Film Studies

The Film Studies program introduces students to the history and development of cinema as an art, as an entertainment medium, as an object of philosophical study, and as a cultural and social phenomenon. The program examines film as a “text” which can be studied through diverse critical and theoretical perspectives. Students can enroll in a wide variety of courses in this area, including those in American and international film history, aesthetics and criticism, genre and gender studies, film in relation to society, literature into film, and cross-cultural film studies. Students can take courses in Film Studies to augment their liberal education through the acquisition of aesthetic and critical knowledge, or they may use their studies to gain entry into a wide variety of professions, including teaching, filmmaking, writing, archiving and preservation, advertising, film business and law, and production finance.

For additional career possibilities, visit the Career Services Center on the main campus to utilize computerized career information systems and other valuable career resources.

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Programs Offered

Degrees and Certificates

Associate Degree

Film Production

Certificates of Achievement

Film Production

Associate Degree Requirements

An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC;
Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

A Certificate of Achievement is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a designated minimum number of units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs have the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of emphasis. All major coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.

Catalog Rights

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education pattern for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.

Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.

A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For articulation agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.

Film Studies, Associate Degree

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will be able to demonstrate critical thinking and aesthetic judgment skills, both verbally and in writing, to the analysis of film as an art form and entertainment medium, utilizing and applying the specialized vocabulary of film studies as it has developed in the academic context and in the film industry. Students will also be able to identify and discuss the major historical developments, both artistic and technological, that have influenced the cinema throughout the twentieth century, as well as the social, economic and cultural factors that have shaped films from different gender and ethnic perspectives, and from domestic and international contexts.

Area of Emphasis: (21 units)

Required Courses: (9 units)

FILM 1,Film Appreciation Introduction to Cinema(3)

FILM 2,History of Motion Pictures(3)

FILM 5,Film and Society(3)

PLEASE NOTE: FILM 1 is intended as a beginning course to introduce students to film studies.

Elective Courses: (12 units minimum)

ANIM 5,History of Animation (formerly ET 61)(3)

FILM 6,Women in Film (3)

FILM 7,American Cinema: Crossing Cultures (3)

FILM 8,The Popular Film Genres (3)

FILM 9,The Great Film Makers (3)

FILM 10,Film Criticism and Interpretation (3)

FILM 11,Literature into Film (formerly same as ENGL 11)(3)

FILM 20,Beginning Scriptwriting (3)

FILM 21,Advanced Scriptwriting (3)

FILM 30,Production Planning for Film and Video(3)

FILM 31,Introduction to Digital Filmmaking (3)

FILM 40,Cinematography(3)