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Film Pathway
This pathway assumes:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
FILM, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in film. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1
FILM 101 Introduction to Film (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to the art of cinema through exposition and examination of basic components of film. (Hw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or FILM 130 Introduction to Film History (5 credits )
| Description | This course examines the history of film as an international artistic medium from its inception to the contemporary era. Topics to be discussed may include invention and early expansion, the silent era, the classical Hollywood studio cinema, postwar cinema, international movements, and contemporary. (Hg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Fundamental course in communication theory. Students will apply knowledge in variety of settings including interpersonal, public speaking, and small group communication. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 102 Introduction to Mass Media (5 credits )
| Description | This course explores the history, institutions, and social impact of mass communication media. The course is taught from a perspective of theories of persuasion, the symbolic power of images, and the relationship between information and knowledge. Special attention is given to the impact of these media on how we live and believe as individuals and as a society. Oral and written communication skills are acquired through class presentations, discussion, observation, and written assignments. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: FILM 101 is the preferred choice for your Quarter 1 film course.
Course note: See below for recommended CMST courses for various career paths. Feel free to substitute a different CMST course that meets the oral communication skills requirement (click for list).
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Career exploration: Watch films, listen to film podcasts, read movie reviews, record your responses to movies on Letterboxd.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
FILM 101 Introduction to Film (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to the art of cinema through exposition and examination of basic components of film. (Hw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or FILM 130 Introduction to Film History (5 credits )
| Description | This course examines the history of film as an international artistic medium from its inception to the contemporary era. Topics to be discussed may include invention and early expansion, the silent era, the classical Hollywood studio cinema, postwar cinema, international movements, and contemporary. (Hg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
FILM 264 Women in Film (5 credits)
| Description | This course introduces students to the roles women have occupied in the history of cinema, onscreen and off. Students will study the historical and cultural conditions under which women have worked in film, learn about gender theory, and develop methods of understanding and appreciating film art. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hwdg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or FILM 280 International Film (5 credits )
| Description | Formerly Film 180. This course will introduce students to the cinematic traditions, development, aesthetics and selected works of countries and cultures outside of the United' States and Canada. Particular works, artists and traditions may be emphasized at the instructor's discretion, but students will be offered an opportunity to study and more deeply appreciate films from the 'other Hollywood'. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hwg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 107 Math In Society (5 credits)
| Description | Formerly MATH 125. Exploration of mathematical concepts with emphasis on observing closely, developing critical thinking, analyzing and synthesizing techniques, improving problem solving skills, and applying concepts to new situations. Core topics are probability and statistics. Additional topics may be chosen from a variety of math areas useful inour society. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Compare the different film and film-related majors at universities you're interested in.
Career exploration: Watch the Oscars.
Quarter 3
FILM 210 Film Genres (5 credits)
| Description | Formerly FILM 110. This course is an introduction to the study of selected major film genres. Includes analyzing and discussing representative genre films to determine their formulae, conventions, and iconography. Also covers the historical, sociological, and mythological dimensions of genre. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or FILM 265 Americn LGBTQ+ Cinema (5 credits )
| Description | This course explores representative American films about LGBTQ+ experience, mostly made by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender directors, writers, and performers. Students will examine films for their cinematic elements, as well as their themes and their relationships to the lives of their creators and to LGBTQ+ culture. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science (5 credits)
| Description | Introductory non-laboratory course in biology emphasizing the environment and its living organisms. Includes discussion of early evolution, energy, ecosystems, and populations, and the balance between man and his environment. Either ENVS& 100 or ENVS& 101 may be taken for credit, not both. (MSws) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
DRMA& 101 Introduction to Theatre (5 credits)
| Description | Includes the study of social justice movement, ideas and philosophies as they are present in significant works of global dramatic literature and modes of theatrical performance. Among the topics of social justice covered are the rise of the women's movement, the Civil Rights movement, race relations in America, cultural insensitivity, totalitarianism, and political satire. These movements and ideas are explored through dramatic literature and theatrical performance spanning Greek tragedies to contemporary avant-garde, and includes Beijing Opera, classical Japanese forms, classical theater, realism, musicals, and vaudeville. (Hdg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: See below for recommended humanities courses for various career paths. Feel free to substitute a different course for DRMA& 101.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
