Film, Television, and Media (Major)
Effective Fall 2024Advising
Students who may be interested in a major in Film, Television, and Media are encouraged to consult with a department advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at: https://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/AdvAppts/AA_StuSelfSvc1.aspx?ctgy=SAC
Grade Policies
The prerequisite for the FTVM major may be taken for a grade or may be taken P/F.
A minimum grade of C– or better must be achieved in any course taken to satisfy the FTVM Major requirements.
Prerequisites
FTVM / RCHUMS 150 (FTVM / RCHUMS 236) - Introduction to Film, Television, and Media completed with a minimum grade of C-.
Students will apply for entry to the major after having completed the prerequisite. In accord with LSA policies, students who do not meet the minimum grade requirement but still hope to declare the Film, Television, and Media major may retake the prerequisite course. If they meet the criteria above with the new grade they earn in the re-taken course, they may declare Film, Television, and Media as their major.
Requirements
1. Core Required Courses (25 credits).
A. Two history courses:
FTVM 352 - Film History: Origins to the French New Wave, and one additional history course selected from among the following:
- FTVM 353 - Film History: Post New Wave
- FTVM 354 - New Media History
- FTVM 355 - Television History
- FTVM 356 - History of Documentary
B. Two theory courses:
FTVM 272-Classical Film Theory, and one additional history course selected from among the following:
- FTVM 372 - Contemporary Film Theory
- FTVM 375 - Television Theory and Criticism
- FTVM 376 - New Media Theory
- FTVM 461 - Explorations in Feminist Film Theory
C. Introduction to production course: FTVM 290- Introduction to Media Production.
D. Two production or writing courses selected from the following:
- FTVM 300 - Movie/Serial Television Production I
- FTVM 301 - Documentary I
- FTVM 302 - Multi-Camera Television Production
- FTVM 304 - Topics in Media Production I
- FTVM 305 - The Experimental Screen
- FTVM 306 - Animation and Digital Media Practices I
- FTVM 309 - Shorts from Short Stories
- FTVM 310 - Screenwriting I: The Feature Script
- FTVM 311 - Writing for Television I: The Spec Script
- FTVM 317 - WOLV TV
- FTVM 391 - Editing Theory & Practice
- FTVM 392 - Cinematography
- FTVM 393 - Screendance (only if elected FA 20 or later)
- FTVM 394 - Topics in Digital Media Production (only if elected WN21 or later)
E. One studies course selected from among the following in National, Regional, or Transnational Cinema, or in a 300 or 400-level Television or Digital Media course:
- FTVM 250 / JUDAIC 250 / MIDEAST 280 - Jewish Film: Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality
- FTVM / SLAVIC / RCHUMS 313 - Russian and Ukrainian Cinema
- FTVM / POLISH 314 - Polish Cinema
- FTVM / ITALIAN 316 - Screening Italian-Americans
- FTVM 321 / MIDEAST 331 - Iranian Cinema: Re/Presenting a Nation (only if elected FA21 or later)
- FTVM 332 / GERMAN 330 - German Cinema
- FTVM / GERMAN 333 - Fascist Cinema
- FTVM / AMCULT / COMM 334 - Race, Gender, Sexuality and U.S. Culture in Video Games
- FTVM / ASIAN 341 - Bollywood and Beyond: An Introduction to Popular Indian Cinema
- FTVM / GERMAN / AMCULT 346 - Media Matter: From Print to Screen Culture
- FTVM 358 - Italian Film: History, Art, Entertainment
- FTVM 365 - Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary American Television
- FTVM 368 - Topics in Digital Media Studies
- FTVM / HISTART / HISTORY / JUDAIC 379 - Jewish Photographers Picture the Modern World (only if elected WN20 or later)
- FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 380 - Studies in Transnational Media
- FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 381 - Latinas/Latinos and the Media
- FTVM / AAS 440 - African Cinema
- FTVM 441 - National Screens
- FTVM / AAS 442 - Third World Cinema
- FTVM / ASIAN 458 - Film Culture in Korea
- FTVM / AAS 470 - Cultural Cinema
- FTVM 485 - The Global Screen
- ITALIAN 358 - Italian Cinema
- or a similar course pre-approved by the advisor.
