A collaboration between various departments has seen the introduction of the new Film Studies and Digital Production minor.
The minor combines classes from both the Art, Theatre, English and Mass Communications programs.
“Students have expressed an interest in film in various ways, and this preference became more and more evident in surveys we conducted, comments we heard, and activity and increased enrollment we experienced in our various film courses and film clubs,” Department Head of the Languages, Literature and Mass Communication Department Dr. Barry Laga said.
While Colorado Mesa University (CMU) does not offer a formal degree in film or film studies, Western Colorado Community College (WCCC) does have an associate’s degree available in Digital Film Production.
The minor came together as a result of the heads of various departments working together. Mo LaMee of the Theatre Department, Suzie Garner of the Art Department, and Laga all designed the curriculum together, along with Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs Tim Pinnow.
The foundation for the minor is nine credits, and requires Intro to Film Studies, Script Analysis and Video Production or Image & Motion. From there, students can pick another nine credits of various upper-level classes from each department, such as Sound Design & Post Production, Directing I and Documentary & News Production.
“Realistically, the minor paves the way for the next step,” Laga said. “An 18-hour minor does not offer enough depth and breadth to prepare students for the film industry, but choosing to minor in film will help students decide where their interests lie. Plus, students would be in a reasonable position to apply to graduate school or experiment with making films.”
The courses chosen in the upper level classes will allow students to focus on production, scholarship or theatrical elements.
“We encounter film and video everywhere we look, and an ability to interpret and produce films, even at an introductory level, will benefit us for the rest of our lives,” Laga said.
