Associate Professors--Amlin, Holmes, Millsapps, Veeder
Assistant Professor--Lippit
Minor in Cinema
M.A. in Cinema Studies
M.F.A. in Cinema
The goal of undergraduate instruction in the Cinema Department is to foster creative, critical, and independent endeavor as part of a liberal arts education. Students in the B.A. program complete core courses, including film history and critical studies, before continuing in advanced theory/criticism, screenwriting and production, or animation. Students are encouraged to combine courses from several areas in their major program. All areas lead to a B.A. in Cinema. A Minor in Cinemais also available.
The M.A. in Cinema Studiesis intended for individuals who wish to pursue research and writing in selected areas of film scholarship. The M.A. provides a foundation in film history, theory, and criticism, and prepares the student for further study at the Ph.D. level. A thesis project allows for focused research on a specific topic.
The M.F.A. in Cinemaemphasizes a knowledge of cinematic tradition, the development of individual creative vision and proficiency in technical crafts. The program integrates new processes, aesthetics, and technologies and encourages the development of original modes of expression. Course work emphasizes cinema production, with possible specialization in animation. Parallel course work in theory and aesthetics are included in years one and two.
The M.F.A. aims to: (1) provide students with rigorous, professional training in cinema production in conjunction with an understanding of cinema history, theory, and aesthetics; (2) inform students about current and emerging production practices and technologies to prepare them to become leaders and innovators in creating the cinema of the future; (3) prepare filmmakers who wish to teach cinema at the college or university level.
CINE 102 Introduction to Contemporary Cinema
CINE 308 Third World Cinema
CINE 325 Focus on Film Topics (topics to be specified)
CINE 342 Documentary Film
CINE 373 Film and Society
CINE 404 Gender and Film
No special application is required to declare a major in cinema; however, all declared Cinema majors must complete the core courses (CINE 101, 300 or 302, 340, and 341) with a grade of C or better in each course and a total grade point average of C+ or better (2.3) in all core courses before advancing in the Cinema program. Credit by examination is possible for certain core requirements. Students who do not meet the minimum grade criteria and are not on academic probation may request a portfolio review in lieu of additional core course work. New and prospective students should consult with the undergraduate advising office for more information. Information is also available on the Cinema Department Web site: http://www.cinema.sfsu.edu.
Change of Major Applicants.Undeclared majors and students enrolled in other disciplines at San Francisco State University who seek to change their major to Cinema must first complete prerequisite core requirements with a grade of C or better in each course and a total grade point average of C+ or better (2.3) in all core courses.
Major Requirements.All undergraduate majors are required to complete at least 45 upper division units in Cinema or approved electives in related disciplines. Lower division courses such as CINE 101 and 102 are approved for general education purposes, but do not count toward the major. Only one unit of CINE 325 will count toward the major. Students who wish to enroll in advanced courses in cinema studies or in screenwriting/production must first complete the appropriate foundation courses as listed below.
Please note that successful completion of core requirements and consultation with a major adviser are necessary for enrollment in all other cinema courses. Prerequisites listed for all courses are strictly enforced. Enrollment in certain advanced production courses is limited by available resources and requires submission of portfolio materials; students who wish to enroll in these courses should consult their major adviser or the Undergraduate Office about portfolio requirements and deadlines.
Students who wish to pursue the animation emphasis should consult with the animation coordinator about entry into animation courses; a portfolio is required.
Up to seven upper division units taken as CR/NC (credit/no credit) may count toward the Cinema major. Up to six transfer units from two-year institutions may count toward the Cinema major; these courses must be equivalent to Screenwriting I (CINE 355) or Film Production I (CINE 310). Lower division transfer courses equivalent to CINE 101 and CINE 102 will not count toward the major. Upper division transfer units in Cinema or related disciplines may be evaluated by the student's major adviser for possible credit toward the major.
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).
NOTE:CINE 101, 340, 341, and either 300 or 302, must be completed before enrolling in any other cinema courses; the second film history course should be completed the following semester.
