Film Studies
Rationale for the Program
In 2005-06 Georgia Southern launched a long-awaited interdisciplinary Minor in Film Studies. This program meets the obvious needs and interests of today’s visually-oriented students while reflecting the school’s continuous growth and status as a doctoral research university. The resources, both intellectual and material, for such a program have been in place for many years. Georgia Southern has had a number of faculty with degrees and scholarship in media studies and considerable experience in teaching film. The University’s Cinema Arts Program has been bringing the very best foreign, independent, and arthouse films to campus for over 25 years. Operated out of the Department of Literature and Philosophy, it is Georgia Southern’s longest running cultural program. Film is both a serious and popular art. Present generations are born into and raised by visual culture. American students have already watched more movies than they have read books. And they will continue to watch even more after they graduate. The overriding goal of the Film Studies Minor, therefore, is to provide our students with ways of increasing their understanding of the medium and enhancing and refining their tastes and appreciation of films. Through exposure to important and original cinema of diverse kind, students in the program will become more informed, articulate, and sensitive film viewers and consumers.Advantages of a Minor in Film Studies Program
Film Studies is one of the fastest growing liberal arts programs at American colleges and universities. Unlike filmmaking, which teaches technical knowledge and practical production skills, Film Studies invites students to look at films aesthetically, historically, and culturally. Because of its unique interdisciplinary nature, a Minor in Film Studies allows students an exceptionally broad understanding of contemporary culture and its international dimensions while developing strong critical skills needed to articulate that understanding. Graduates with a Minor in Film Studies will clearly expand their career options and enhance their marketability. They can find jobs with film companies, film archives, and festivals. They can work in public relations or commercial advertising, for government agencies and non-profit organizations. They can be technical writers, critics, journalists, art managers, or teachers. The possibilities are almost unlimited.Film Studies Minor Requirements
Film Studies Faculty
Film Studies Director:Joanna Bastarache, MFA
Program Director, Film Studies Minor
Assistant Professor
Multimedia Communication - Film
Communication Arts Dept.
Georgia Southern University
p. 912-478-5777
f. 912-478-0822
e. jbastarache@georgiasouthern.edu
Other Core Faculty:
Dr. Tomasz Warchol, Literature and Philosophy
twarchol@georgiasouthern.edu
Dr. Reed Smith, Communication Arts
rsmith@georgiasouthern.edu
