Courses in Film

For course descriptions and major requirements, please check Vassar’s Online Course Catalogue. Check the “Ask Banner” site for an up-to-date Schedule of Classes organized by department and semester.

Information for Majors

Declaring the Major
Students normally declare their major during the spring of their sophomore year. In consultation with a department advisor, students fill out a series of forms, planning their future course of study.

Curriculum Advice for Pre-Majors
If you are considering majoring in film, the department suggests that you complete all general college requirements—language, quantitative, freshman course—during the freshman year. Seek out courses that will refine your ability to write logically and gracefully. Film majors need to be strong writers. Film 175, The Art of Film is a recommended course but not required for the major. This course can be taken during Freshman year.

Second semester freshman year, when you pre-register for the fall, sign up for WORLD CINEMA FILM 210/211, because they are the “gateway” courses to the major.

Any film courses offered on the Freshman (100) level do not count towards the major requirements. Thus, potential majors should not be distressed if these classes are full and they cannot enroll.

Classes in national cinemas and other topics are offered by departments other than Drama and Film. Majors are allowed to count up to two such courses towards their requirements. Check the department handout each year for Approved Electives. Handouts are available in the Department Office.

Criteria for Honors
The criteria for departmental honors in film are re-evaluated by the department every year, so these may change. Currently the criteria are:

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
• A GPA of 3.6 or better in courses offered by the Department of Film
• Work of exceptional merit in two areas within the film curriculum as determined by the voting faculty members of the department. One of these areas must be critical studies. The other may be either (1) some aspect of film or digital video production, or (2) screenwriting.

Note: Receiving an "A" in a course does not necessarily indicate that a student has produced work of exceptional merit in that area of film study.

If you have any questions, please consult your advisor.

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