Academic Program in Cinema Studies

Overview

The major in cinema studies teaches you to examine the meanings of cinema in the broadest, most interdisciplinary ways, considering movies as works of art, as cultural forms, and as industrial practices.

Non-majors and those who wish to explore cinema may enroll in a First-Year Seminar that introduces skills in reading, viewing, analysis, writing, and discussion. Majors take a series of introductory to advanced courses in the cinema studies program and in other academic departments.

Throughout the year, cinema studies offers two film series and six film events. You can also get involved in the student-run Oberlin Film Society and the Film Cooperative , which offers courses in film production and supports student filmmaking initiatives.

The cinema studies major does not offer a separate production track, however, film production courses do count toward graduation requirements.

Oberlin has a consortia arrangement with the film programs at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts  and the Prague Film School  in Prague, Czech Republic. Students interested in either program should consult with the director of the cinema studies program in the spring for the Tisch School and in the fall for the Prague Film School.