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Theater, Film, and Media Studies

View Theater, Film, and Media Studies Department website

The field of theater, film, and media combines studies in history, theory, and critical analysis with practical experiences in production techniques and creativity. Its scope includes diverse representations in dynamic time and space, whether on stage or screen. Among its shared subjects are visual culture, performance studies, and techniques for directing, designing, writing, and performing for stage and screen media. Because visual culture plays an ever-increasing role in the production, distribution, and reception of knowledge, studies in theater, film, and media are integral to an undergraduate curriculum in the liberal arts.

Students may focus their studies in theater or in film and media. Both focuses are fundamentally collaborative and multidisciplinary; they thrive in a liberal arts context that promotes breadth and integration of learning. Majors will complete a core of regularly offered courses that exemplifies the diversity of subjects and cultures entailed in this field. The two focuses, theater studies and film and media studies, share some courses that are fundamental to both curricula, but each focus includes opportunities for advanced work in specialized areas of scholarship and artistry. Above all, majors will benefit from an array of course work that emphasizes the reciprocal enrichments of combining scholarship and creative activity. Visiting guests and special topics or experimental courses supplement the regular curriculum.

The curriculum in theater, film, and media studies encourages students to interrogate representations on stage and screen toward an understanding of their historical, cultural, and artistic significance. Additionally, we provide opportunities for students to produce their own works and to collaborate on projects with faculty members and other students. Majors will be prepared to undertake graduate work in related disciplines or careers in related professions.

The department offers minors in theater studies, film and media studies, and dance/movement. Students interested in fulfilling a minor in any of these areas should consult with a faculty member in TFMS. Students may combine a major in either TFMS focus area with a minor in any other TFMS minor area.

Production Opportunities

The Department of Theater, Film, and Media Studies supplies the resources for a diverse range of production work on stage and screen. Live performance opportunities include stage productions and dance concerts directed by faculty members, guest artists, and students, performed in a variety of spaces, including the Bruce Davis Theater (main stage), the dance studio, and the White Room. Performance roles, design, and technical positions are open to all students, regardless of their majors. Theater production seasons are formulated to maximize opportunities for working on or attending productions that represent the diversity of theatrical activities across cultures and history.

TFMS resources in media production provide students with access to a variety of video production and post-production technology. Production classes and St. Mary’s Projects have access to Canon GL-2 Mini-DV cameras, Smith-Victor lighting kits, and Audio-Technica microphones, along with supporting production equipment. Post-production equipment in the Montgomery Hall Pro-lab includes 10 22” Intel iMacs w/Mac OS 10.5, Adobe CS3 Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks), Maya 2008 Complete, Quicktime Pro, and Final Cut Studio (Final Cut, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack, Compressor) with dedicated JVC SR-DVM600 3-in-1 MiniDV, 40GB hard disk drive, and DVD player/recorder combo decks. The adjacent Montgomery Hall Learning Lab is equipped with 20 17” Intel iMacs w/Mac OS 10.5, Adobe CS3 Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks), ProTools LE, and several flatbed scanners. Students also have access to a smaller, two-station TFMS editing room that includes two G-5 editing stations w/Mac OS 10.5 and Final Cut Studio (Final Cut, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack, Compressor). TFMS editing lab work stations also include dedicated Mini-DV decks and NTSC output monitors. Additional training and production opportunities are also available at Media Services on the third floor of the College library.

Detailed, regularly updated information about our theater and arts seasons and about production opportunities is available on the department website.

Learning Outcomes

  • Theater Studies:
  • Generate innovative works of theater and performance
  • Develop well-supported interpretations of theater and performance from various historical periods
  • Implement at least one of the practical or scholarly skills of theater and performance to communicate with audiences
  • Design projects that clarify how theater and performance can engage with the vital concerns of communities
  • Clarify the significance of modes of theater and performance from a wide range of local and global cultures
  • Construct clear, specific and complex written arguments about theater and performance
  • Demonstrate oral presentations that are clear, organized, appropriate and engaging for a chosen audience
  • Film and Media Studies:
  • Design innovative works of film and other media
  • Develop well-supported interpretations of film and other media from various historical periods
  • Use at least one of the practical or scholarly skills of film and media to communicate with audiences
  • Construct projects that clarify how film and media engage with vital concerns of communities within and outside of the classroom
  • Clarify the significance of film and media from a wide range of local and global cultures
  • Construct clear, specific and complex written arguments about film and media
  • Demonstrate oral presentations that are clear, organized, appropriate and engaging for a chosen audience

Degree Requirements for the Major - Theater Studies Focus

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:

A minimum of 48 credit hours of course work, with a grade of C- or above.

