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. 

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. 

  • Art of the Moving Image (FMS-0001) 

    Students should take Art of the Moving Image (FMS-0001) 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. Questions about the course can be directed to the instructor or Denise Cummings, Director of Undergraduate Studies.

  • Global History of Cinema (FMS-0002) OR 20th Century U.S. Television History (FMS-0006) 

    Students should aim to complete the second core requirement by junior year, if possible. Both are taught alternating spring semesters - typically Television History (FMS-0006) is offered in the even years and Global History (FMS-0002) in the odd years.

Elective Courses (Eight 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 course
  • One practice course
  • One non-U.S. film or media course
  • One upper level course or seminar

Three additional elective courses OR one elective course plus the two-course Senior Honors Thesis (FMS-0198 and FMS-0199). The three additional electives can come from any elective category with a maximum of four from the practice category.

Elective courses fulfilling each of these requirements are on the FMS course list. 

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. The thesis allows students to undertake an in-depth, self-directed work of scholarship, writing, or media-making informed by research and prior coursework. 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 students interested in filmmaking have the option of completing the major by following our Film and Media Production Sequence. Up to four practice courses may be counted toward the FMS major, and majors can undertake a two-semester production-based Senior Honors Thesis in their senior year.

FMS 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.
  • 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 Denise Cummings, FMS Director of Undergraduate Studies. 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 completing the FMS Course Credit Petition, which must be submitted to and approved by Tasha Oren, FMS Program Director. 
  • 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.

The following forms are required to complete the major:

Academic questions about the FMS degree program can be directed to Denise Cummings, FMS Director of Undergraduate Studies.