Units
CINE 101 Introduction to Cinema 3
CINE 300 Film History I 3
CINE 302 Film History II 3
CINE 340 Critical Studies 3
CINE 341 Critical Studies Discussion Group 1
Total for core 13
Units
Core Courses (listed above) 13
CINE 372 Film Theory 3
One of the following: 3
CINE 373 Film and Society
CINE 308 Third World Cinema
CINE 342 Documentary Film
Units from approved Cinema electives selected
on advisement 26
Total for major 45
Core courses(listed above) 13
CINE 310/316 Film Production I and
Laboratory (3/1) 4
One of the following: 3
CINE 354 Short Format Writing
CINE 355 Screenwriting I
Units from approved Cinema electives selected
on advisement 25
Total for major 45
NOTE:Enrollment in animation courses requires consent of instructor. Admission to CINE 360 is limited and requires submission of portfolio materials. Contact the animation coordinator for further information.
Units
Core courses(listed above) 13
[Animation students may substitute CINE
365 for one of the required Film History
courses in the core.]
CINE 360 Animation I 3
CINE 362 Animation II 3
CINE 365 History of Animation or
CINE 465 Contemporary Animation 3
CINE 366 Animation III 3
CINE 368 Advanced Animation Workshop 3
Elective units selected on advisement 17
Total for major 45
Application for admission requires two distinct processes: (1) application to the graduate admissions office of the university as specified in this Bulletin, and (2) submission of application materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better in the last two years of undergraduate study. Applicants with degrees in areas other than film who show exceptional potential will be considered for admission to the program if they have completed at least three advanced courses in film study, including one in film theory.
The admission materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema include:
Units
CINE 700 Introduction to Graduate Study 3
CINE 721 Cinema Aesthetics and Theory I 3
CINE 722 Cinema Aesthetics and Theory II 3
CINE 740 Seminar in Film Theory 3
CINE 745 Seminar in Film History and
Criticism 3
CINE 852 Directed Experience in Film
Education 3
CINE 897 Research Projects in Cinema Studies 3
CINE 898 Master's Thesis 3
Elective units selected on advisement 6
Minimum total 30Enrollment in an upper division or graduate-level Cinema course is required in the semester of graduation. Registration may be in a regular university course, Summer Sessions, or Extended Learning's CINE 890.
In the second year, this foundation is challenged through exploration of different modes of expression, aesthetics, and technologies; each student conducts research and produces work that requires original thinking, which the student can apply to other problems, technologies, and ways of seeing.
In the third part of the program, students complete an internship and produce a creative work project that is a synthesis of previous work and a reflection of the development of the student's creative voice. M.F.A. students are also expected to gain teaching experience as teaching assistants or teaching associates in the Cinema Department.
Application for admission requires two distinct processes: (1) application to the graduate admissions office of the university as specified in this Bulletin, and (2) submission of application materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study. Applicants with degrees in areas other than film who show exceptional potiential will be considered for admission to the program.
The admission materials specifically requested by the Department of Cinema include:
Under certain circumstances up to 24 units of graduate credit from a M.A. program in film production may be applied toward the M.F.A. Before any such request is considered, all admission requirements must be met and all previous course work must be reviewed and approved by the Cinema Department graduate committee and the Dean of the Graduate Division.
Enrollment in an upper division or graduate-level Cinema course is required in the semester of graduation. Registration may be in a regular university course, Summer Session course, or Extended Learning's CINE 890.
Units
CINE 701 Creative Process I 3
CINE 710 Production Practice I 4
CINE 712 Production Practice II 4
CINE 721 Cinema Aesthetics and Theory I 3
CINE 722 Cinema Aesthetics and Theory II 3
Total 17
CINE 724 Cinema Theory I 3
CINE 726 Cinema Theory II 3
CINE 761 Cinema Laboratory I 3
CINE 762 Cinema Laboratory II 3
Total 12
CINE 765 Internship 3
CINE 770 Seminar in Film Production
Research 3
CINE 780 Graduate Film Production II 3
CINE 894 Creative Work Project 3
Total 12
Elective units chosen upon consultation with a
graduate adviser from upper division pro-
duction courses, animation courses, grad-
uate film studies seminars, and approved
courses from related disciplines. 19
Total for degree 60