Information and Policies
Introduction
Students in the general film and digital media major develop an understanding of major movements in world cinema and different aesthetic approaches to the medium, while studying the cultural impact of television and the rise of video and digital art in recent decades.
The critical studies concentration is designed for film and digital media majors who have a special aptitude for and interest in the history and theory of film, television, video, and digital media. This rigorous program can help prepare undergraduates for graduate work in critical studies.
The integrated critical practice concentration is designed for film and digital media majors who have a special aptitude for and interest in combining work in critical studies and production. The concentration provides them with a more rigorous pathway through the major and, in their senior year, allows them to work on a senior project that integrates creative and intellectual work.
Students in all facets of the major acquire skills in media analysis while maintaining a broadly based, liberal arts perspective.
Students enrolled in film and digital media production classes have access to audio, video, and digital production and postproduction equipment. Facilities include a digital media lab; stop-motion animation lab audio recording studio; sound stage with green screen; digital nonlinear editing rooms; video format conversion rooms; a computerized sound effects library; and student equipment checkout. Additionally, computer laboratories equipped for digital image manipulation, web authoring, and interactive interface design and viewing rooms are available. The critical studies facilities include classrooms equipped for high-end film, video, and data projection. The library holdings in film and video history, theory, and literature are complemented by a large collection of films, videos, laser disks, and DVDs, including a diverse range of international feature films, experimental film and video work, animation, silent films, and documentaries.
Some courses offered by the Film and Digital Media Department are restricted in enrollment; admission is based on completion of prerequisites and other specific written application requirements.
Upper-division digital media and production studio courses require coursework to be completed on computers. Instruction in and software for production courses utilizes the macOS platform and primarily consists of Apple and Adobe video production software packages. Many UCSC students purchase laptop computers. Film and digital media students who are considering purchasing a laptop computer for production work are encouraged to consult with the department’s operations staff. A list of recommended computer configurations and information regarding education pricing on software packages is available on the Film and Digital Media website.
Academic Advising for the Program
Students seeking advice regarding the major may email fdmadvising@ucsc.edu or call the department’s main line at (831) 459-3204. Transfer students please also see the sections below regarding Transfer Information and Policy, Transfer Admission Screening Policy and Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student.
Getting Started in the Major
Though no preparatory classes are required to be successful in the major, prospective students may opt to study introductory film analysis and production courses to become familiar with film and media concepts and techniques.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who earn a B.A. in film and digital media will gain the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will enable them to:
- Demonstrate their ability to employ research skills, including the use of appropriate print and technology sources in the discipline, to construct effective arguments.
- Demonstrate that they understand the pre-production, production, and postproduction digital media and filmmaking process.
- Demonstrate the relationship between different types of form and meaning through the creation of film and digital media projects or the critical analysis of them.
- Demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively to produce a film or digital media project.
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of film and media history internationally.
- Demonstrate scholarly writing skills appropriate to the discipline of film and digital media.
- Demonstrate an ability to analyze, interpret, and critique films and media from a variety of theoretical perspectives using the critical vocabulary and methodologies of the discipline.
- Demonstrate their ability to articulate and defend their research and practice in a critical environment.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
Declaration of the Film and Digital Media Major
Prior to declaring the film and digital media major, students must pass FILM 20A and either FILM 20B or FILM 20C with a grade of C or better. Students may choose to take FILM 20P to fulfill the third lower-division requirement but this course does not count toward declaring the major.
Students who are approaching the campus declaration deadline and have not passed FILM 20A and either FILM 20B or FILM 20C, or their transfer equivalents , may petition to declare the major: they will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g., completion of some courses with certain grades) to be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter.
Acceptance into the film and digital media major does not constitute acceptance into any of the concentrations (critical studies or integrated critical practice). Transfer students should also consult the Transfer and Information Policy section for instructions about declaring the major.
Appeal Process
Students may appeal a negative decision within 15 days by submitting an appeal letter to the Film and Digital Media undergraduate advisor. The department will notify the student of the outcome within 15 days of receipt of the appeal.
How to Declare a Major
All students are required to attend a declaration of major workshop in order to officially declare the major. Declaration workshops are offered each quarter before the deadline to declare and are posted on the department’s website. Please contact fdmadvising@ucsc.edu with questions.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students planning to apply in this major are not required to complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz. Prospective transfer students entering at the junior level are encouraged to complete FILM 20A through UCSC Summer Session prior to their transfer, especially if they will be pursuing one of the concentrations available. Transfer students should be able to complete the general major within two years.
