Cinema Studies Major

The major consists of a minimum of 9 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.

View the catalog page for the Cinema Studies department.

Students in production courses are required to purchase their own external hard drives and A/V supplies, including memory cards, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Production courses require a lab fee. In addition, students must sign and abide by a Facilities Use Contract to gain access to Cinema Studies production facilities.

All graduating Cinema Studies seniors may submit senior projects in production or critical studies to be considered for award recognition at the end of their senior year.

Summary of Requirements

CINE 290 - Introduction to the Advanced Study of Cinema
Minimum of Three Full Courses in Critical Studies (at least two must be taken at the 300-level or above)
Minimum of Two Full Courses of 300-Level Electives
Additional Three Full Courses of Cinema Study Electives

Fall Semester at Prague Film School, Prague, Czech Republic

The Cinema Studies Program has a consortial arrangement with the Prague Film School. Students interested in the fall semester at PFS should consult with the Director of Cinema Studies, or his or her designate. Both CINE 290 and CINE 298 should be taken before studying abroad. All film courses offered at PFS, including those in film production, may count toward the Cinema Studies major. Students may earn up to 16 credits during a semester at PFS, which will count as electives towards the Cinema Studies major. In addition, students may substitute these credits for one 300-level production course for the major.

Spring Semester at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts

The Cinema Studies Program has a consortial arrangement with the Film Program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Students interested in the spring semester at Tisch should consult with the Director of Cinema Studies, or his or her designate. Both CINE 290 and CINE 298 should be taken before studying away. All film courses offered at Tisch, including those in film production, may count toward the Cinema Studies major. Students may earn up to 16 credits during a semester at Tisch, which will count as electives towards the Cinema Studies major. In addition, students may substitute these credits for one 300-level production course for the major.

Transfer of Credit

No more than four full courses or the equivalent of transfer credit may be applied to the Oberlin Cinema Studies major. No more than one 300-level course may be transferred for credit. For approval of transfer credit toward the major and/or toward meeting prerequisites for upper-level courses, students should consult with the Director of Cinema Studies (or his or her designate), preferably with syllabi in hand.