Academic Programs

Take the following courses: 

• CINE 100 -- Orientation to CINE (2 units)  
  • Overview of department mission, degree requirements, areas of specialization, career opportunities, and theoretical, practical, and ethical issues of studying the cinematic arts. Campus and department resources are also highlighted. 
• CINE 101 -- Understanding Film (3 units)  
  • An introduction to the world of cinema that focuses on the fundamental vocabulary of film analysis, as well as the critical issues in and around cinema, including ideology, representation, genre, authorship, and media industries. 
• CINE 170 -- On-Set Safety and Best Practices (3 units)  
  • An introduction to the mindset, skillsets and techniques common across film and television productions promoting safety and respectful collaboration. Basics of electricity, hazards associated with stages and locations, as well as each crew member’s safety related responsibilities are highlighted.   
• CINE 201 -- Film History I: Origins to 1960 (3 units)  
  • An overview of film history from its origins to 1960. Introduces students to early and silent cinema, the Hollywood studio system, and select national movements to understand cinema’s historical, cultural, aesthetic, industrial, and social contexts. 
• CINE 202 -- Film History II: 1960 to Present (3 units)  
  • An overview of film history from the 1960s to the present. Introduces students to the new waves of the 60s, the New Hollywood, select movements and trends in world cinema, and the impact of globalization and digital technologies.  
• CINE 207 -- Intro to Screenwriting (3 units) 
  • Introduction to formal elements of writing the short script.
• CINE 210 -- Sight, Sound & Story (3 units) 
  • An introduction to storytelling through the visual language of the cinematic arts. Explores shot design and how it conveys story, character, emotion, and themes. Students create short projects using sequences of still images. 
• CINE 220 -- The Visual Story (3 units) 
  • Explores the building blocks of visual storytelling: pre-visualization, composition, and basic lighting principles which are studied through lectures, in-class practical exercises and creative collaborative projects outside of class.
• CINE 272 -- Editing I Lab (1 units) 
  • Students learn post-production workflows and software using Adobe Premiere Pro. 

Take the following courses: 

• CINE 301 -- Critical Debates in Film & Media (3 units)  
  • Explores critical debates in film and media studies by focusing on crucial trends that have reshaped film language and culture in interaction with other arts and visual media.
• CINE 305 -- Production Workshop I (3 units)  
  • Practical application of the collaborative components of narrative filmmaking: story development, pre-production, production, and post-production. Involves small group work and hands-on experience with key production roles.  

Take one of the following: 

• CINE 310 -- The World & Culture Through Film (3 units)** 
  • An overview of key concepts and debates in cultural studies and critical theory as they relate to cinema and cinema’s engagement in contemporary world issues.
• CINE 380 -- Documentary History and Theory (3 units) 
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Critical study of the history, theory, ethics, and aesthetics of documentary film.

**Students who choose to specialize in Creative Nonfiction MUST take CINE 310** 

Obtain a foundational education in the history, culture, and theory of media. Provides a pathway for students that wish to apply to graduate programs. 

Take the following courses: 

• CINE 452 -- Film and Media Theory (3 units)  
  • The study of major theories of film and digital media. Prepares students to analyze media using a variety of critical frameworks including theories of the apparatus, media specificity, genre, and spectatorship.
• CINE 471 -- Senior Seminar in Critical Studies (3 units) 
  • A writing intensive seminar that offers in-depth guidance to seniors majoring in critical studies, leading to the completion of an extended research paper (thesis) or an equivalent media project.  

Take six units from the following: 

• CINE 346 -- The European Cinema of Communism, Fascism and Resistance (3 units) 
  • Focuses on European cinema of the twentieth century as a manifestation of totalitarian and ideological movements preceding, in-between and following the two world wars. The ensuing and ongoing resistance movements will also be examined.
• CINE 392 -- Special Topics in International Cinema (3 units) 
  • Variable topics explore domain of international cinema.
    • B. European Cinema After 1960;  
    • C. Latin American Cinemas 
    • D. Japanese Cinema 
    • E. Korean Cinema 
    • F. Hong Kong Cinema 
• CINE 454 -- Italian Cinema (3 units) 
  • Historical and critical examination of Italian cinema.
• CINE 456 -- French Cinema (3 units) 
  • Historical and critical examination of French cinema.
• CINE 457 -- German Cinema (3 units) 
  • Acquaint students with art of the medium, and history of German film, particularly as it is realized through work of the artist most responsible for its success or failure, in this case, the director.
• CINE 458 -- Russian Cinema (3 units) 
  • Focuses on sociopolitical and aesthetic aspects of Russian Cinema, delineating following periods: Soviet Silent Cinema, Stalinist Cinema, Cinema under Thaw, Cinema under Brezhnev and contemporary cinema.
• CINE 460 -- Spanish Cinema (3 units) 
  • Focus on sociopolitical and aesthetic aspects of Spanish Cinema, concentrating on the following periods. Early Francoism, Neo-Realism, The Barcelona School, the Transition Period, post Franco Years, and new trends in Spanish Cinema. Taught in English.

