FILM-BA - Film & Media Arts

Program Website

The B.A. in film and media arts requires 33 credit hours; it gives students a broad foundation in all areas of film and media, preparing them for a variety of careers in the media industries, or for postgraduate work in film and media studies and related fields. The B.A. is also designed to allow time for significant study in other disciplines, making room for additional majors and minors in other fields. Courses in film and media history, theory, and criticism provide extensive insight into these media as art forms and as important social and cultural institutions. Courses in production and screenwriting build experience and creative skills in writing, shooting, directing, and editing film and other media. Courses that focus on the business of media train students in the industrial aspects and logics of these industries. Finally, a capstone sequence provides final preparation for entrance into a career in the media industries.

Internships

Upon attaining junior-level status (60 credit hours), qualified students are encouraged to pursue internships that enable them to work under the guidance of professionals in the media industries. Non-classroom internship credit is limited to three credit hours taken as an elective on a pass/fail basis. Students must be a declared film and media arts major (B.A. or B.F.A.), must have passed FILM 1304, and must obtain permission from the division’s Internship Coordinator before enrolling in an internship course (FILM 4125, FILM 4225, or FILM 4325).

B.A. Research Thesis

B.A. students wishing to pursue a senior thesis project (FILM 5214 - Research Thesis) must have at least a 3.500 departmental GPA, 3.300 SMU GPA, and 18 credits of Film and Media Arts courses completed by the end of the fall of their junior year. In consultation with a full-time Film and Media Arts faculty member, they would then propose a research project that they would research and write the following academic year, under the supervision of a committee of three SMU faculty (including at least two from Film and Media Arts). This proposal is due the Friday after spring break of junior year. If this proposal is approved by a faculty committee, the student would plan to enroll in FILM 5214 the spring term of their senior year. The thesis will be presented to the committee for final approval in mid-April of that term.

Applications for the B.A. Research Thesis are competitive and only a small number of proposals will be accepted each year.

Departmental Distinction

Departmental Distinction, or "Honors in Film & Media Arts," is an official designation that shows up in the Commencement Ceremony program and diploma. To earn this distinction in the Film & Media Arts B.A., a student must earn a minimum GPA in Film & Media Arts courses of 3.500, AND complete a Research Thesis (FILM 5214) with a grade of B+ or higher.

Grade Requirements

Except as noted in the program descriptions, the minimum passing grade for courses to meet major requirements is D-. Film majors must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.000 among all courses taken toward the major to graduate.