MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 13 c.u. of classes focusing primarily on film and new media

CORE REQUIREMENTS - 3 c.u.
We do not accept transfer credit for these three courses.
CINE 101 - World Film History and Analysis I, 1890-1945
CINE 102 - World Film History and Analysis II, 1945-present
CINE 103* - Introduction to Film Theory
* CINE 103 will not be mandatory for majors graduating in 09A, only for people entering the major in 08-09. For majors graduating in 09A not planning to take CINE 103, you have to take an additional elective in replacement of CINE 103.

ELECTIVES - 10 c.u.
* Of these 10 courses, a minimum of 3 must be on non-American Cinema.
* Of these 10 courses, a maximum of 3 may be courses on the production and craft of cinema (e.g. screenwriting, digital video production, cinema production, et similar.)
* Only 1 writing course may count toward the major.
* Students are asked to declare a concentration to encourage the development of depth of knowledge in specific areas of interest before graduation. Concentrations offered include major areas of interest within the field of Cinema Studies, such as: Business and Film; Cinemas of Asia (includes East and South Asian Cinemas); Cinemas of Africa and the African Diaspora; European Art Cinema; Film and the Other Arts; Film and Media Theory; Gender and Sexuality. Students may also pursue an individualized concentration, but this must be approved by the program director. Students must complete 3 courses within their chosen sub-field to fulfill the concentration requirements.

HONORS OPTION
We offer an optional, year-long honors thesis for students GPA of 3.5 or higher, plus a grad of A- or above for the senior thesis.

To declare your major in Cinema Studies, please contact
Mr. Nicola M. Gentili, Associate Director

TRANSFER CREDIT POLICY

A. For work completed at another domestic institution, please submit a transfer credit form from your school to Mr. Nicola M. Gentili, along with a syllabus and any written work you did for each course. You may do so by dropping off the materials at Fisher-Bennett Hall 209A. Transfer credit will not be accepted for:
CINE 101 - World Film History and Analysis I, 1890-1945
CINE 102 - World Film History and Analysis II, 1945-present
CINE 103 - Introduction to Film Theory
All majors must complete these three courses at Penn.

B. For courses you plan to take on a study abroad program, we encourage you to submit course descriptions to Mr. Nicola M. Gentili. Upon review, we may grant pending approval of those courses. To receive full credit after you return to Penn, you must submit a Penn Abroad Course Approval form, or its equivalent from your school, along with syllabi from the classes and any written work completed. Please note that it is each student’s responsibility to enroll only in courses that are as demanding as those at Penn.

C. Criteria for Transfer Credit Evaluation: All courses are considered on a case-by-case basis, but the following standards generally apply: instructors should hold a Ph.D. degree or its equivalent; courses in community colleges and evening or extension programs are usually not approved; courses that do not require substantial written work are not approved. Students should save all paperwork from their time abroad (written work, syllabi, course descriptions) and submit them for review with their appropriate forms.

INDEPENDENT STUDY POLICY

In exceptional circumstances, students may request that an independent study be counted toward the major, but such studies must first be approved by the program director prior to the commencement of the independent study. Students wishing to undertake an independent study must submit a proposal to both the project advisor and the program director outlining the nature of the study and why an independent study is necessary. Independent study advisors must hold a Ph.D.