Cinema Studies
Priscilla Peña Ovalle, Department Head
541-346-8104
541-346-8144 fax
201 McKenzie Hall
6223 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-6223
info@uoregon.College
The cinema studies major blends a film- and media-focused liberal arts education with creative work in digital filmmaking. Because cinema is inherently multidisciplinary, courses for the major span the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Design, and the School of Journalism and Communication, and include a diverse array of courses in the history, theory, and aesthetics of cinema as well as in digital production. This collaboration is unique to Oregon: cinema studies majors take their courses across three different schools rather than from one department or program within one school, learning to understand the medium from a variety of disciplinary angles and perspectives.
The bachelor of arts in cinema studies provides its graduates with a sound foundation for entering their chosen professions or continuing their education in graduate school. It also gives them the critical and analytic skills to adapt to the changes that are likely to occur in their professions throughout their lifetimes.
Students in the major are encouraged to study overseas in programs that immerse them in different cultures and languages, including the program's own summer program in Dublin, Ireland, at the National Film School of Ireland, housed in the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology. Students are also encouraged to work with the program's staff to seek internships in their chosen areas of potential career interest and expertise.
Faculty
Peter Alilunas, assistant professor (cinema studies). BA, 2006, Oregon; MA, 2008, Texas, Austin; PhD, 2013, Michigan. (2014)
Michael G. Aronson, associate professor (cinema studies). BA, 1994, Pennsylvania; MA, 1997, PhD, 2002, Pittsburgh. (2003)
Michael Bray, instructor (digital arts, cinema). BA, 1997, Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; MFA, 2008, Oregon. (2008)
Sangita Gopal, associate professor (cinema studies). BA, 1990, Calcutta; MA, 1995, PhD, 2000, Rochester. (2004)
Erin Hanna, assistant professor (cinema studies). BA, 2004, MA 2007 York (Toronto); PhD, 2014, Michigan. (2014)
Masami Kawai, instructor (cinema studies). BA, 2003, Hampshire College; MFA, 2013, California, Los Angeles. (2014)
Dong Hoon Kim, associate professor (cinema studies). BA, 1998, Yonsei; MA, 2002, PhD, 2008, Southern California. (2011)
Kevin May, instructor (cinema studies); multimedia assistant. BA, 2006, MEd, 2010, Oregon (2016)
HyeRyoung Ok, instructor (cinema studies). BA, 1996, MA, 2000, Seoul National; MA, 2002, New York; PhD, 2008, Southern California. (2016)
Priscilla Peña Ovalle, associate professor (film studies, Latino cinema). BS, 1998, Emerson College; MA, 2001, California, Los Angeles; PhD, 2006, Southern California. (2006)
Sergio Rigoletto, associate professor (cinema studies, Italian). Laurea, 2002, Catania; MA, 2004, Birkbeck, London; PhD, 2010, Reading. (2012)
Andre Sirois, instructor (cinema studies); multimedia supervisor. BA, 2002, Central Connecticut State; MA, 2005, Maine; PhD, 2011, Oregon. (2012)
Daniel Gomez Steinhart, assistant professor (cinema studies). BA, 2000, Wesleyan; MA, 2006, PhD, 2013, California, Los Angeles. (2014)
The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.
Participating Faculty
Michael Allan, comparative literature
Gabriela Martinez, journalism and communication
Janet Wasko, journalism and communication
Affiliated Faculty
Kenneth S. Calhoon, comparative literature
Richard Herskowitz, art
Daniel L. Miller, journalism and communication
Kate Mondloch, history of art and architecture
Elizabeth M. Peterson, library
Stephen Rust, English
Biswarup "Bish" Sen, journalism and communication
Rick Silva, art
Undergraduate Studies
The bachelor of arts in cinema studies consists of 56 credits divided among four categories: fundamentals, production, core courses, and electives. The major includes the option of graduating with honors. A bachelor of science degree is not offered.
