{"id":307,"date":"2026-06-18T15:14:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T19:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/?page_id=307"},"modified":"2026-07-31T13:16:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T17:16:05","slug":"curriculum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-screen-studies-b-a\">Screen Studies, B.A.<\/h1>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><nav class=\"is-responsive wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Menu 4\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"menu-title\">Menu<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\" id=\"modal-1\" data-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\" data-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\" id=\"modal-1-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Overview<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/curriculum\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Curriculum<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/experiential-learning\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Experiential learning<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/capstone\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Capstone<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/production-and-facilities\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Facilities<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/careers\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Careers<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-curriculum\">Curriculum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:45rem\">\n<p>The screen studies major requires 13 courses, combining a core of gateway courses with film history, advanced research topics, production work, and a capstone. For a course to count toward the major, a grade of C or higher is required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In your first two years, you&#8217;ll complete the gateway courses, explore the production and screening facilities, connect with faculty around shared interests, and begin building the critical vocabulary of the field. We encourage screen studies students to consider study abroad early \u2014 the program is well designed for a junior-year semester away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In your junior and senior years, you move into advanced research topics and production courses, strengthen your networks \u2014 your classmates are your future colleagues \u2014 and prepare your capstone. You&#8217;ll also be building toward professional life: internship applications, festival submissions, graduate program research, and the portfolio materials that represent your work to the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gateway-courses-nbsp\">Gateway Courses&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>F<em>ive required courses<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every Screen studies major begins with the same foundation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Foundations of Screen Studies (Screen Studies 101)<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 the intellectual entry point to the major; required before declaring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Introduction to Digital Filmmaking (Screen Studies 107)<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 hands-on production from the start<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Introduction to Screenwriting (Screen Studies 108)<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 beats, arcs, structure, and the writing of an original screenplay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Film Theory (Screen Studies 231)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 the major frameworks and structural principles that define cinema as a media form<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-screen-history\">Screen history<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>T<em>wo courses \u2014 one in U.S. history, one in international history<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students choose one course in U.S. screen history \u2014 either History of U.S. Film Until 1960 or History of U.S. Film Since 1960 \u2014 and one in international cinema. This requirement ensures that every screen studies graduate has a grounded understanding of the field across national traditions and time periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-research-topics-nbsp\">Research topics&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"h-research-topics-f-our-courses-at-least-two-at-the-200-level\">F<em>our courses, at least two at the 200 level<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upper-level research courses go deep on specific aspects of screen media: genre, authorship, documentary, film noir, television, gender, South Asian cinema, and more. At least two must be 200-level screen studies courses. The range here reflects the genuine breadth of the faculty&#8217;s expertise and the program&#8217;s commitment to taking all forms of screen media seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-advanced-production-nbsp\">Advanced Production&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>O<em>ne course<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every major completes at least one advanced production course \u2014 narrative fiction, documentary, genre, experimental, or advanced topics \u2014 developing the craft and collaborative practice that distinguish screen studies at Clark from programs that treat production as an afterthought.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/catalog.clarku.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=35&amp;poid=7150&amp;returnto=2879&amp;_gl=1*zpbcyv*_gcl_au*MTYxNTIxODY4OC4xNzc3OTE5OTgy\">Screen studies courses<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 double-bottom-margin\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/curriculum-and-careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/67\/Screen-Studies-Major-Map.pdf\">Major map<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-lighter-teal-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-video-essays\">Video essays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many screen studies courses offer the option of submitting video essays \u2014 a form that lets students bring their production skills to bear on critical and analytical work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second-year courses teach the specific skills needed to work in this form, and it becomes an increasingly important part of the curriculum in upper-level courses.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-267\" alt=\"Students in a screen studies class\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/134\/Screen-Studies-10.jpg\" style=\"object-position:57% 45%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"57% 45%\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:45rem\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-minor-in-screen-studies\">Minor in screen studies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The screen studies minor offers students whose primary major lies elsewhere a rigorous grounding in the history, theory, and practice of moving-image media. Six courses are required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll begin with two core courses \u2014 Foundations of Screen Studies and Introduction to Digital Filmmaking \u2014 which together establish the critical vocabulary and hands-on production skills that anchor the program. Two screen history courses follow, one in United States film history and one in international cinema, with at least one of the two covering the period before 1960. This pairing ensures that minor students develop genuine historical range across national traditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The minor is completed with two 200-level courses chosen from advanced production, critical theory, or specialized topics \u2014 options that include documentary production, experimental film, critical perspectives on television, and gender and film, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"arrow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.clarku.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=35&amp;poid=7151&amp;returnto=2879&amp;_gl=1*11m3y1c*_gcl_au*MTYxNTIxODY4OC4xNzc3OTE5OTgy#minorrequirements\">Full course listings and requirements<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Curriculum The screen studies major requires 13 courses, combining a core of gateway courses with film history, advanced research topics, production work, and a capstone. For a course to count toward the major, a grade of C or higher is required. In your first two years, you&#8217;ll complete the gateway courses, explore the production and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":197,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-307","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.1 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Curriculum | Department of Visual and Performing Arts | Clark University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/screen-studies-ba\/curriculum\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Curriculum\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Curriculum The screen studies major requires 13 courses, combining a core of gateway courses with film history, advanced research topics, production work, and a capstone. For a course to count toward the major, a grade of C or higher is required. 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