Required Courses

  • TFMS 170: Stagecraft
  • TFMS 171: Elements of Design
  • TFMS 200: Theater in History
  • TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies or TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
  • TFMS 230: Acting I
  • TFMS 250: Movement I
  • TFMS 300: Modern Theater
  • TFMS 371: Production Lab (one credit hour): Majors must complete a minimum of four credit-hours

One course chosen from:

  • TFMS 251: Introduction to Traditional African Dance
  • TFMS 255: Modern Dance I
  • TFMS 260: Topics in Dance/Movement
  • TFMS 350: Movement II
  • TFMS 355: Modern Dance II
  • TFMS 460: Advanced Topics in Dance/Movement

One course chosen from:

  • TFMS 315: Japanese Film
  • TFMS 325: Documentary Practices
  • TFMS 326: World Cinema
  • TFMS 420: Mediated Bodies: Gender, Race, and Class on Stage and Screen
  • Any topics or experimental course numbered 300 or higher and cross-listed in TFMS

One course chosen from:

  • TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
  • TFMS 374: Lighting Design
  • TFMS 375: Costume Design for Stage and Screen
  • TFMS 376: Scenic Design for Stage and Screen

Senior Experience

This requirement may be satisfied by selecting one of the following two options.

Please note: TFMS 480 may be completed in your junior or senior year. Senior standing is required to complete TFMS 493/494.

  • TFMS 480: Advanced Topics in Production (4AS)
  • TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (8E)

Satisfactory Work Theater Productions

Satisfactory work on at least three major theater productions in a position of responsibility including participation on at least one run crew. Theater studies majors must enroll in TFMS 370: Studio (zero credit) at least three times in order to satisfy this requirement.

Degree Requirements for the Major - Film and Media Studies Focus

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:

A minimum of 48 credit hours of course work, with a grade of C- or above.

Required Courses

  • TFMS 130: Idea into Performance
  • TFMS 200: Theater in History or TFMS 300: Modern Theater
  • TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
  • TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
  • TFMS 228: Media Production I
  • TFMS 320: Film History

Two courses chosen from:

  • ASIA 305: Chinese Cinema
  • ILAS 350: Latin American Cinema
  • POSC 373: Politics and Film in the Third World
  • TFMS 315: Japanese Film
  • TFMS 326: World Cinema
  • TFMS 420: Mediated Bodies: Gender, Race, and Class on Stage and Screen
  • Any topics or experimental course numbered 300 or higher and cross-listed in TFMS

Two courses chosen from:

  • ART 212: Introduction to Photography
  • ART 214: Introduction to Digital Media Art
  • TFMS 328: Media Production II
  • TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
  • TFMS 346: Screenwriting
  • TFMS 374: Lighting Design

One course chosen from:

  • ARTH 316: Modern Art, 1850-1970
  • ARTH 317: Contemporary Art, 1970 to Present
  • TFMS 325: Documentary Practices
  • TFMS 422: Horror Film: Of Monsters and Monstrosities
  • TFMS 425: Advanced Topics in Film and Media

Senior Experience

This requirement may be satisfied in one of three ways:

Please note: TFMS422 and TFMS 480 may be completed in your junior or senior year. Senior standing is required to complete TFMS 493/494.

  • TFMS422: Horror Film: Of Monsters and Monstrosities
  • TFMS 480: Advanced Topics in Production (4AS)
  • TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (8E)

Satisfactory Work Theater Productions

Satisfactory work on at least one major theater production in a position of responsibility. Film and media studies majors must complete TFMS 370: Studio (zero credit) at least once in order to satisfy this requirement.