Courses in the major must be taken for a letter grade, and students must earn a grade of mid-C or better for credit toward the major. At least 28 credits must be taken in residence at the University of Oregon.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals Courses 1 | ||
| J 201 | Media and Society | 4 |
| CINE 260M | Media Aesthetics | 4 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| History of the Motion Picture I | ||
| History of the Motion Picture II | ||
| History of the Motion Picture III | ||
| Production Courses | ||
| Select one of the following Production A courses: 2 | 4 | |
| Introduction to Documentary Production | ||
| Introduction to Production | ||
| Introduction to Narrative Cinema Production | ||
| For a list of courses that satisfy Production B requirements (one is required), review the term course lists at cinema.uoregon.edu/term-course-lists. | 4 | |
| Core Courses 3 | ||
| For a list of courses that satisfy core requirements, review the course lists at cinema.uoregon.edu/term-course-lists. A total of six core courses, at least one from each category, is required. | 24 | |
| Electives 4 | ||
| For a list of courses that satisfy elective requirements, review the course lists at cinema.uoregon.edu/term-course-lists. Two electives are required and may include additional fundamentals, production, and/or core courses. | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 56 | |
| 1 | Fundamentals courses (16 credits) introduce majors to three central approaches to cinema studies: historical, social-institutional, and aesthetic. These must be completed before entry into production courses.
|
| 2 | Production courses (8 credits: 4 from Production A and 4 from Production B) give majors a chance to learn the essentials of media production.
|
| 3 | Core courses (24 credits) strengthen students’ understanding of cinema as a dynamic, multicultural, and transnational phenomenon. Please see term course list for offerings.
|
| 4 | Electives (8 credits) allow students to broaden their exposure to cinema and media studies. These courses are not focused exclusively on cinema but instead study it in relation to other modes of inquiry, including (but not limited to) Asian studies, comparative literature, ethnic studies, folklore, philosophy, journalism, literary studies, music, Romance languages, and women's, gender, and sexuality studies. A wide variety of elective courses from a range of departments and programs are available. Additional fundamentals, production, and core courses may also count as elective courses. |
Honors
Students receive program honors at graduation if they have a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 in cinema studies course work.
Please contact Veratta Pegram-Floyd, assistant director of student services, with any questions: info@uoregon.College.
Four-Year Degree Plan
The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.
Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| First term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| WR 121 | College Composition I | 4 | |
| General education course in science | Start of science group classes; two science courses must share prefix | 4 | |
| CINE 265 | History of the Motion Picture I | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| WR 122 or WR 123 |
College Composition II or College Composition III |
4 | |
| General education science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
| CINE 266 | History of the Motion Picture II | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| General education social science group-satisfying course | Start of social science group classes; two social science courses must share prefix | 4 | |
| CINE 260M | Media Aesthetics | 4 | |
| J 201 | Media and Society | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| First term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in American cultures, international cultures, or identity, pluralism, and tolerance | Start of multicultural requirement | 4 | |
| General education science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
| CINE Production A course | CINE Production A complete | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| General education social science group-satisfying course | 4 | ||
| Multicultural course in American cultures, international cultures, or identity, pluralism, and tolerance | Multicultural requirement complete | 4 | |
| CINE Production B course | Production requirements completed | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of second-year second-language sequence | Second language requirement complete | 4 | |
| General education social science group-satisfying course | Social science requirement complete; two social studies courses must share a prefix | 4 | |
| General education science group-satisfying course | Science requirement complete; two science courses must share a prefix | 4 | |
| CINE Core | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| Upper-division elective course | 4 | ||
| General education arts and letters group-satisfying courses | 8 | ||
