School of Arts and Sciences
Film and Media Studies

Bachelor of Arts 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 media practice supplemented by electives in a variety of departments to foster an interdisciplinary,  individualized  approach. Through the study of film and media as craft traditions, art forms, cultural forces and industries on a global scale, students become more discerning and active users of media, able to understand and employ them in meaningful and impactful ways. 

Major Course Requirements

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

  • Two required core courses
  • Eight elective courses, OR six elective courses plus a two-course Senior Honors Thesis

  • The two required core courses impart analytical and writing skills, historical background, and theoretical underpinnings that form the liberal arts foundation for the major.

    1. FMS-0001 Art of the Moving Image

      Students should take FMS-0001 Art of the Moving Image as their first course in the major (or aim to complete it in their first year in FMS). FMS-0001 is a prerequisite for a number of FMS courses and must be taken before enrolling in those courses. This course is taught every semester and is open to first-years, sophomores, and juniors.
       
    2. Choose one of the following:
       
    • FMS-0002 Global History of Cinema
    • FMS-0006 20th Century U.S. Television History
    • FMS-0007 Cultural History of the Internet

    Students should aim to complete the second core requirement by junior year, if possible. One of these courses is taught each semester. Students may take additional core course(s) as elective courses.

    Courses

  • Students must take eight elective courses (or six if undertaking a Senior Honors Thesis)

    Five elective courses within the following degree requirement categories:

    • One theory course
    • One social science or media studies course
    • One practice course
    • One non-U.S. course
    • One upper-level course

    Plus, choose one of the following:

    • Three additional elective courses
    • One additional elective course, plus the two-course Senior Honors Thesis (FMS-0198 and FMS-0199)

    The additional electives can come from any elective category; however, a maximum of four practice courses can count toward the major.

    Courses Senior Honors Thesis Directed Study Production Sequence

Major Degree Policies and Graduation Forms

Review the following major degree policies and required forms for graduation information:

  • Major Degree Policies

    • Each elective course can be used to fulfill one elective requirement category.
    • A maximum of four courses in the elective practice category can be counted towards the major.
    • One internship course (FMS-0099) can be applied toward the major. Additionally, the internship course counts as a major practice elective but doesn't satisfy the film and media practice elective category requirement.
    • One FMS Directed Study (FMS-0195) can be applied toward the major as an additional elective.
    • For  double majors, up to five FMS courses can be used toward both an FMS and another major. Please check with your other major’s policy for double-counting course requirements.  
    • Up to five courses taken abroad or at other universities can be counted toward the FMS major. Each of these must meet the FMS course criteria and be approved by Malcolm Turvey, FMS Director. To request course credit for a course taken at another institution, please follow the instructions on the Tufts Transfer Credit page.
    • Any FMS or cross-listed FMS course listed on the FMS course list can be used to fulfill the FMS degree requirements. On the rare occasion that a non cross-listed Tufts course meets FMS criteria, a student may petition to have it counted by submitting the FMS Degree Credit Petition.
    • A grade of a C- or higher is required to count a course toward the major. No major course may be taken Pass/Fail except the FMS-0099 internship course.

    Elective Course Categories

    When selecting courses each semester, please use the FMS course catalog for accurate elective category requirements (theory, non-U.S., practice, social science, media studies, or elective). Please note, due to an ongoing FMS curriculum review, past course classifications may have changed.

    • Requirement rule: a course can only be counted as fulfilling an elective category requirement for the FMS degree if it is listed as fulfilling that requirement in the course catalog for the semester in which it was taken.
    • Verification: Check the Course Catalog Archives to confirm past requirements.

    Major Degree Forms for Graduation:

Track your FMS Major Degree Progress

Track your FMS degree using the FMS Major Degree Progress Worksheet (unofficial). This data can be used to complete your FMS degree checklist later.

Who to Contact

For questions about the FMS degree, choosing an FMS advisor, or general program questions please contact Malcolm Turvey, FMS Director. 

For questions about film production courses offered by FMS and which ones to take, please contact Natalie Minik, Production Manager. 

Student Resources

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