Program: Cinema and Media Studies (BA)* - University of Southern California

Apr 02, 2025

USC Catalogue 2020-2021

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema and Media Studies is granted by the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts. Undergraduate students take their preprofessional courses in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, including the general education requirements. Major courses are selected from the curriculum of the School of Cinematic Arts. The degree requires 128 units, including 32 lower-division and 24 upper-division units in cinematic arts. A maximum of 40 School of Cinematic Arts upper-division units will apply to the BA degree. Before graduating, cinema and media studies majors are encouraged to take at least one small non-lecture class that emphasizes student critical writing or research papers. This category may include (but is not limited to): , , , , sections of or that require a D clearance, , and .

Required Production Course

Undergraduates admitted to the Cinema and Media Studies Program are required to take . introduces the interrelationship of visuals, sound and editing in cinematic communication. Students participate in directing and producing workshops as well as individual and group projects. Approximately $1,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses and insurance fees.

Required Courses

CNTV 101 Reality Starts Here Units: 2
CTCS 150gw Visions of Diversity in the Cinematic Arts Units: 4
CTCS 190g Introduction to Cinema Units: 4
CTCS 191 Introduction to Television and Video Units: 4
CTCS 192gm Race, Class, and Gender in American Film Units: 4
CTCS 200g History of the International Cinema I Units: 4
CTCS 201 History of the International Cinema II Units: 4
CTCS 473 Film and Media Theory Units: 4
CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication Units: 4, 6

One course from the following:

CTCS 392 History of the American Film, 1925–1950 Units: 4
CTCS 393 Postwar Hollywood, 1946-1962 Units: 4
CTCS 394 History of the American Film, 1977–present Units: 4

Four courses from the following:

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Additional Requirements

Grade Point Average Requirements

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not satisfy a major requirement.

Honors Program

Cinema and Media Studies offers an honors track for advanced students. Admission to the honors track is made at the end of the junior year and requires a 3.5 overall GPA. Completion of the honors track is dependent upon successful completion of a designated honors section of during the senior year. In this course, students will work with faculty in a seminar environment and produce an advanced term paper based on original research and analysis.

Limitations on Enrollment

No more than 40 upper-division units can be taken within the major without prior approval of the Dean, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Registration in graduate level courses (numbered 500) for undergraduate credit requires prior approval from the School of Cinematic Arts.

Curriculum Review

Cinematic arts majors are expected to meet with an academic adviser every semester to review their progress. Contact the Cinematic Arts Student Services Office, SCB 105, (213) 740-8358, for an appointment.