Why Major in Cinema and Television Studies?
Every industry relies on video content, and media literacy is paramount for understanding our modern world. From the stalwarts of academia, museums, and film festivals to the burgeoning needs in major medical, fortune 500s, government and non-profit organizations, both in personal and corporate brands, everyone employs media. Learn to responsibly research, analyze, and shape content across all fields of industry by using a critical lens to create policies, develop a personal vision, and to reinvent society.
- According to the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Tennessee has risen to 5th in the nation for employment in film and video production.
- Belmont's expert faculty continue to research and publish in their fields of expertise and come from career-long industry experience.
- CTS is housed within Belmont's Film, TV, and Media Production Department (FTMP) – noted by Variety Magazine as one of North America's top film schools.
What You'll Learn?
In Belmont's cinema and television studies major, you'll focus on these vocational skills:- Development of a personal vision that will shape your approach to the field
- Critical analysis of visual narratives and their cultural impact
- In-depth knowledge of film and television history, from classic to contemporary
- Proficiency in research methodologies and analytical writing
- Understanding of film theory and its application to modern media
- Exploration of diverse cinemas and their global influence
Hone your communication skills, learn to interpret media in both historical and contemporary contexts, and perfect your writing and research abilities to become an expert participant in the world of cinema and media.
Program Details
Curriculum
The cinema and television studies major leads to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and requires a total of 128 credit hours of coursework:
BELL Core requirements: 53 hours (minimum)
Major Core: 36 hours
Electives Core: 9 hours Minor Requirements:
18 hours General Electives: 12 hours (minimum)
Courses You'll Take
MOT 1110. Film History - Lumiere to Now
The course will provide an historical survey of American and international film industries, covering such areas as film styles, genres, national cinemas, major directors and film theory from 1895 through 2015.
MOT 1115. Art of Storytelling
The course is a basic survey course in the fundamentals of effective storytelling. Although the ultimate focus is storytelling in motion pictures, the course examines the principles of storytelling through several perspectives and includes every aspect of storytelling and all elements — sound, music, lighting, editing, performance — used in film.
MOT 1150. Media, Film and Society
This course examines media's profound influence on modern society, from creating celebrities to shaping political views and personal beliefs. Students will develop critical thinking skills to discern truth from falsehood in various media forms. Topics include rhetorical analysis, evidence-based research, memes, celebrity culture, social media and environmental issues. Weekly movie screenings paired with critical readings will equip students to understand and evaluate media's intent and impact.
MOT 1500 History of Television and Digital Media
Through lecture, reading and discussion, students will learn about the evolution of visual
- Contribute to on-campus film screenings and discussions
- Intern with local film festivals or television production companies
- Participate in film criticism workshops with industry professionals
- Engage in research projects under faculty mentorship
- Study abroad programs focused on international cinema
- Collaborate on the curation of themed film series or exhibitions
Career Possibilities
- Film critic
- Film festival curator
- Museum curator (specializing in film and media)
- Media educator
- Entertainment journalist
- Content analyst for streaming platforms
- Film preservationist
- Media researcher
- Television programming analyst
- Arts administrators in film or television organizations
- Social Media Content Manager
- DEI and Accessibility Content Management
- Content Analyst for Corporate Media Departments
- Content Analyst for Streaming Platforms
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Contact Us
Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business
Natalie Peterson
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.6453
Email Natalie