Film Studies | The George Washington University

Housed in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, film studies covers classical film aesthetics, surveys the history of world cinema, and takes an in-depth look at films from the United States, China, France, Germany, Japan, the Middle East, Russia, and the Spanish-speaking world.

Visit the Film Studies program website for additional information.

Minor

Minor in film studies

Committee on Film Studies: E. Anker (Director), Y. Captain, H. Feigenbaum, K. Harvey, A. Hiltebeitel, P. Rollberg, N. Seavey

Explanation of Course Numbers

Courses in the 1000s are primarily introductory undergraduate courses
Those in the 2000s to 4000s are upper-level undergraduate courses that also may be taken for graduate credit with permission and additional work assigned
Those in the 6000s and 8000s are for master’s, doctoral, and professional-level students
The 6000s are open to advanced undergraduate students with approval of the instructor and the dean or advising office

FILM 1099. Variable Topics. 1-36 Credits.

FILM 2151. Film Theory. 3 Credits.

A reading-intensive immersion in classical film aesthetics and a survey of the theoretical and critical canon of cinema literature. Laboratory fee.

FILM 2152. Genres of Film. 3 Credits.

An exploration of the relationship between cinematic structure and narrative content in various types of film. Laboratory fee.

FILM 2153. History of World Cinema I. 3 Credits.

A two-semester sequence covering 100 years of international cinematic history from an aesthetic and political point of view. Laboratory fee.

FILM 2154. History of World Cinema II. 3 Credits.

Continuation of FILM 2153. A two-semester sequence covering 100 years of international cinematic history from an aesthetic and political point of view. Laboratory fee.

FILM 2155. Screenwriting. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the art and craft of screenwriting—concept, genre, character, structure, dialogue, scene/sequence construction, and, ultimately, the preparation of scripts and treatments for a variety of screen formats.

FILM 2156. Advanced Screenwriting. 3 Credits.

Advanced phases of screenwriting culminating in the preparation of a full-length screenplay, with contextual study of contemporary, international, and classical films toward a fuller appreciation of movies as a cultural whole.

FILM 3099. Variable Topics. 1-12 Credits.

FILM 3200. Special Topics in Film Studies. 3 Credits.

Examination of different ideas, genres, histories, and cinematic modes of expression in film studies. Topic vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details.

FILM 3390. Screenwriting. 3 Credits.

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FILM 5099. Variable Topics. 1-99 Credits.