About this Program
UMD’s Film Studies minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to film, exploring the medium through practical, historical and social contexts. Required courses in the minor give students an understanding of the art of filmmaking, a history of film, and how film connects to society.
Electives in the minor offer students the opportunity to focus on more specific aspects of film, ranging from film genres to photography to screenwriting. This minor is offered through the Department of Theatre.
Acquired Skills
Through training in Theatre and/or Film, students develop a vast variety of skills including:
- Cultural awareness
- Creativity
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Project management
- Marketing
- Business/Entrepreneurism
- Research
- Teaching
- Technology
- Writing
Career Possibilities
A minor shows potential employers that you put in extra effort and have a range of strong interest areas. Furthermore, a minor can cultivate new skills and encourage you to think in ways that may seem unconventional in your major field. Unconventional thinking can lead to creative problem solving.
Film Studies students benefit from a diverse array of career opportunities. These range from those that specifically relate to film – whether in academia, creative industries, film festival/cinema programming or arts administration – to other spheres, such as publishing, journalism, public relations and education.
Admissions and Scholarships
Department scholarships are available to Theatre majors only.
Student Clubs
As a subsidiary of UMD’s Department of Theatre, Stage 2 Theatre Company works exclusively with UMD faculty, staff, and students to produce its own student-run theatrical season every academic year. Students comprise the Stage 2 Board of Directors and manage every aspect of production. Stage 2 is an excellent supplemental source of involvement particularly for non-Theatre majors and Theatre B.A. students.
USITT United States Institute for Theatre Technology student chapter works to promote learning among peers and to support theatre design and technology on campus. USITT at UMD frequently supports students’ attendance to the USITT national conference, where students are exposed to new design elements, technologies and theories.
Attitudes Dance Association is currently one of the biggest student organizations on campus, with more than 100 members. It is a student-run group that welcomes anyone who is a student at UMD, College of St. Scholastica, or Lake Superior College; anyone who wants to dance! ADA gives dancers the opportunity to both perform and choreograph in an annual spring performance.
Requirements
A Film Studies minor can be paired with any major. The Film Studies minor is 18 credits and can be started in any semester.
All UMD Theatre students are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop as specified under Technology Requirements.