2. Required Electives: 7 credits of FTVM coursework at the 300 or 400 level. One of these courses must be a 3-credit studies course (see lists below).
Production Courses
- FTVM 300 - Movie/Serial Television Production I
- FTVM 301 - Documentary I
- FTVM 302 - Multi-Camera Television Production
- FTVM 303 - Mini Course in Media Production II
- FTVM 304 - Topics in Media Production I
- FTVM 305 - The Experimental Screen
- FTVM 306 - Animation and Digital Media Practices I
- FTVM 309 - Shorts from Short Stories
- FTVM 310 - Screenwriting I: The Feature Script
- FTVM 311 - Writing for Television I: The Spec Script
- FTVM 317 - WOLV TV
- FTVM 391 - Editing Theory & Practice
- FTVM 392 - Cinematography
- FTVM 394 - Topics in Digital Media Production (only if elected WN21 or later)
- FTVM 400 - Movie/Serial Television Production II
- FTVM 401 - Documentary II
- FTVM 402 - Topics in Television Production
- FTVM 403 - Television Sketch Comedy
- FTVM 404 - Topics in Media Production II
- FTVM 405 - Screendance
- FTVM 406 - Animation and Digital Media Practices II
- FTVM 410 - Screenwriting II: The Rewrite
- FTVM 411 - Writing for Television II: Pilots
- FTVM 421 - TV Pilots
- FTVM 423 - Practicum for the Screenwriter
- FTVM 427 - Screenwriting III
Studies Courses
o FTVM / SLAVIC 313 - Russian and Ukranian Cinema
o FTVM / POLISH 314 - Polish Cinema
o FTVM / CZECH 315 - Czech Cinema
o FTVM / ITALIAN 316 - Screening Italian-Americans
o FTVM 320 - Documentary Film
o FTVM 325 - New Line and New Hollywood Cinema
o FTVM / ENGLISH 330 - Major Director (rotating topics)
o FTVM / ENGLISH 331 - Film Genres and Types (rotating topics)
o FTVM 332 / GERMAN 330 - German Cinema
o FTVM 333 - Fascist Cinema
o FTVM / AMCULT 334 - Race, Gender, Sexuality, and U.S. Culture in Video Games
o FTVM 340 - Writing Film Criticism
o FTVM / ASIAN 341 - Intro to India Cinema
o FTVM / AMCULT / GERMAN 346 - Media Matter: From Print to Screen Culture
o FTVM 350 - The Silent Screen: Arts and Cultures
o FTVM 353 - Film History: Post New Wave
o FTVM 354 - New Media History
o FTVM 355 - Television History
o FTVM 356 - History of Documentary
o FTVM 358 - Italian Film: History, Art, Entertainment
o FTVM / WGS 361 (WOMENSTD 361) - Women in Film
o FTVM 365 - Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary American Television
o FTVM 366 - Film, Television, and Popular Culture (rotating topics)
o FTVM 367 - Introduction to Digital Media Studies
o FTVM 368 - Topics in Digital Media Studies (rotating topics)
o FTVM 372 - Contemporary Film Theory
o FTVM 375 - Television Theory
o FTVM 376 - Digital Media Theory
o FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 380 - Studies in Transnational Media
o FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 381 - Latinas(os) and the Media
o FTVM 422 - Topics in Avant-Garde Film
o FTVM 435 (335) – Authorship & the Archive: Exploring the Film, Theater, & TV Collections of the U of M Special Collections Library
o FTVM 440 / AAS 440 - African Cinema
o FTVM 441 - National Screens (rotating topics)
o FTVM 442 / AAS 442 - Third World Cinema
o FTVM 451 / AMCULT 490 - American Film Genres
o FTVM 455 - Topics in Film (rotating topics)
o FTVM / ASIAN 458 - Korean Film Culture
o FTVM 460 - Technology and the Moving Image
o FTVM / WGS 461 (WOMENSTD 461) - Explorations in Feminist Film Theory
o FTVM 475 – Popular Film and TV Culture
o FTVM 485 - The Global Screen
o COMM 251 - Understanding Media Industries
Optional Submajor: Screenwriting
Other Department Policies
Screenwriting Submajor of Film, Television, and Media Major
The department offers a sub-major in Screenwriting to undergraduate students in the Film, Television, and Media major who demonstrate a special talent for writing for the screen.