Students who have not fulfilled their general education requirements prior to transferring and pursue one of the film and digital media concentrations, a double major or minor, or study abroad may need additional time to complete their requirements.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
All transfer students must enroll in at least one lower-division major course (FILM 20A, FILM 20B, or FILM 20C) during their first quarter in residence. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to enroll in FILM 20A during the Summer Session preceding their first quarter in residence. At least one course out of FILM 20A, FILM 20B, or FILM 20C must be taken at UCSC. Transfer students who wish to have equivalent lower-division courses count toward their film and digital media major requirements must petition the department unless the courses are articulated at assist.org.
Letter Grade Policy
Students pursuing this major must take the courses required to declare, FILM 20A, FILM 20B and/or FILM 20C for a letter grade.
Course Substitution Policy
The department allows up to two courses to substitute for major requirements. At least one course out of FILM 20A, FILM 20B, or FILM 20C must be taken at UCSC.
Study Abroad
The department strongly encourages students to explore studying abroad while attending UCSC. We allow up to two courses from abroad to substitute for major requirements. See Course Substitution Policy above for details. An exception is allowed for students who are in the Sussex Exchange Program which allows up to three course substitutions if approved by our faculty. The department also offers a direct exchange program with the University of Bergen in Norway.
Honors
Honors in film and digital media are awarded to graduating seniors whose academic performance in their major coursework is judged by a faculty committee to be consistently excellent to outstanding. Students must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the major to be considered for Honors.
Three Year Pathway
The Film and Digital Media Department has a three-year pathway designed for students who want to complete their Film and Digital Media B.A. in three years. It is an intensive program which includes all of the courses for the current film and digital media general major as well as all general education requirements and electives required for the university. Students may complete all courses required for the general major only. No concentration options are available for this pathway, though the general major does allow students to take up to two production courses. Students should begin this pathway in their frosh year to be able to complete the required courses in three years. A sample planner can be found on the university advising website. For more information, contact the undergraduate advisor.
General Film and Digital Media Major
The general film and digital media major requires three lower-division and nine upper-division courses in residence and satisfaction of the senior comprehensive requirement. Students must include among these 13 courses at least one upper-division, 5-credit course that focuses on diversity (i.e., non-Western perspectives; races/ethnicities, genders, classes, sexualities or abilities). A list of courses satisfying the department’s diversity requirement is available at the department office. Students in the general film and digital media major may apply for admission to the critical studies concentration (see Critical Studies Concentration below), or the more rigorous integrated critical practice concentration (see Integrated Critical Practice Concentration below) within the major.
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Two additional 20-level courses:
| FILM 20B | Introduction to Television Studies | 5 |
| FILM 20C | Introduction to Digital Media | 5 |
| FILM 20P | Introduction to Production Technique | 5 |
FILM 20P cannot be used toward declaring the major
Upper-Division Courses
Core Curriculum
Students in the general major complete the following required upper-division core curriculum:
One course from each of the following three groups:
Group 1:
Group 2:
Group 3:
Plus one course from the following to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement:
Electives
Five upper-division elective courses are to be chosen from the following:
- up to five additional upper-division critical studies courses in film and digital media (see Electives for the Integrated Critical Practice Concentration for a list of upper-division critical studies courses)
- up to two upper-division courses in film and digital media production (see Integrated Critical Practice Concentration for a list of upper-division production courses)
- up to two upper-division courses offered by other departments or another institution; course substitutions must be pre-approved by the Film and Digital Media Department
- at least one course must focus on diversity, i.e. non-Western perspectives; races/ethnicities, genders, classes, sexualities, or abilities. See list below.
Courses that Satisfy the Diversity Requirement
Students may submit a petition to the department to have other courses reviewed to satisfy the diversity requirement. Please send course syllabi to fdmadvising@ucsc.edu for review.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Film and digital media majors receive detailed information and guidance about the major's DC requirement from the department's undergraduate advisor.
The DC requirement is met by passing one course from each of the two following categories:
First Category
Second category:
Comprehensive Requirement
Senior Seminar
Seniors in the general film and digital media major satisfy the comprehensive requirement with a senior seminar (courses in the FILM 194 series).
Planners
Plan One is a guideline for students committed to the major early in their academic career and interested in pursuing a concentration; Plan Two is a guideline for students considering the major after their freshman year.
Students who are interested in the critical studies concentration, or the integrated critical practice concentration should consider Plan One to be better prepared for the application process to the concentrations. However, four-year students following Plan Two may also be able to pursue a concentration and still meet their expected graduation term.
