The Cinema Studies Honors Program is designed for outstanding Cinema Studies majors interested in independent research or screenplay writing. With the guidance of a faculty member, students will complete a thesis in the form of either a high-level scholarly essay (in either written or video form), or a full-length screenplay.

Eligibility

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.70 in Cinema Studies courses and 3.5 overall.

Completion of the Cinema Studies fundamentals curriculum (J201: Media and Society; CINE 260M: Media Aesthetics; and two from CINE 265, CINE 266, or CINE 267 History of Motion Pictures).

Completion of either CINE 420: Advanced Screenwriting (if applying for the Screenplay option) or CINE 407: Research Methods in Cinema Studies (if applying for the research option) with a grade of B- or better. These courses are typically offered in Fall term.

Application

Students will apply to the Honors and Awards Committee for acceptance into the Honors Program no later than Week 5 of Fall term in the year in which the student intends to graduate.

Application materials should include a brief (500 words or less) description of the proposed project and an official transcript. In the proposal, students should identify their top 3 choices for faculty they would like to supervise the project.

(Note that students do not need to seek approval or consult with these faculty members to include them on their list. Instead, the Honors and Awards Committee will be tasked with liaising with faculty members and placing students with an advisor.)

View Application

Program Structure

Screenplay Option

• With the guidance of their faculty advisor, students will submit a finished screenplay (length and details to be determined by the student and advisor) no later than week nine of the term the student intends to graduate.
• The screenplay can be based on or expand work done in CINE 420: Advanced Screenwriting. Typically, students will work on the screenplay in Winter and Spring terms.
• While it is not required, students can enroll in CINE 405: Independent Study during Winter and Spring terms.
• A maximum of 4-6 students will be accepted into the screenplay option of the program, depending on faculty availability.

Research Option

• With the guidance of their faculty advisor, students will submit a finished research paper or video essay (length and details to be determined by the student and advisor) for review no later than week nine of the term the student intends to graduate.
• The research paper or video essay can be based on or expand work done in CINE 407: Research Methods in Cinema Studies. Typically, students will work on the research paper or video essay in Winter and Spring terms.
• While it is not required, students can enroll in CINE 405: Independent Study during Winter and Spring terms.
• A maximum of 8-10 students will be accepted into the research option of the program, depending on faculty availability.