School of Arts and Sciences
Film and Media Studies

Minor in Film and Media Studies

A minor in Film and Media Studies provides students with an understanding of artistic potential, and the cultural, social and political impact of various media forms. As minors, students have the opportunity to craft their concentration with courses in film and media theory, history, industry, marketing and production

Minor Course Requirements

The Film and Media Studies minor requires the completion of six courses.

  • 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.

    For SENIORS or rising seniors with circumstances that prevented them from taking FMS-0001, a substitution of the core course may be an option to complete the minor. 

    Core course substitutions may include:

    • FMS-0002 Global History of Cinema
    • FMS-0006 20th Century U.S. Television History
    • FMS-007 Cultural History of the Internet

    To apply for this exception, please complete the FMS Minor Core Substitution Petition.

     

  • Once practice course, as defined in the FMS course catalog

  • Four elective courses, which can come from any elective category, as defined in the FMS course catalog; however, a only one can come from the practice category. 

Minor Policies and Apply for Graduation

  • Minor Degree Policies

    • A total of six courses is required.
    • Each elective course can be used to fulfill one elective requirement category.
    • A maximum of two courses in the practice category may be counted toward the FMS minor.
    • One internship course (FMS-0099) can be applied to the minor. The internship course counts as elective in the practice category.
    • One FMS Directed Study (FMS-0195) can be applied to the minor.
    • Up to three courses taken abroad or at other universities can be counted toward the FMS minor. Each of these must meet the FMS course criteria and 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 can be used to fulfill the FMS minor course 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 minor. No minor 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). 

    We have been undertaking an FMS curriculum review, and courses that have counted toward the FMS degree in the past may no longer count, or may be classified in a different course category than in the past. Going forward, a course can only be counted as fulfilling a requirement for the FMS major or minor if it is listed as fulfilling that requirement in the course catalog for the semester in which it was taken. Please use Course Catalog Archives to determine course degree requirements.

  • Minor Degree Forms for Graduation

  • Track your FMS Progress

    Track your FMS degree using the FMS Minor Progress Worksheet (unofficial). This data can be used to complete your FMS minor 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.

 

Additional Student Resources