Plan One
| Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| 1st (frosh) |
FILM 20A |
FILM lower-division requirement |
FILM lower-division requirement |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 2nd (soph) |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM 120 |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 3rd (jr) |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
| FILM upper-division elective |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 4th (sr) |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM 194 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Plan Two
| Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| 1st (frosh) |
FILM 80A or FILM 80M |
FILM lower-division requirement |
FILM lower-division requirement |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 2nd (soph) |
FILM 20A |
FILM 120 |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 3rd (jr) |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM upper-division elective |
| FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
|
| |
|
|
| 4th (sr) |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM 194 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Two-Year Transfer Planner
| Year |
Fall* |
Winter** |
Spring |
|
3rd (jr)
|
FILM 20A |
FILM lower-division
requirement
|
FILM lower-division
requirement
|
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM 120 |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
| |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
|
| 4th (sr) |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
| FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM 194 |
| |
|
|
*Students who completed FILM 20A in UCSC Summer Session or have an approved substitution will be given enrollment priority for an additional upper-division elective.
**The following general education requirements can be satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses: IM, ER, CC, PE-T, PR-E, PR-C, DC. General education requirements not satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses are: MF, SI, SR, TA, C
Critical Studies Concentration
The critical studies concentration provides a more rigorous pathway than the general major and offers classes specifically reserved for seniors who have exceptional abilities. Students are eligible to apply for the critical studies concentration in spring quarter of their junior year, provided they have completed or are currently enrolled in FILM 120 and at least three other upper-division critical studies classes. Applicants must already be declared film and digital media majors in good academic standing.
Students will be asked to submit the following application materials:
- a completed application form
- a one-page statement of purpose
- a sample essay
- a Film and Digital Media (FDM) faculty statement of support (submitted directly to the department)
Application materials and instructions are available at the Film and Digital Media Department office. Applications are reviewed by a committee of film and digital media critical studies faculty. Admission to the critical studies concentration will be granted to students who have excellent grades in film and digital media courses, an outstanding writing sample, a clear statement of purpose, and a strong FDM faculty endorsement. Students may reapply a second time if not accepted, but not later than the first quarter of their senior year. Students accepted in the fall quarter of their senior year are not eligible to propose a student-directed seminar as part of their senior comprehensive requirement.
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Two additional 20-level courses:
| FILM 20B | Introduction to Television Studies | 5 |
| FILM 20C | Introduction to Digital Media | 5 |
| FILM 20P | Introduction to Production Technique | 5 |
FILM 20P cannot be used toward declaring the major
Upper-Division Courses
Core Curriculum
Students in the critical studies concentration complete the following required upper-division core curriculum:
One course from each of the following five groups:
Group 1:
Group 2:
Group 3:
Group 4:
Group 5:
| FILM 187 | Advanced Topics in Television Studies | 5 |
| FILM 189 | Advanced Topics in Digital and Electronic Media Studies | 5 |
And three courses to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement:
One course from the following:
Plus the following course:
FILM 199 supervised independent study for thesis or student-directed seminar preparation
Plus one of the following courses:
Electives
Two upper-division elective courses are to be chosen from the following:
- up to two additional upper-division critical studies courses in film and digital media (see Electives for the Integrated Critical Practice Concentration for a list of upper-division critical studies courses)
- up to one upper-division course in film and digital media production (see the Integrated Critical Practice Concentration for a list of upper-division production courses)
- up to one upper-division course offered by other departments; course substitutions must be pre-approved by the Film and Digital Media Department
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Film and digital media majors receive detailed information and guidance about the major's DC requirement from the department's undergraduate advisor.
The DC requirement is met by passing one course from each of the two following categories:
First category
Second category
Comprehensive Requirement
Seniors in the critical studies concentration must complete the following to satisfy the campus exit requirement:
Choose one of the following courses
Plus the following course
Plus one of the following courses
Planners
The following is a sample academic plan for students pursuing the critical studies concentration for the film and digital media major.
Plan One
Two Year Transfer Planner
*Students who completed FILM 20A in UCSC Summer Session or have an approved substitution will be given enrollment priority for an additional upper-division elective.
**The following general education requirements can be satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses: IM, ER, CC, PE-T, PR-E, PR-C, DC. General education requirements not satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses are: MF, SI, SR, TA, C
Integrated Critical Practice Concentration
The integrated critical practice concentration (ICPC) provides a more rigorous pathway than the general major and offers classes specifically reserved for seniors with exceptional abilities in both critical studies and production who seek to combine creative and scholarly work. Students are eligible to apply for the integrated critical practice concentration in the last quarter of their junior year, provided they have completed or are currently enrolled in FILM 120; at least three other upper-division critical studies classes; and have completed FILM 170A or FILM 170B plus one other course from the 150 or 170 series. Applicants must already be declared film and digital media majors in good academic standing.
