Performing Arts Building, Room A407
Phone: 703-993-1992
Web: www.gmu.edu/cvpa/favs
Cynthia Lont, Program Director
Clayton Austin, Theater; Thomas Britt, Film and Video Studies; Julie Christensen, Modern and Classical Languages; Mark Cooley, Art and Visual Technology; Lynne Constantine, Art and Visual Technology; Edgar Endress, Art and Visual Technology; Peggy Feerick, Art and Visual Technology; Cynthia Fuchs, English; Edward Gero, Theater; Timothy Gibson, Communication; Carma Hinton, Robinson Professor; Richard Kamenitzer, Arts Management; Howard Kurtz, Theater; Alison Landsberg, History and Art History; Scott Martin, Arts Management; Kristina Olsen, Modern and Classical Languages; Paula Petrik, History and Art History; Janine Ricouart, Modern and Classical Languages; Jeanette Roan, English; Mark Sample, English; Jessica Scarlata, English; Gail Scott White, Art and Visual Technology; Martin Winkler, Modern and Classical Languages; Sue Wrbican, Art and Visual Technology
The Film and Video Studies Program offers all course work designated FAVS.
BA-FAVS
The Film and Video Studies Program offers a 120-credit multidisciplinary BA degree, which spans many units including Art and Visual Technology, Communication, English, History and Art History, Modern and Classical Languages, New Century College, and Theater. Students study film and video production, theory, criticism, ethics, screenwriting, and business.
The vocabulary of film (broadly defined) now pervades the intellectual, cultural, political, and social landscape. The tools the filmmaker wields apply to an ever-widening range of tasks across the fields of human endeavor, from traditional narrative and documentary productions to academic research and pedagogical applications to projects of personal expression. Emerging technology makes the means of production available to anyone with access to a moderate level of computing power. This combination of factors makes film an important subject for academic inquiry and training.
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students seeking a BA in film and video studies should speak with the program director about this requirement.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
|
General Education |
40 |
|
Foundation Requirements |
|
|
Written communication: ENGL 101 and 302 |
6 |
|
Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGL 100 or 101, as well as in 302, to fulfill degree requirements. Students are reminded that the English Department offers proficiency exams for credit and exemption from this requirement. |
|
|
Oral communication |
3 |
|
Quantitative reasoning |
3 |
|
Either appropriate placement score on quantitative skills and one of MATH 108, 110, 111, 113, 115, 125; or IT 250; or STAT 250; or lower placement score requiring MATH 106. |
|
|
Information technology |
3 |
|
Core Requirements |
|
|
Literature |
3 |
|
Arts |
3 |
|
Natural science (including one laboratory science) |
7 |
|
Western civilization |
3 |
|
Global understanding |
3 |
|
Social and behavioral sciences |
3 |
|
Synthesis requirement |
3 |
|
Foreign language or a minor** |
|
|
Major |
48 |
|
Film and Video Studies Core Requirements |
30 |
|
Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all core courses (AVT 204; COMM 355, 454; ENGL 331, 332; FAVS 100, 355, 450, 499; THR 482). |
|
|
AVT 204 Visual Thinking |
3 |
|
COMM 355 Video Production: Principles and Practices |
3 |
|
COMM 454 Free Speech and Ethics |
3 |
|
ENGL 331 Introduction to Documentary Film |
3 |
|
ENGL 332 Introduction to Film |
3 |
|
FAVS 100 Colloquium (1 credit, three times) |
3 |
|
FAVS 355 Introduction to Business and Distribution of Film and Video |
3 |
|
FAVS 450 Internship |
3 |
|
FAVS 499 Senior Thesis/Project |
3 |
|
THR 482 Advanced Screenplay Workshop |
3 |
|
Analysis, History, Theory Take 6 credits from the following:
|
6 |
|
***Video Production Take 6 credits from the following:
|
6 |
|
Electives in Area of Specialization |
6 |
|
Students are required to take two courses demonstrating a focus in subject matter, possibly from the following departments: History, Music, Sociology and Anthropology, or Theater. |
|
|
General Electives |
32 |
*FAVS majors may not double-count courses toward both the FAVS major and university general education requirements.
**See beginning of CVPA chapter for foreign language requirements.
***Students may count no more than 16 credits of AVT courses toward their FAVS degree in this category.