The interdisciplinary minor in film studies at Trinity draws on courses in film studies and production taught in sixteen of the College’s departments and programs. Though the program is based in core courses that emphasize the aesthetic and theoretical traditions specific to film studies, the study of film by its very nature engages other domains and disciplines. History, politics, philosophy, psychology, culture, theater, literature, music, and visual art are all potentially implicated in the experience of film, and our courses invite students to explore the multiple dimensions of cinematic experience. The six courses required for the interdisciplinary minor in film studies are designed to ground students in three basic aspects of the field—film history, film theory, and film production—while at the same time providing the flexibility to allow for exploration of specific areas of interest within each of those aspects.

Anyone interested in discussing the film studies minor is encouraged to contact the coordinator.

Course requirements:

  • One core course FILM/ENGL 265. Introduction to Film Studies must be fulfilled by the end of the second year as a prerequisite for declaring the minor.
  • Four additional full course credits from the three distribution areas (national cinemas and topics in film history; film theory and topics in criticism; and film production and related arts), taking no more than two courses and no less than one course in any one area. At least two of the four courses taken in the distribution areas must be at the 300 level or above.
  • An integrating exercise consisting of a senior seminar in film studies (400-level courses designated as such will be determined each year) or a one-semester senior thesis project (FILM 497).
  • Students must earn a minimum of C- in any given course to have it count toward the minor.