Students will be asked to submit the following application materials:
- a completed application form
- a one-page statement of purpose
- a sample essay
- a FDM faculty statement of support (submitted directly to the department)
Application materials and instructions are available at the Film and Digital Media Department office. Student application materials are reviewed by a committee of film and digital media faculty. Admission to the integrated critical practice concentration will be granted to students who have excellent grades in film and digital media courses, an outstanding writing sample, a clear statement of purpose outlining a senior project that integrates critical studies and production work, and a strong FDM faculty endorsement. Students may apply a second time if not accepted, but not later than the first quarter of their senior year.
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Two additional 20-level courses
| FILM 20B | Introduction to Television Studies | 5 |
| FILM 20C | Introduction to Digital Media | 5 |
| FILM 20P | Introduction to Production Technique | 5 |
FILM 20P cannot be used toward declaring the major
Upper-Division Courses
Students in the integrated critical practice concentration complete the following required upper-division core curriculum:
One course from each of the following five groups
Group 1:
Group 2:
Group 3:
Group 4:
| FILM 170A | Fundamentals of Digital Media Production | 5 |
| FILM 170B | Fundamentals of Film and Video Production | 5 |
Group 5:
Two courses to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement:
The following course:
Plus one of the following courses:
Electives
Five upper-division elective courses to be chosen from the following:
Two upper-division critical studies courses
In film and digital media chosen from the following:
Three upper-division production courses
In film and digital media chosen from the following:
Graduate seminars, taken with permission of the faculty advisor, may substitute for one of the electives.
A maximum of two electives may be taken in another department or another institution if pre-approved by the Film and Digital Media Department.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Film and digital media majors receive detailed information and guidance about the major's DC requirement from the department's undergraduate advisor.
The DC requirement is met by passing one course from each of the two following categories:
First category
Second category
Comprehensive Requirement
One of the following courses
Seniors in the integrated critical practice concentration must complete one of the following courses:
Plus the following course
Planners
The following are two recommended academic plans for students pursuing the integrated critical practice concentration for the film and digital media major. Plan One is a guideline for students committed to the major early in their academic career; Plan Two is for students considering the major.
Students who are interested in the integrated critical practice concentration should consider Plan One to be better prepared for application to production studio classes in their junior year. However, four-year students following Plan Two should be able to pursue a concentration and still meet their expected graduation term. FILM 20A is not guaranteed to any incoming frosh and most four-year students will use Plan Two as a guideline.
Plan One
| Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| 1st (frosh) |
FILM 20A |
FILM lower-division requirement |
FILM lower-division requirement |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 2nd (soph) |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM 120 |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
| |
|
FILM upper-division elective |
| |
|
|
| 3rd (jr) |
FILM 170A or
FILM 170B |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM upper-division elective |
| |
|
FILM upper-division production |
| |
|
|
| 4th (sr) |
FILM upper-division production |
FILM 199 |
FILM 195 or
FILM 196 or
FILM 197 |
| FILM 194 |
FILM upper-division production |
|
| |
|
|
Plan Two
| Year |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| 1st (frosh) |
FILM 80A or FILM 80M |
FILM lower-division requirement |
FILM lower-division requirement |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 2nd (soph) |
FILM 20A |
FILM 120 |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
| |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM upper-division elective |
| |
|
|
| 3rd (jr) |
FILM 170A or
FILM 170B |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM upper-division elective |
| |
|
FILM upper-division production |
| |
|
|
| 4th (sr) |
FILM upper-division production |
FILM upper-division production |
FILM 195/
FILM 196/
FILM 197 |
| FILM 194 |
FILM 199 |
|
| |
|
|
Two-Year Transfer Planner
| Year |
Fall* |
Winter** |
Spring |
| 3rd (junior) |
FILM 20A |
FILM lower-division requirement |
FILM lower-division requirement |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM 120 |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
| |
FILM 170A or
FILM 170B |
FILM upper-division production |
| 4th (senior) |
FILM 130/
FILM 132/
FILM 134/
FILM 136 |
FILM upper-division elective |
FILM upper-division elective |
| FILM upper-division production |
FILM upper-division production |
FILM 195/
FILM 196/
FILM 197 |
| FILM 194 |
FILM 199 |
|
*Students who completed FILM 20A in UCSC Summer Session or have an approved substitution will be given enrollment priority for an additional upper-division elective.
**The following general education requirements can be satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses: IM, ER, CC, PE-T, PR-E, PR-C, DC. General education requirements not satisfied with Film and Digital Media courses are: MF, SI, SR, TA, C