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, critical analysis, aesthetics, and production of cinema. As a result, majors approach cinema—including film, television, and new media—from a variety of disciplinary 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 department'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 seek internships in their chosen areas of potential career interest and expertise.
Faculty
Peter Alilunas, associate 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. (2011)
Priscilla Peña Ovalle, associate professor (cinema studies, ethnic studies). BS, 1998, Emerson College; MA, 2001, California, Los Angeles; PhD, 2006, Southern California. (2006)
Ari Purnama, assistant professor (cinema studies). BA, 2007, Padjajaran; MA, 2011, Groningen; PhD, 2019, Groningen. (2020)
Sergio Rigoletto, associate professor (cinema studies, Italian). Laurea, 2002, Catania; MA, 2004, Birkbeck, London; PhD, 2010, Reading. (2012)
Jerell Rosales, instructor in production (fiction) (cinema studies). BA, 2012, California, Los Angeles; MFA, 2017, California, Los Angeles. (2020)
Andre Sirois, instructor (cinema studies); multimedia supervisor. BA, 2002, Central Connecticut State; MA, 2005, Maine; PhD, 2011, Oregon. (2012)
Daniel Gómez Steinhart, associate 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.
Appointed Faculty
Michael Allan, comparative literature
Gabriela Martinez, journalism and communication
Janet Wasko, journalism and communication
Affiliated Faculty
Kenneth S. Calhoon, comparative literature
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 and public culture, 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
The department provides qualified undergraduate majors with options for participating in the honors program. Students arriving in the 2018–19 academic year or earlier may receive program honors at graduation if they have a final cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.75 in cinema studies course work. Beginning in 2019–20, incoming students must meet this GPA and, in addition, complete a scholarly or screenwriting project that originates from a cinema studies course and is then expanded in a faculty-led project development seminar. An honors college thesis also fulfills program honors requirements.
For more information, contact 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 | |
| Core Education Course in Science | Start of Science Area of Inquiry Courses | 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 | |
| Core Education Science Area of Inquiry satisfying course | 4 | ||
| CINE 266 | History of the Motion Picture II | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of first-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| Core Education Social Science Area of Inquiry satisfying course | Start of Social Science Area of Inquiry courses | 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 | ||
| Cultural Literacy Course in US: Difference, Inequality, and Agency or Global Perspectives | Start of Cultural Literacy requirement | 4 | |
| Core Education Science Area of Inquiry satisfying course | 4 | ||
| CINE Production A course | CINE Production A complete | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of second-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| Core Education Social Science Area of Inquiry satisfying course | 4 | ||
| Cultural Literacy Course in Global Perspectives or US: Difference, Inequality, and Agency | Cultural Literacy 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 | |
| Core Education Social Science Area of Inquiry satisfying course | Social science requirement complete | 4 | |
| Core Education Science Area of Inquiry satisfying course | Science requirement complete | 4 | |
| CINE Core | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| Upper-division elective course | 4 | ||
| Core Education Arts and Letters Area of Inquiry satisfying courses | 8 | ||
| Core course with CINE subject code | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Upper-division elective courses | 8 | ||
| Core courses with CINE subject code | 8 | ||
| Begin minor(s) or continue double major | |||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Upper-division elective courses | 8 | ||
| CINE Production or CINE elective course | 4 | ||
| Core course with CINE subject code | 4 | ||
| CINE internship encouraged this term (or in summer) | |||
| 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 | 16 | ||
| Complete minor(s) or double major. CINE internship encouraged this term | |||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | ||
Certificate in Film Studies
The certificate in film studies requires 36 credits in courses chosen from three groups:
- Fundamental requirements
- Core requirements
- General electives or additional core courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Requirements | ||
| 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 | ||
| Core Requirements 1 | ||
| Four core courses that strengthen students’ understanding of cinema as a dynamic, multicultural, and transnational phenomenon. | 16 | |
| General Electives or Additional Core Courses | ||
| Two electives courses that broaden students’ exposure to cinema and media studies. These courses do not focus exclusively on cinema but study it in relation to other subjects 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. | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| 1 | At least one of the four courses must have the CINE subject code. |
Students must earn a grade of mid-C or better in required courses to count toward the certificate. Cinema studies majors are not eligible for the certificate.
Please visit the department's online term lists for the most effective options.
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 198. Workshop: [Topic]. 1-2 Credits.
Repeatable.
J 201; One from CINE 260M, ENG 260M, ENG 260; and two from CINE 265, 266, 267 or ENG 265, 266, 267
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: J 201; CINE 260M or ENG 260M; two from CINE 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: J 201; CINE 260M or ENG 260M; One from ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 208; and two from CINE 265, 266, 267.
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 370. Narrative Production II. 4 Credits.
Focuses on the creative choices and intermediate skills of narrative production.
Prereq: CINE 260M or ENG 260M; two from ENG 265, 266, 267; one from ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 208.
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: J 201; CINE 260M or ENG 260M; One from ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 208; and two from CINE 265, 266, 267.
CINE 410. Experimental Course. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
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: CINE/ENG 260M, J 201; two from CINE 265, 266, 267; one from ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 208.
CINE 426. Art of Directing: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Explores different approaches to directing by investigating a filmmaker’s use of narrative and aesthetic tools. Students will learn to work with actors, visualize stories, and build narratives through exercises based on particular directing techniques. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: J 201; CINE 260M or ENG 260M; One from ARTD 256, CINE 270, J 208; and two from CINE 265, 266, 267.
CINE 440. National and Regional Cinema: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Explores cinematic traditions, artistic styles and industrial practices in specific national and regional contexts as well as cinema’s global development. Also examines issues of transnationalism, globalization, and diaspora.
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 490. Directors and Genres: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Aesthetic, historical, and theoretical analysis of films, video, and television. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits when the topic changes.
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 540. National and Regional Cinema: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
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.
CINE 590. Directors and Genres: [Topic]. 4 Credits.
Aesthetic, historical, and theoretical analysis of films, video, and television. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 12 credits when the topic changes.
CINE 605. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.