Degree Requirements for the Minor in Dance/Movement

Students choosing to minor in dance/movement are responsible for designing a cohesive area of study in consultation with a member of the department faculty. The minor in dance/movement is 20 credit hours. Each course is four credit-hours, unless otherwise indicated. Students must fulfill the following requirements:

Two courses chosen from the following:

  • TFMS 250: Movement I
  • TFMS 255: Modern Dance I
  • TFMS 258: Dance in History

Additional 12 Credit Hours

An additional 12 credit hours chosen from the following course offerings in dance/movement. Four credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students may include a maximum of four credit hours of TFMS 290/490: Practicum.

  • TFMS 250: Movement I
  • TFMS 251: Introduction to Traditional African Dance
  • TFMS 255: Modern Dance I
  • TFMS 258: Dance in History
  • TFMS 260: Topics in Dance/Movement
  • TFMS 290: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
  • TFMS 350: Movement II
  • TFMS 355: Modern Dance II
  • TFMS 360: Dance Improvisation and Composition
  • TFMS 460: Advanced Topics in Dance/Movement
  • TFMS 490: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
  • TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (a dance/movement-related project)

Degree Requirements for the Minor in Film and Media Studies

Students choosing to minor in film and media studies are responsible for designing a cohesive area of study in consultation with a member of the department faculty. The minor in film and media studies is 20 credit hours. Each course is four credit hours, unless otherwise indicated. Students must fulfill the following requirements:

Required Courses:

  • TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies or TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
  • TFMS 320: Film History or TFMS 326: World Cinema

Additional 12 Credit Hours

An additional 12 credit hours chosen from the following course offerings in the film and media studies focus area. Four credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students may include a maximum of four credit hours of TFMS 290/490: Practicum.

  • TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
  • TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
  • TFMS 228: Media Production I
  • TFMS 290: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
  • TFMS 315: Japanese Film
  • TFMS 320: Film History
  • TFMS 325: Documentary Practices
  • TFMS 326: World Cinema
  • TFMS 328: Media Production II
  • TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
  • TFMS 346: Screenwriting
  • TFMS 374: Lighting Design
  • TFMS 420: Mediated Bodies: Gender, Race, and Class on Stage and Screen
  • TFMS 422: Horror Film: Of Monsters and Monstrosities
  • TFMS 425: Advanced Topics in Film and Media
  • TFMS 490: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
  • TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (a filmmaking- or film studies-related project)
  • ART 212: Introduction to Photography
  • ART 214: Introduction to Digital Media Art
  • ARTH 316: Modern Art, 1850-1970
  • ARTH 317: Contemporary Art, 1970 to Present
  • ASIA 305: Chinese Cinema
  • ILAS 350: Latin American Cinema
  • POSC 373: Politics and Film in the Third World

Degree Requirements for the Minor in Theater Studies

Students choosing to minor in theater studies are responsible for designing a cohesive area of study in consultation with a member of the department faculty. The minor in theater studies is 20 credit hours. Each course is four credit hours, unless otherwise indicated.

Required Courses:

  • TFMS 130: Idea into Performance
  • TFMS 200: Theater in History or TFMS 300: Modern Theater

Additional 12 Credit Hours

An additional 12 credit hours chosen from the following course offerings in the theater studies focus area. Four credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students may include a maximum of four credit hours of TFMS 290/490: Practicum.

  • TFMS 170: Stagecraft
  • TFMS 171: Elements of Design
  • TFMS 200: Theater in History
  • TFMS 230: Acting I
  • TFMS 250: Movement I
  • TFMS 290: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
  • TFMS 300: Modern Theater
  • TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
  • TFMS 350: Movement II
  • TFMS 374: Lighting Design
  • TFMS 375: Costume Design for Stage and Screen
  • TFMS 376: Scenic Design for Stage and Screen
  • TFMS 490: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
  • TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (a theater studies- or production-related project)

Faculty

David Ellsworth (department chair), Leah Mazur, Mark A. Rhoda, David M. Smith, Amy Steiger; Sherry Ocker