School of Arts and Sciences
Film and Media Studies

BA in Film and Media Studies

In keeping with Tufts' rich liberal arts tradition, Film and Media Studies majors take core courses in film and media analysis, history, theory, and production supplemented by electives in a variety of departments that foster an interdisciplinary approach. By learning about the theory and practice of filmmaking and other forms of mass communication on a global scale, students become more discerning and active users of media, able to understand and employ them as powerful art forms that can change society for the better.

Program Requirements and Policies

  • For the bachelor of arts degree in Film and Media Studies, a total of ten courses are required.
  • Electives cannot be "double-counted"—an elective can only fulfill one FMS elective requirement.
  • For students electing to do a double major, it is possible to double count up to five approved courses toward the FMS major.
  • No more than four practice electives may be counted toward the FMS major.
  • An internship through the course FMS 0099 counts as a practice elective, but does not fulfill the film and media practice elective requirement.
  • Only one internship taken for credit may be counted toward the FMS major.
  • Only one FMS Directed Study (FMS 0195) can be counted toward the FMS major.
  • Up to five courses taken abroad or at other universities can be counted toward the FMS major at the discretion of the program director. Contact Tasha Oren for details.
  • All FMS majors must complete and submit the Major Declaration Form and the Major Checklist Form. The Major Declaration Form is due at the end of sophomore year; the FMS Major Checklist Form is due as part of the Graduation Packet during senior year.

Course Requirements

The Film and Media Studies major requires the completion of 10 courses:

Required Core Courses (Two Courses)

The two required core courses impart analytical skills, historical background, and theoretical underpinnings, providing a coherent knowledge base and consistent language among FMS students. The two required core courses are:

  • FMS 0001 Art of the Moving Image (formerly 0020)
  • FMS 0002 Global History of Cinema (formerly  0021) OR FMS 0006 20th Century U.S. Television History (formerly 0024)

We strongly encourage students to take the two required core courses early in their program of study.

Elective Courses (Eight Courses)

Students must take eight elective courses (or six, if undertaking a Senior Honors Thesis) with the following distribution: 

Electives fulfilling each of these requirements are listed on FMS courses.

For students interested in focusing on film production, FMS recommends a focused film and media production sequence.

Senior Honors Thesis (Two Courses)

In the senior year, FMS students may undertake a two-course Senior Honors Thesis under the guidance of a committee consisting of at least two faculty members, which allows students to do in-depth, self-directed work as scholars and/or artists. Students undertaking a two-course Senior Honors Thesis need only take six elective courses along with the two required core courses.

Film and Media Production Sequence

FMS majors have the option of completing the major by following our Film and Media Production Sequence. Up to four production courses may be counted toward the FMS major, and majors can undertake a two-semester production-based Senior Honors Thesis in their senior year.