FILM 240 Documentary Film (5 credits)
| Description | Formerly FILM 140. This course will examine the wide range of motives and styles, from Nazi propaganda to ethnographic films to the evening news. We will discuss the relationship of documentary film to conscience, knowledge, art, and ideology. Course will explore such aspects of documentary filmmaking as director personality, funding, and ethical considerations in producing documentary films. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)
| Description | Surveys the knowledge and methods of the discipline of psychology. Emphasis include an overview of current knowledge in major areas of psychology, accessing and assessing information about behavior, skills inscientific reasoning and critical thinking. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ANTH& 100 Survey of Anthropology (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to anthropology stressing human origins, cultural diversity, and bio-cultural-ecological adaptations. Topics include human inheritance, evolution, human fossils, prehistoric cultures, and a comparison of resource consumption and economics, human impact on the natural environment, family, politics, values, communication, expressive arts, religion, culture change and globalization. (SSgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL 201 Advanced Composition (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective communicators through the production of various forms and mediums of writing. Students develop effective rhetorical strategies through analysis of texts and contexts, as well as engaging in independent research as part of meaningful and ethical scholarship. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL 202 Writing About Literature (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop skills in reading and writing about literature. Students analyze literature based on elements of genres, including fiction, poetry, and/or drama, and develop essays using strategies of literary analysis. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: See below for recommended social science courses for various career paths. Feel free to substitute a different course for PSYC& 100 or ANTH& 100.
Career exploration: Clarify your emphasis in the field of film.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
FILM 264 Women in Film (5 credits)
| Description | This course introduces students to the roles women have occupied in the history of cinema, onscreen and off. Students will study the historical and cultural conditions under which women have worked in film, learn about gender theory, and develop methods of understanding and appreciating film art. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hwdg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or FILM 280 International Film (5 credits )
| Description | Formerly Film 180. This course will introduce students to the cinematic traditions, development, aesthetics and selected works of countries and cultures outside of the United' States and Canada. Particular works, artists and traditions may be emphasized at the instructor's discretion, but students will be offered an opportunity to study and more deeply appreciate films from the 'other Hollywood'. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hwg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
IDS 180 VIsual Media and Culture (5 credits)
| Description | Interdisciplinary exploration of cultural identity and values in relation to visual media. Draws on humanities anthropology, communications studies, symbolic reasoning. Examines forms of visual expression inglobal and historical comparison as well as the use of visual media assource material for cultural study. (H,SSwg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH/SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: See below for recommended social science courses for various career paths. Feel free to substitute a different course for IDS 180.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
FILM 210 Film Genres (5 credits)
| Description | Formerly FILM 110. This course is an introduction to the study of selected major film genres. Includes analyzing and discussing representative genre films to determine their formulae, conventions, and iconography. Also covers the historical, sociological, and mythological dimensions of genre. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or FILM 265 Americn LGBTQ+ Cinema (5 credits )
| Description | This course explores representative American films about LGBTQ+ experience, mostly made by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender directors, writers, and performers. Students will examine films for their cinematic elements, as well as their themes and their relationships to the lives of their creators and to LGBTQ+ culture. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (Hwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
GEOL 140 Natural Disasters (5 credits)
| Description | Formerly GEOL 120. A study of the nature, causes, impacts, and methods of coping with natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, tsunami, tornadoes, hurricanes, drought, blizzards, fires, and other topics. Lab work and field trips included. (MSgsl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or GEOL 100 Introduction to Earth Science (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Interaction of physical processes on earth with human affairs. Lab work included.(MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
PSYC 211 Social Psychology (5 credits)
| Description | The scientific study of the influence of people upon each other's behavior. Topics include social perception, attraction, pro-social behavior, aggression, attitude formation and change, group processes, applied topics, e.g. legal system, health, organizations. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits )
| Description | Study of culture and society with a cross-cultural perspective of human adaptation to the bio-cultural environment. Topics include technology, resource consumption and economics, medicine, family, social groups, political systems, religion, expressive arts, language, values, culture change, human impact on the environment, and globalization. (SSwdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: See below for recommended social science courses for various career paths. Feel free to substitute a different course for PSYC 211 or ANTH& 206.
