Overview

In this program, you will critically examine communication in film, television, radio, the Internet, social media, advertising and other digital and media arts. You'll also study its effect on society, culture and people's behavior. The major includes courses in history, theory, criticism and practice of film and media arts, as well as courses in basic media production.

Careers in Film and Media Studies

• Film critic
• Television Producer
• Youth Pastor
• Print Journalist
• More

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Join Calvin Video Network; Participate in Visual Arts Guild; Work for the AV(Audio Visual) department; Intern at a local news station like Wood TV.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Film & Media Studies

(33-40 semester hours)

• CAS-145 Introduction to Film and Media
• One from:
  • CAS-141 Visual Rhetoric
  • CAS-190 Introduction to Video Production
  • CAS-248 Writing for the Media
• One from:
  • CAS-230 History of North American Media
  • CAS-281 American Film
• One from:
  • CAS-231 Global Media
  • CAS-282 World Cinema
• CAS-254 Film and Media Criticism
• CAS-284 Film and Media Theory
• CAS-352 Communication Ethics
• CAS-395 (must have taken at least two courses from the major, or permission of instructor, may be repeated twice for credit under a different topic)
• Three from the following, no more than one in media making and at least one must be a 300-level course:
  • CAS-201 New Media
  • CAS-230 History of North American Media
  • CAS-231 Global Media
  • CAS-255 Documentary Film and Television
  • CAS-281 American Film
  • CAS-282 World Cinema
  • CAS-296 Film as a Narrative Art
  • CAS-318 American Politics and Mass Media
  • CAS-305 Persuasion and Propaganda
  • CAS-346 Internship in Communication
  • CAS-352 Communication Ethics
  • FREN-375 French Cinema
  • CAS-395 Special Topics in Communication
  • CAS-399 Senior Seminar
  • One interim course (topic appropriate, with approval from advisor)
  • Media making courses:
    • CAS-141 Visual Rhetoric
    • CAS-190 Introduction to Video Production
    • CAS-248 Writing for the Media
    • CAS-249 Audio Design and Aesthetics
    • CAS-250 Multi-Camera Production
    • CAS-290 Video Production II
    • CAS-351 Advanced Media Production
    • One interim course (topic appropriate, with approval from advisor)

Film & Media Studies minor

(19-23 semester hours)

• CAS-145 Introduction to Film and Media
• One from:
  • CAS-230 History of North American Media
  • CAS-281 American Film
• One from:
  • CAS-231 Global Media
  • CAS-282 World Cinema
• One from:
  • CAS-254 Film and Media Criticism
  • CAS-284 Film and Media Theory
• CAS-395 (film and media section)
• One from:
  • CAS-296 Film as a Narrative Art
  • CAS-201 New Media
  • CAS-230 History of North American Media
  • CAS-254 Film and Media Criticism
  • CAS-255 Documentary Film and Television
  • CAS-281 American Film
  • CAS-284 Film and Media Theory
  • CAS-395 Special Topics in Communication

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

CAS Department Mentoring Scholarship

• award amount: $1,700
• first-year
• HS GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required; demonstrate leadership potential for the communication industry
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department by February 1

David J. Holquist Scholarship

• award amount: $1,800
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required; preference to those working with victims of injustice/personal tragedy
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department

Media and Christianity Scholarship

• award amount: $2,600
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required; show passion for telling creatively Christian stories thru filmmaking
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department

William and Matilda Monsma Scholarship

• award amount: $2,500
• sophomore, junior, or senior
• GPA 3.0+
• financial need required; preference to students from the South Chicago area
• apply through the Calvin Portal

Kenneth and Phyllis Timmer Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• junior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need considered; Michigan resident
• automatic consideration

Triemstra Media Scholarship

• award amount: $2,000
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required; career goal is to work in the media industry
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department

Phyllis Den Braber Van Andel CAS Scholarship

• award amount: $2,300
• junior or senior
• GPA 2.5+
• financial need required; first preference to those pursuing a theatre major; second preference to those pursuing a major in film or media studies
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department

Grace Dykstra Vellenga Scholarship

• award amount: $2,400
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required; preference to those majoring in telecommunications and are planning a career in Christian media
• apply through the communication arts and sciences department

View all scholarship opportunities

Faculty

Roy Anker Professor of English Department of English CFAC 289 anker@calvin.edu (616) 526-6530 Mark Fackler Professor Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 250E mfackler@calvin.edu (616) 526-6274 Brian Fuller Associate Professor Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 025E bdf4@calvin.edu (616) 526-8787 David Leugs Assistant Professor, director of theatre Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 250-C djl2@calvin.edu (616) 526-6441 Garth Pauley Professor Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 269 gpauley@calvin.edu (616) 526-6294

Carl Plantinga Professor Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 270B cplantin@calvin.edu (616) 526-8664 William Romanowski Professor Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 261D romw@calvin.edu (616) 526-8527 Quentin Schultze Professor Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 260M schu@calvin.edu (616) 526-6290 Chris Smit Associate Professor Department of Communication Arts & Sciences DCC 270A crs4@calvin.edu (616) 526-8892