| Core course with CINE subject code | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Upper-division elective courses | Begin minor(s) or continue double major | 8 | |
| Core courses with CINE subject code | 8 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Upper-division elective courses | 8 | ||
| CINE Production or CINE elective course | 4 | ||
| Core course with CINE subject code | CINE internship encouraged this term (or in summer) | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| Upper-division courses | 8 | ||
| CINE Production or CINE elective | CINE elective requirements complete | 4 | |
| CINE core course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Upper-division courses | 16 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Upper-division courses | Complete minor(s) or double major. CINE internship encouraged this term | 16 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
Certificate in Film Studies
The certificate in film studies requires 36 credits in courses chosen from four groups:
- Introduction to film studies
- Aesthetics, theory, and methods of film studies
- Film and society
- Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| ENG 265–266 & CINE 260M | History of the Motion Picture and Media Aesthetics | 12 |
| Aesthetics, Theory, and Methods of Film Studies 1 | ||
| At least one course from English, music, journalism and communication, or other schools or departments on media production and industries, film history, music, genres, and other topics emphasizing the aesthetic aspects of film. Visit the Department of Cinema Studies online term lists for the most effective options, especially core A and core B courses. | 8 | |
| Film and Society 1 | ||
| At least two courses from foreign-language departments, English, the social sciences, journalism and communication, or other departments and schools on national cinemas—China, France, Germany, Russia, or other nations—and other topics emphasizing the social aspects of film. Visit the Cinema Studies Program online term lists for the most effective options, especially core C courses. | 8 | |
| Electives 1 | ||
| At least two electives in film studies area 2 | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| 1 | As many as four credits in independent study may fulfill requirement. |
| 2 | Selected in consultation with advisor, these courses can be in a related field, such as theater arts, or another film course. Visit the Department of Cinema Studies online term lists for the most effective options, especially elective classes. |
Students must earn a grade of mid-C or better in required courses, including independent studies.
Courses
CINE 110M. Introduction to Film and Media. 4 Credits.
Introduction to film and media studies and various methods of critical analysis. Multilisted with ENG 110M.
CINE 111. How to Watch TV. 4 Credits.
Introduction to the critical analysis of television narrative, aesthetics, and reception.
CINE 151M. Introduction to Korean Cinema. 4 Credits.
Surveys Korean national cinema, from the earliest days of the medium to the present. Multilisted with KRN 151M.
CINE 199. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CINE 230. Remix Cultures. 4 Credits.
Study of issues surrounding media production and consumption in relation to intellectual property laws in modern society. Open to all majors.
CINE 260M. Media Aesthetics. 4 Credits.
Introduction to the analysis of form and style in cinema and related media, focusing on narrative, mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and sound. Multilisted with ENG 260M.
CINE 265. History of the Motion Picture I. 4 Credits.
Studies the technological, artistic, and cultural histories of motion pictures in various national contexts, from precinema through the silent era. Series with CINE 266, CINE 267.
CINE 266. History of the Motion Picture II. 4 Credits.
Studies the technological, artistic, and cultural histories of motion pictures in various national contexts, from the transition to sound through the early 1960s. Series with CINE 265, CINE 267.
CINE 267. History of the Motion Picture III. 4 Credits.
Studies the technological, artistic, and cultural histories of motion pictures in various national contexts, from the 1960s through the present. Series with CINE 265, CINE 266.
CINE 268. United States Television History. 4 Credits.
Analyzes the history of US television, from its roots in radio broadcasting to the latest developments in digital television.
CINE 270. Introduction to Narrative Cinema Production. 4 Credits.
Focuses on basic theory and practice of digital video for narrative production.
Prereq: ENG 260, J 201; two from ENG 265, 266, 267.
CINE 320. Beginning Screenwriting. 4 Credits.
Introduction to the basics of writing for the screen. Provides students with an organized strategy for writing a feature film.
Prereq: ENG 260, J 201; two from ENG 265, 266, 267; one from ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 208.
CINE 330. Film Festivals. 4 Credits.
Surveys histories of film festivals in relation to their forms, functions, operations, marketing, curatorial missions, and social impacts.