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
Areas of emphasis for film studies majors
Each area lists suggested electives. Talk with your advisor about which electives meet your goals.
Film criticism/journalism
- ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology
- ART& 100 Art Appreciation
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3)
- ART 107 Art in World Cultures
- ART 185 Intro to Visual Communications
- CMST& 102 Intro to Mass Media
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
- JOURN 120 Horizon Staff (student news media)
- JOURN 210 Writing for the Mass Media
- JOURN 211 Advanced Reporting/Editing
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- World Language (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
Film/television production
- ART 185 Intro to Visual Communications
- BUS& 101 Introduction to Business
- BUS 125 Leadership & Relationship Building
- CMST& 102 Intro to Mass Media
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST 245 Organizational Communication
- CMST 250 Survey of Communication Theory
- DRMA& 101 Intro to Theatre
- DRMA 110 Theatre Production
- DRMA 120 Experimental Theatre Projects
- ECON 110 Principles of Environmental Economics
- ECON 210 Economic Ethics
- IDS 123 Art, Business and Community
- MATH 145 Algebra Applications for Economics and Business
- MUSC 156 Introduction to Digital Audio Technology
- PSYC 250 Introduction to Organizational Behavior
Visual effects artist (art + computer science focus)
- ART 112 Drawing
- ART 114 History of Graphic Design
- ART 115 2D Design
- ART 116 3D Design
- ART 134 The Art of Color
- ART 150 History of Photography: 1839 to the Present
- ART 179 2D Animation
- ART 185 Intro to Visual Communications
- ART 186 Introduction to Digital Video
- ART 187 Computer Art
- BUS 109 Digital Marketing
- CIS 100 Computer Literacy
- CS 101 Computers and Software
- CS& 140 Computer Science I - Java
- CS 145 Computer Science II
- ENGR& 114 Engineering Graphics
- MATH& 151 Calculus I
- MATH 204 Intro to Linear Algebra
Film composing/score
- IDS 140 Making Musical Instruments
- MUSC 110 Intro to World Music
- MUSC 115 Survey of American Music
- MUSC 120 Survey of Jazz History
- MUSC 125 Survey of Popular Music
- MUSC 156 Introduction to Digital Audio Technology
- MUSC& 105 Music Appreciation
- MUSC& 141 Music Theory I
- MUSC& 142 Music Theory II
- MUSC& 143 Music Theory III
- MUSC& 241 Music Theory IV
- MUSC& 242 Music Theory V
- MUSC& 243 Music Theory VI
Teaching film at the college level (college professor)
- ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology
- ART 185 Intro to Visual Communications
- CMST& 101 Intro to Communication
- CMST& 102 Intro to Mass Media
- CMST 250 Survey of Communication Theory
- EDUC& 202 Introduction to Education
- HIST Any course
- HUM& 101 Intro to the Humanities
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- PSYC& 100 General Psychology
- PSYC 211 Social Psychology
- World Language (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
Screenwriting
- ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language
- ENGL& 111 Intro to Literature
- ENGL 124 Environmental Literature
- ENGL 136 Science Fiction/ Fantasy
- ENGL 150 Intro to British Literature
- ENGL 161 Intro to American Literature
- ENGL 225 Children’s Literature I
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- ENGL& 236 Creative Writing I
- ENGL& 237 Creative Writing II
- ENGL 238 Gender and Literature
- ENGL 267 Native American Literature
- ENGL 282 Intro to World Literature
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
Acting
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- CMST 225 Intercultural Communication
- DRMA& 101 Intro to Theatre
- DRMA 125 Acting I
- DRMA 126 Acting II
- DRMA 140 Creative Drama
- PSYC& 100 General Psychology
- PSYC 211 Social Psychology