Film (Minor)

Pursue your passion for film.

MBU students can declare a major in Film until August 2024.
Students who have already declared a major or will declare one from the existing course catalog prior to August 2024 will be able to complete their major on schedule through courses offered at Mary Baldwin.

Film offers an exciting means for learning about contemporary culture and our increasingly global society. Additionally, the study of film enhances understanding of the communication process and media literacy by strengthening students’ understanding of visual language.

Students at Mary Baldwin choose either Film Studies or Film Production as their emphasis area.

Degree(s)
Minor Only
Internationally acclaimed artist and filmmaker, Kevin Everson, director of the University of Virginia studio art program.

Why minor in Film at Mary Baldwin?

The film minor emphasizes the critical or practical study of cinema as an art form, a mass media industry, and a social artifact that both reflects and shapes human culture. The minor integrates courses from many academic disciplines to provide students with cultural, historical, and aesthetic means to think about and create a variety of visual communication media. Film offers an exciting means for learning about contemporary culture and our increasingly global society. Additionally, the study of film enhances understanding of the communication process and media literacy by strengthening students’ understanding of visual language.

Students may choose one of two tracks: Film Studies or Film Production.

Film Studies emphasizes critical and theoretical approaches to cinema and visual culture. This track allows students to explore cinema as an international and multicultural expression of personal and communal values, as well as a creative means of expression.

Film Production offers students the option to apply theory to practice through courses in photography, scriptwriting, video production, and theater production. Students interested in pursuing this track will engage primarily in experiential classes.

Special Opportunities

  • Document special May Term projects, which may include study abroad trips as well as in-state topical projects
  • Document local topics of human interest
  • Intern at area television, video production companies, radio stations, or organizations needing film-oriented services
  • Videotape campus and local events of importance
  • Attend national and international film festivals as a student intern or participant
  • Create Public Service Announcements for campus broadcast
  • Explore civic engagement through class projects and group and individual assignments

Minor Requirements 

Course requirements for our 21-credit Film minor differ depending on whether you choose the Film Studies or Film Production track.

Sample Film Studies Courses

  • Film Analysis
  • Film Theory and Criticism
  • Women and Film
  • Philosophy and the Arts
  • Francophone Literature and Film

See all Film Studies course requirements.

Sample Film Production Courses

  • Film Analysis
  • Film/Video Production
  • Screenwriting
  • Directing Methods
  • Film Theory and Criticism

See all Film Production course requirements.

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