Prereq: one from J 201, ENG 260, ENG 265, ENG 266, ENG 267.
CINE 335. Exhibition and Audiences. 4 Credits.
Explores the exhibition and reception of film and other media by audiences in various contexts.
CINE 340. Production Studies. 4 Credits.
Introduction to the development of production practices and the lived realities of film and television production workers.
CINE 345. Stars. 4 Credits.
An examination of how and why stars and celebrities are produced and marketed by entertainment industries.
CINE 350. Queer European Cinema. 4 Credits.
Examines questions of gender and sexuality within the transnational and national contexts of Europe, including its diverse cinematic landscapes, traditions, and star imagery.
CINE 360. Film Theory. 4 Credits.
Introduction to theoretical debates about film as a medium of artistic expression in a transhistorical and global framework.
CINE 362M. Contemporary Korean Film. 4 Credits.
Introduction to contemporary South Korean film. Explores changes in film culture, practice, and industry in relation to social changes since the early 1990s. Offered alternate years. Multilisted with KRN 362M.
CINE 365. Digital Cinema. 4 Credits.
Examines the impact of digital media technologies on diverse dimensions of cinematic experience encompassing the production, delivery, and reception.
CINE 381M. Film, Media, and Culture. 4 Credits.
Study of film and media as aesthetic objects shaped by a broad range of identity categories, reflecting communities identified by class, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality. Multilisted with ENG 381M.
CINE 399. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable when the topic changes.
CINE 401. Research: [Topic]. 1-12 Credits.
Repeatable.
CINE 404. Internship: [Topic]. 1-12 Credits.
Repeatable for a maximum of 12 credits; only 4 credits may count toward the cinema studies major.
CINE 405. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable for a maximum of 12 credits; only 4 credits may count toward the cinema studies major.
CINE 407. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CINE 408. Workshop: [Topic]. 1-12 Credits.
Repeatable when topic changes.
Prereq: One course from ARTD 252, ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 207, J 208.
CINE 410. Experimental Course. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
Prereq: one from ENG 110, 260.
CINE 411M. US Film Industry. 4 Credits.
Traces the past and present of the U.S. film industry. Multilisted with J 411M.
Prereq: J 201 with a grade of mid-C or better.
CINE 415. Cinema Careers. 2 Credits.
Explores the values and strengths of cinema-oriented jobs in the humanities, industry, and otherwise. Resume, cover letter, portfolio, and interview assignments hone oral and written communication skills.
CINE 420. Advanced Screenwriting. 4 Credits.
Provides advanced screenwriting students with an organized strategy for writing a feature film screenplay. Sequence with CINE 320.
Prereq: CINE 320 with grade of B– or better.
CINE 425. Cinema Production: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Exploration of intermediate to advanced techniques used in cinema production—from music videos to digital sound recording to 16-millimeter film. Topics include Directing, Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera Production, Music Video Production. Repeatable three times for a maximum of 16 credits when topic changes.
Prereq: ENG 260, J 201; two from ENG 265, 266, 267; one from ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 208.
CINE 470. Postwar Cinema : [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Examines how war has impacted film cultures across the globe and the relation between film industries and war. Develops analytical skills within an historical and national context. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits when the topic changes.
CINE 486M. New Media and Digital Culture: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Study of emerging media forms and techniques, such as digital cinema, video games, viral videos, and interactive media. Offered alternate years. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits. Multilisted with ENG 486M.
CINE 508. Workshop: [Topic]. 1-12 Credits.
Repeatable.
CINE 510. Experimental Course. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
CINE 511M. US Film Industry. 4 Credits.
Traces the past and present of the U.S. film industry. Multilisted with J 511M.
CINE 586M. New Media and Digital Culture: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Study of emerging media forms and techniques, such as digital cinema, video games, viral videos, and interactive media. Offered alternate years. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits. Multilisted with ENG 586M.