Honors
The Honors plan in the Department of Film, Television, and Media offers qualified Film, Television, and Media majors a special opportunity. Upper-level students with strong academic records and a demonstrated ability to carry out the independent work required to complete an Honors thesis, screenplay, film, video or digital production are encouraged to apply. The Film, Television, and Media Honors major is not restricted to students who have been in the College Honors Program in their freshman and sophomore years.
Upon successful completion of the Honors plan, students may graduate with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors in Film, Television, and Media, depending on the evaluation of their thesis, screenplay, or project. These Honors designations appear on their diploma along with any College Honors designations they earn from their overall grade point.
Students accepted into the Honors plan also become members of the Honors Program of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. As members of the LSA Honors Program, they gain access to a variety of special services such as possible financial support for their Honors work. In addition, students may also apply for competitive scholarships administered by the Department of Film, Television, and Media to help with costs associated with Honors projects.
Admission. To be considered for the Honors major, students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the Film, Television, and Media major. Students must also identify a Film, Television, and Media faculty sponsor and file an application for admission to the Honors plan no later than three terms prior to the intended graduation date. For further information, contact the Film, Television, and Media Department at (734) 764-0147.
Screenwriting (Sub-Major)
Effective Fall 2019
Advising
Students who may be interested in a major in Film, Television, and Media are encouraged to consult with a department advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at: https://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/AdvAppts/AA_StuSelfSvc1.aspx?ctgy=SAC
Prerequisites
Additional Pre-requisites and/or requirements are listed on the Film, Television, and Media Major page.
FTVM 236 completed with a minimum grade of C-. The prerequisite for the Film, Television, and Media major may be taken for a grade or may be taken P/F.
Students interested in the submajor must take the same prerequisite course required of students wishing to declare the Film, Television, and Media major. Students with grade lower than C- in this course should meet with an advisor to declare his/her major in Film, Television, and Media.
Students must then take FTVM 290 and 210, followed by FTVM 310. After successful completion of FTVM 310, and acceptance and successful completion, B- or better, in FTVM 410, the student may apply for the Screenwriting submajor. The student should contact the Coordinator of Screenwriting to state their interest in applying to the submajor.
Requirements
Final approval for the Screenwriting submajor is based on the student's acceptance and successful completion, B or better, of one of the following:
- FTVM 427, Screenwriting III
OR
FTVM 423, Practicum for the Screenwriter (only if the student is selected as one of the two screenwriters for the course) - FTVM 311, Screenwriting for Television
Note: If a student is not accepted into the Screenwriting submajor, he or she may continue with the Film, Television, and Media major. The courses required of the student to apply for the submajor will all satisfy requirements in the general Film, Television, and Media major, whether or not the student is successful in his/her application to the Screenwriting submajor. Students who receive notice of their acceptance into the Screenwriting submajor from the Screenwriting Coordinator should see the Associate Chair of Film, Television, and Media to complete a revised major declaration form to notify the college of their admission into the Screenwriting submajor.
Submajors are expected to complete all normal Film, Television, and Media requirements for the major in the studies-based part of the curriculum.
Distribution Policy
No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the FTVM and SAC subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.Honors
After successful completion of FTVM 410, students with a GPA of 3.5 or above in the Film, Television, and Media major and 3.4 GPA overall may wish to declare Honors in Screenwriting. Interested students should consult the Coordinator of Screenwriting.
