor. The requirements include:

ENGL 231 Film Aesthetics 3 Cr.

At least one course from each of the following three areas 9 Cr.

Film and Literature
Film and Society
History of Film

A second course from one of these three areas may be counted toward the minor.

Other options include a special topics course

(e.g., Film and Religion) approved by the Chair of the Committee.

Film and Literature Area. Offered by the Department of English and the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures: ENGL 390, FLF 250, FLGR 250, FLS 250. These are special topics courses which from time to time offer appropriate topics, such as Shakespeare on Film, The Novel and Film, Storytelling in Film and Literature. These courses scrutinize both similarities and differences in the handling of a theme and show how literary analysis may be used in understanding the cinema.

Film and Society Area. Offered by the Department of History and the Department of Political Science: HIST 393, POLS 490 (Film and Politics). These courses consider film from the viewpoint of the historian and the social scientist, emphasizing the use of social-historical themes in film and the effect of film on society and history.

History of Film Area. Offered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, the Department of History and Christ College: FLGR 260, HIST 390, CC 300. Topics such as History of the German Film, History of the American Film and Film in Asia are offered. These courses consider the historical development of film art and the film industry in the context of one or more national traditions of cinema.