Take nine units from the following: 

• CINE 310 -- The World & Culture Through Film (3 units)  
  • An overview of key concepts and debates in cultural studies and critical theory as they relate to cinema and cinema’s engagement in contemporary world issues.
• CINE 315 -- Digital Culture (3 units) 
  • Examines the artistic and cultural impact of digital media technologies.
• CINE 316 -- Mass Media and Popular Culture (3 units) 
  • Theory and functions of mass media in America. Enduring issues and unresolved problems of media. Impact of mass culture on a mass-mediated society.
• CINE 317 -- Women in the History of U.S. Film (3 units) 
  • History of women as they are represented, presented as images, or constructed in the development of U.S. film. Theory and analysis of film from a feminist perspective.
• CINE 362 -- Black Cinemas (3 units) 
  • A survey of the history, theories, culture, debates, and politics of Black cinemas, including discussions about the role of Black people on screen and behind the camera.  
• CINE 363 -- Queer Film & Media (3 units) 
  • Examination, discussion, and viewing of key media directed by/about LBGTQ+ people, in the United States and abroad, from silent cinema to the 21st century, in tandem with key scholarship in the field. 
• CINE 364 -- Cinemas of Rebellion and Resistance (3 units)
  • An overview of different filmmaking traditions that approach cinema as an instrument of social change and political action, studying the relations between cinema and human rights, social justice, revolutionary moments, activism, and forms of global protest.   
• CINE 380 -- Documentary History and Theory (3 units) 
  • Critical study of the history, theory, ethics, and aesthetics of documentary film.
• CINE 395 -- Film Genres (3 units) 
  • This course includes multiple sections that focus on different film genres, examining their developments and implications through notable films from critical viewpoints.
    • A. Horror 
    • B. Comedy 
    • C. Science Fiction 
    • D. Thriller 
    • E. Melodrama 
    • F. Action 
• CINE 426 -- Critical Television Studies and Culture (3 units) 
  • The study of television history and criticism from its origins through the contemporary digital moment.  
• CINE 445 -- Cinema and Migration (3 units) 
  • Explores the relations between film, media, and various forms of migration, focusing on the different artistic, ethical, and cultural dimensions at work in cinematic responses to displacement. 
• CINE 450 -- American Indian and Indigenous Cinema (3 units) 
  • Examines American Indian and Indigenous self-representation in film.  Focus on the history and theory of “Fourth World” cinema production. 
• CINE 451 -- American Cinema in Focus (3 Units)
  • Studies specific aspects or areas of American cinema that are not regularly taught. Instructors select critical topics for intensive development (for example, “Classical Hollywood Cinema,” “Girl Media,” or “American Vampires”). 
• CINE 453 -- Mind-Game Film (3 units) 
  •  This course explores complex narrative films that play games with our mind and promote thought experiments with puzzling topics: time travel, parallel worlds, identity change, network society, and virtual reality.
• CINE 462 -- East Asian Cinemas (3 units)
  • Historical and critical examination of cinemas of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan.
• CINE 463 -- Southeast Asian Cinemas (3 units)
  • Historical and critical examination of cinemas of Southeast Asia.
• CINE 464 -- Middle Eastern Cinemas (3 units)
  • Historical and critical examination of cinemas of the Middle East and North Africa, including Israel, the Arab world, Turkey, and Iran.
• CINE 486 -- Alternative Media (3 units) 
  • Critical study of censorship and suppression of information in mainstream media by governmental and corporate entities. Focus on importance of freedom of information and access to diverse viewpoints. Students research environmental, multicultural, peace, and other issues utilizing alternative media.