Screenwriting (Sub-Major) (Winter 2014 - Summer 2019)
Film, Television, and Media (Major)
Effective Fall 2024Advising
Students who may be interested in a major in Film, Television, and Media are encouraged to consult with a department advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at: https://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/AdvAppts/AA_StuSelfSvc1.aspx?ctgy=SAC
Grade Policies
The prerequisite for the FTVM major may be taken for a grade or may be taken P/F.
A minimum grade of C– or better must be achieved in any course taken to satisfy the FTVM Major requirements.
Prerequisites
FTVM / RCHUMS 150 (FTVM / RCHUMS 236) - Introduction to Film, Television, and Media completed with a minimum grade of C-.
Students will apply for entry to the major after having completed the prerequisite. In accord with LSA policies, students who do not meet the minimum grade requirement but still hope to declare the Film, Television, and Media major may retake the prerequisite course. If they meet the criteria above with the new grade they earn in the re-taken course, they may declare Film, Television, and Media as their major.
Requirements
1. Core Required Courses (25 credits).
A. Two history courses:
FTVM 352 - Film History: Origins to the French New Wave, and one additional history course selected from among the following:
- FTVM 353 - Film History: Post New Wave
- FTVM 354 - New Media History
- FTVM 355 - Television History
- FTVM 356 - History of Documentary
B. Two theory courses:
FTVM 272-Classical Film Theory, and one additional history course selected from among the following:
- FTVM 372 - Contemporary Film Theory
- FTVM 375 - Television Theory and Criticism
- FTVM 376 - New Media Theory
- FTVM 461 - Explorations in Feminist Film Theory
C. Introduction to production course: FTVM 290- Introduction to Media Production.
D. Two production or writing courses selected from the following:
- FTVM 300 - Movie/Serial Television Production I
- FTVM 301 - Documentary I
- FTVM 302 - Multi-Camera Television Production
- FTVM 304 - Topics in Media Production I
- FTVM 305 - The Experimental Screen
- FTVM 306 - Animation and Digital Media Practices I
- FTVM 309 - Shorts from Short Stories
- FTVM 310 - Screenwriting I: The Feature Script
- FTVM 311 - Writing for Television I: The Spec Script
- FTVM 317 - WOLV TV
- FTVM 391 - Editing Theory & Practice
- FTVM 392 - Cinematography
- FTVM 393 - Screendance (only if elected FA 20 or later)
- FTVM 394 - Topics in Digital Media Production (only if elected WN21 or later)
E. One studies course selected from among the following in National, Regional, or Transnational Cinema, or in a 300 or 400-level Television or Digital Media course:
- FTVM 250 / JUDAIC 250 / MIDEAST 280 - Jewish Film: Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality
- FTVM / SLAVIC / RCHUMS 313 - Russian and Ukrainian Cinema
- FTVM / POLISH 314 - Polish Cinema
- FTVM / ITALIAN 316 - Screening Italian-Americans
- FTVM 321 / MIDEAST 331 - Iranian Cinema: Re/Presenting a Nation (only if elected FA21 or later)
- FTVM 332 / GERMAN 330 - German Cinema
- FTVM / GERMAN 333 - Fascist Cinema
- FTVM / AMCULT / COMM 334 - Race, Gender, Sexuality and U.S. Culture in Video Games
- FTVM / ASIAN 341 - Bollywood and Beyond: An Introduction to Popular Indian Cinema
- FTVM / GERMAN / AMCULT 346 - Media Matter: From Print to Screen Culture
- FTVM 358 - Italian Film: History, Art, Entertainment
- FTVM 365 - Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary American Television
- FTVM 368 - Topics in Digital Media Studies
- FTVM / HISTART / HISTORY / JUDAIC 379 - Jewish Photographers Picture the Modern World (only if elected WN20 or later)
- FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 380 - Studies in Transnational Media
- FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 381 - Latinas/Latinos and the Media
- FTVM / AAS 440 - African Cinema
- FTVM 441 - National Screens
- FTVM / AAS 442 - Third World Cinema
- FTVM / ASIAN 458 - Film Culture in Korea
- FTVM / AAS 470 - Cultural Cinema
- FTVM 485 - The Global Screen
- ITALIAN 358 - Italian Cinema
- or a similar course pre-approved by the advisor.
