Cinema and Media Studies Major

The Department of Film, Television and Digital Media (FTDM) offers students a uniquely diverse and comprehensive array of courses designed to prepare its graduates to be industry leaders, creative contributors and/or impactful scholars in arguably the most pervasive and influential field of the 21st century.

In this scholarship- and research-oriented major, students practice the critical analysis of visual media (including film, television, streaming video, social media and virtual reality), with the goal of understanding how we are continuously influenced and shaped, as a culture and as individuals, by the media texts that have become essential components of our everyday lives.

Requirements

Students wishing to major in cinema and media studies must complete the following requirements for graduation:

  • A minimum of 120 semester hours overall, including at least 42 hours earned at the 30000 level or above
  • TCU Core Curriculum requirements
  • A minimum of 31 semester hours in the FTDM major courses, including at least 12 hours at the 30000 level or above
  • A minor of at least 18 hours; all requirements of the minor department must be followed
  • A grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in the FTDM department

Language requirements

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree also must demonstrate competency in a foreign language equivalent to completion of one of the following:

Course order

It is strongly recommended that Cinema and Media Studies majors complete their course requirements in this order:

  1. Departmental core requirements (9 hours)
  2. Additional foundational course (3 hours)
  3. Critical studies courses (15 hours. Choose five from the following list)
  4. Additional requirements