Focus on writing, producing, and directing short narrative films, including collaborative work on advanced projects.

Take the following courses: 

• CINE 344 -- Directing I (3 units) 
  • The art and discipline of storytelling through the directing process, including script interpretation, casting, rehearsal, blocking, scene coverage, camera placement, and directing visuals and actors in relation to short film productions.
• CINE 345 -- Directing II (3 units) 
  • A deeper dive into the art and craft of narrative filmmaking. Covers plot development, scene continuity, dramatic motivation of talent, and the various narrative models and structures of a scripted film production. Paths to careers, freelance work, and professional life will also be explored.  
• CINE 348 -- Acting for Filmmakers (3 units)
  • Practical workshop that puts crew members in front of the camera, emphasizing performers’ methods, listening to direction, empathy, professionalism, and teamwork. 
• CINE 385 -- Collaborative Script Development (3 units) 
  • Working in teams of three (writer, director, producer), students develop and write a short script for an advanced narrative production.  
• CINE 422 -- Production Workshop II (3 units) 
  • This practical course focuses on collaborative team filmmaking, utilizing industry best practices for pre-production and production to create original short films.  
• CINE 424 -- Production Workshop III (3 units) 
  • Practical and creative group production and post-production of original short films. Builds on work from Production Workshop II.

Learn the creative, aesthetic, and technical principles of editing, sound, and visual effects for films with the opportunity to obtain professional industry credentials. 

Take 21 units from the following courses:

• CINE 307 -- Production Sound (3 units) 
  • A creative and technical introduction to recording and managing audio for media productions. Microphones, audio recorders and other professional audio equipment are introduced and utilized as students learn how audio is properly captured during various production situations.
• CINE 320 -- Post-Production Sound (3 units) 
  • A creative and technical introduction to sound editing, design and mixing. Students will learn the intricacies of Pro Tools, sound effects creation techniques, Foley Artistry, ADR recording and Re-Recording Mixing.
• CINE 322 -- Experimental Filmmaking (3 units) 
  • Workshop in production of experimental films. Working as a group, students develop and exhibit creative works.
• CINE 337 -- Digital Arts Production (3 units)  
  • Techniques and concepts involved in production of visual effects, computer animation, and interactive media. Through screenings, field trips and hands-on production, students explore art and science of digital graphics, 2D-compositing, and 3D-animation. Culminates in development of digital elements for student production.
• CINE 344 -- Directing I (3 units) 
  • The art and discipline of storytelling through the directing process, including script interpretation, casting, rehearsal, blocking, scene coverage, camera placement, and directing visuals and actors in relation to short film productions.
• CINE 347 -- Introduction to Visual Effects (3 units)  
  • An introduction to the techniques and concepts involved in creating computer generated visual effects. Basic compositing concepts including matte painting, tracking, keying, roto, and simple animation in order to enhance live action film with both photoreal and stylized imagery are covered. 
• CINE 360 -- Independent Media Production (3 units) 
  • Introduction to the creative and managerial requirements of an independent production company that creates client-based media. 
• CINE 374 -- Editing Documentary (3 units)  
  • Explores intermediate theory, craft, and workflows using Adobe Premiere Pro. Each student will edit four complete short nonfiction projects. At the end of the semester, students can take the Adobe Premiere Pro Certification Exam.  
• CINE 416 -- Editing II (3 units)  
  • Technical, aesthetic, practical and creative considerations of editing compelling stories for media productions.
• CINE 417 -- Editing III (3 units) 
  • Advanced theoretical, practical, technical and creative considerations working as an editor and assistant editor.
• CINE 418 -- Color Correction (3 units)  
  • Introduction to the art and science of digital color correction. Students develop aesthetic and technical skills to grade short films as a colorist.
• CINE 420 -- Advanced Audio (3 units)  
  • This course is intended for students who are seriously considering a potential career in audio. Advanced creative and technical post-production sound techniques are reviewed including mixing music, advanced dialogue clean-up and Re-Recording Mixing in 5.1 surround sound. 
• CINE 424 -- Production Workshop III (3 units) 
  • Practical and creative group production and post-production of original short films. Builds on work from Production Workshop II.
• CINE 437 -- Introduction to 3D Visual Effects (3 units) 
  • Techniques and concepts in the production of 3D computer animation for short and feature length productions, visual effects and games.