2. Required Electives: 7 credits of FTVM coursework at the 300 or 400 level. One of these courses must be a 3-credit studies course (see lists below).
Production Courses
- FTVM 300 - Movie/Serial Television Production I
- FTVM 301 - Documentary I
- FTVM 302 - Multi-Camera Television Production
- FTVM 303 - Mini Course in Media Production II
- FTVM 304 - Topics in Media Production I
- FTVM 305 - The Experimental Screen
- FTVM 306 - Animation and Digital Media Practices I
- FTVM 309 - Shorts from Short Stories
- FTVM 310 - Screenwriting I: The Feature Script
- FTVM 311 - Writing for Television I: The Spec Script
- FTVM 317 - WOLV TV
- FTVM 391 - Editing Theory & Practice
- FTVM 392 - Cinematography
- FTVM 394 - Topics in Digital Media Production (only if elected WN21 or later)
- FTVM 400 - Movie/Serial Television Production II
- FTVM 401 - Documentary II
- FTVM 402 - Topics in Television Production
- FTVM 403 - Television Sketch Comedy
- FTVM 404 - Topics in Media Production II
- FTVM 405 - Screendance
- FTVM 406 - Animation and Digital Media Practices II
- FTVM 410 - Screenwriting II: The Rewrite
- FTVM 411 - Writing for Television II: Pilots
- FTVM 421 - TV Pilots
- FTVM 423 - Practicum for the Screenwriter
- FTVM 427 - Screenwriting III
Studies Courses
o FTVM / SLAVIC 313 - Russian and Ukranian Cinema
o FTVM / POLISH 314 - Polish Cinema
o FTVM / CZECH 315 - Czech Cinema
o FTVM / ITALIAN 316 - Screening Italian-Americans
o FTVM 320 - Documentary Film
o FTVM 325 - New Line and New Hollywood Cinema
o FTVM / ENGLISH 330 - Major Director (rotating topics)
o FTVM / ENGLISH 331 - Film Genres and Types (rotating topics)
o FTVM 332 / GERMAN 330 - German Cinema
o FTVM 333 - Fascist Cinema
o FTVM / AMCULT 334 - Race, Gender, Sexuality, and U.S. Culture in Video Games
o FTVM 340 - Writing Film Criticism
o FTVM / ASIAN 341 - Intro to India Cinema
o FTVM / AMCULT / GERMAN 346 - Media Matter: From Print to Screen Culture
o FTVM 350 - The Silent Screen: Arts and Cultures
o FTVM 353 - Film History: Post New Wave
o FTVM 354 - New Media History
o FTVM 355 - Television History
o FTVM 356 - History of Documentary
o FTVM 358 - Italian Film: History, Art, Entertainment
o FTVM / WGS 361 (WOMENSTD 361) - Women in Film
o FTVM 365 - Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary American Television
o FTVM 366 - Film, Television, and Popular Culture (rotating topics)
o FTVM 367 - Introduction to Digital Media Studies
o FTVM 368 - Topics in Digital Media Studies (rotating topics)
o FTVM 372 - Contemporary Film Theory
o FTVM 375 - Television Theory
o FTVM 376 - Digital Media Theory
o FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 380 - Studies in Transnational Media
o FTVM / AMCULT / LATINOAM 381 - Latinas(os) and the Media
o FTVM 422 - Topics in Avant-Garde Film
o FTVM 435 (335) – Authorship & the Archive: Exploring the Film, Theater, & TV Collections of the U of M Special Collections Library
o FTVM 440 / AAS 440 - African Cinema
o FTVM 441 - National Screens (rotating topics)
o FTVM 442 / AAS 442 - Third World Cinema
o FTVM 451 / AMCULT 490 - American Film Genres
o FTVM 455 - Topics in Film (rotating topics)
o FTVM / ASIAN 458 - Korean Film Culture
o FTVM 460 - Technology and the Moving Image
o FTVM / WGS 461 (WOMENSTD 461) - Explorations in Feminist Film Theory
o FTVM 475 – Popular Film and TV Culture
o FTVM 485 - The Global Screen
o COMM 251 - Understanding Media Industries
Optional Submajor: Screenwriting
Other Department Policies
Screenwriting Submajor of Film, Television, and Media Major
The department offers a sub-major in Screenwriting to undergraduate students in the Film, Television, and Media major who demonstrate a special talent for writing for the screen.
