What You’ll Study in the Bachelor's Degree in Film and Media Studies
Cross the boundaries of traditional fields to discover the dynamic relationship between media and society with the film and media studies major at Reed College. Study the history, theory, and criticism of communications media, including cinema, from various historical periods and cultures, and learn from faculty with a range of disciplinary interests, from literature to Chinese. Develop an individual plan of coursework in consultation with a member of the faculty committee overseeing the program.
Roadmap to the BA in Film and Media Studies
Explore the opportunity to pursue courses in many areas, including film analysis and interpretation from various historical periods, national cinemas, directors, and genres; histories of media and mediation; the relationship between race, gender, and media; the role and power of media in shaping social values, political beliefs, identities and behaviors; and the study of computers and computing, particularly in the context of art, communication, and culture.
Year One
Discover Film and Media Studies
Take the first of Reed's three core introductory courses, Introduction to Film Studies, which introduces you to film aesthetics through analysis of form and style as it emerged technologically, historically, and generically. You will explore the specificity of the language of cinema and its development in the twentieth century, paying special attention to how the big screen responded to and represented major events and historical shifts.
Along with other first-year students, participate in Humanities 110, Reed’s distinctive yearlong course that provides all first-year students with the opportunity to study a range of topics and experience a variety of academic approaches.
Year Two
Chart Your Course
Expand your foundation with another introductory course: Intro to Film Theory focuses on the main ideas and debates of film theory and criticism, and Intro to Media Studies explores the ways in which media technologies—from the printing press and the postal service to electric lighting and Wi-Fi—support and transform our lives.
Dive deeper into courses offered across a range of disciplines, like Introduction to Hong Kong Cinema (Chinese), Introduction to Film (English), or Art and Photography (art). As your specific interests emerge, work with a member of the faculty committee to develop an individual plan of coursework.
Consider study abroad programs to develop your knowledge of global and non-Anglophone traditions and to strengthen your language skills.
Year Three
Develop Your Focus
Follow your plan, taking courses that help you gain knowledge in the areas most compelling to you. Anthropology offers Global Tibet through Film, which draws on visual and multimedia approaches in anthropology and media studies to understand the global roles of Tibet and Tibetans in specific historical and ethnographic contexts. Music offers Musical Dialogues Across Disciplines in which students generate original musical compositions and hybrid multimedia works.
Discover intertextuality between films, directors, genres, and places. Take the French department's Postwar French Cinema (1945-1975) course alongside the English department's French Connections: The Intertwined Histories of French and American Cinema.
In year three, you will undertake the junior qualifying exam, tailored to each student’s area and media of study.
Year Four
Present and Defend Your Senior Thesis
For your senior thesis, you’ll execute a genuinely interdisciplinary study of film or media of your choice. This is the culmination of your time at Reed and will allow you to showcase your intellectual curiosity and your ability to synthesize diverse disciplinary lenses. Once you’ve completed the writing process, you’ll defend your project to faculty.
Why Study Film and Media Studies at Reed College?
Cross Academic Borders
Studying film and media studies at Reed goes beyond traditional departmental boundaries. Begin your journey with an introductory film analysis and interpretation class, then explore courses from various departments: art, Chinese, English, German, literature, Russian, and Spanish. In your classes, immerse yourself in the intersections between cinema and culture, history, politics, and more.
Film and media classes include these subjects:
- Art 374 - New Media/Old Media—Experiments in Optical Media and Computation
- Chinese 346 - From Allegories to Documentaries: Screening Postsocialist China
- English 381 - The City in Film
- French 390 - Postwar French Cinema (1945–1975)
- German 349 - Cinema and Politics
- Literature 309 - Introduction to Film Theory
- Russian 362 - Red Sci-Fi: Science Fiction in Soviet Literature and Film
- Spanish 372 - Documentary Resistance in Latin America and Spain
Enhance Your Learning and Career Prospects
Gain essential skills in critical analysis and media literacy through film and media courses. Develop the ability to navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape, understanding different narratives and comprehending their societal impact.
In addition, master diverse storytelling techniques and visual communication—skills that transcend industries and allow you to engage audiences and communicate ideas effectively. Finally, find yourself exploring diverse cultures, historical events, and human emotions through films and related media. Cultivate empathy and cultural awareness—highly valued qualities in our interconnected world.
Whether you aspire to work in the film industry, marketing, education, or another field, your profound understanding of narratives and visual media is an asset that enhances your career prospects.
Watch More Movies
Just a 20-minute bike ride away from Reed’s campus is Movie Madness, a legendary resource for film lovers. This iconic Portland institution has more than 90,000 titles on hand, as well as membership options and a private screening room. Check out their free screenings and learn about Movie Madness University, their film appreciation program.