Honors
The Honors plan in the Department of Film, Television, and Media offers qualified Film, Television, and Media majors a special opportunity. Upper-level students with strong academic records and a demonstrated ability to carry out the independent work required to complete an Honors thesis, screenplay, film, video or digital production are encouraged to apply. The Film, Television, and Media Honors major is not restricted to students who have been in the College Honors Program in their freshman and sophomore years.
Upon successful completion of the Honors plan, students may graduate with Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors in Film, Television, and Media, depending on the evaluation of their thesis, screenplay, or project. These Honors designations appear on their diploma along with any College Honors designations they earn from their overall grade point.
Students accepted into the Honors plan also become members of the Honors Program of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. As members of the LSA Honors Program, they gain access to a variety of special services such as possible financial support for their Honors work. In addition, students may also apply for competitive scholarships administered by the Department of Film, Television, and Media to help with costs associated with Honors projects.
Admission. To be considered for the Honors major, students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the Film, Television, and Media major. Students must also identify a Film, Television, and Media faculty sponsor and file an application for admission to the Honors plan no later than three terms prior to the intended graduation date. For further information, contact the Film, Television, and Media Department at (734) 764-0147.
Screenwriting (Sub-Major)
Effective Winter 2014
Advising
Students who may be interested in a major in Film, Television, and Media are encouraged to consult with a department advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at: https://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/AdvAppts/AA_StuSelfSvc1.aspx?ctgy=SAC
Prerequisites
Additional Pre-requisites and/or requirements are listed on the Film, Television, and Media Major page.
FTVM 236 and FTVM 272, each completed with a minimum grade of C-. Prerequisites for the Film, Television, and Media major may be taken for a grade or may be taken P/F.
Students interested in the submajor must take the same prerequisite courses required of students wishing to declare the Film, Television, and Media major. Students with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in these two courses should meet with an advisor to declare his/her major in Film, Television, and Media.
Students must then take FTVM 290 and 210, followed by FTVM 310. After successful completion of FTVM 310, and acceptance and successful completion, B- or better, in FTVM 410, the student may apply for the Screenwriting submajor. The student should contact the Coordinator of Screenwriting to state their interest in applying to the submajor.
Requirements
Final approval for the Screenwriting submajor is based on the student's acceptance and successful completion, B or better, of one of the following:
- FTVM 427, Screenwriting III
OR
FTVM 423, Practicum for the Screenwriter (only if the student is selected as one of the two screenwriters for the course) - FTVM 311, Screenwriting for Television
Note: If a student is not accepted into the Screenwriting submajor, he or she may continue with the Film, Television, and Media major. The courses required of the student to apply for the submajor will all satisfy requirements in the general Film, Television, and Media major, whether or not the student is successful in his/her application to the Screenwriting submajor. Students who receive notice of their acceptance into the Screenwriting submajor from the Screenwriting Coordinator should see the Associate Chair of Film, Television, and Media to complete a revised major declaration form to notify the college of their admission into the Screenwriting submajor.
Submajors are expected to complete all normal Film, Television, and Media requirements for the major in the studies-based part of the curriculum.
Distribution Policy
No course used to fulfill a major requirement may be used toward the LSA Distribution Requirement. In addition, courses in the FTVM and SAC subject areas may not be used toward the Distribution Requirement.Honors
After successful completion of FTVM 410, students with a GPA of 3.5 or above in the Film, Television, and Media major and 3.4 GPA overall may wish to declare Honors in Screenwriting. Interested students should consult the Coordinator of Screenwriting.
