Major Requirements

A minimum of 13 c.u. of classes focusing primarily on Cinema and Media.

To declare your major in Cinema and Media Studies, please contact Mr. Nicola M. Gentili, Associate Director.

CORE REQUIREMENTS - 3 CU
We do not accept transfer credit for these three courses.

  • CIMS 1010 - World Film History to 1945
  • CIMS 1020 - World Film History, 1945-present
  • CIMS 1030 - Television and New Media

ELECTIVES - 10 CU
Minimum of 3 must be on non-American Cinema.
Maximum of 3 may be courses on the production and craft of cinema (e.g. screenwriting, digital video production, cinema production, et similar.)

HONORS OPTION
We offer an optional, year-long honors thesis for students GPA of 3.5 or higher, plus a grad of A- or above for the senior thesis.

TRANSFER CREDIT POLICY
For Transfer Credit (courses courses taken before matriculation at Penn), Study Abroad Credit (courses taken at a Penn Abroad program), and Credit Away (courses taken outside of a Penn-approved program after matriculation at Penn) students must secure approval through the XCAT system. Transfer credit will not be accepted for CIMS 1010, CIMS 1020, and CIMS 1030. All majors must complete these 3 courses at Penn.

INDEPENDENT STUDY POLICY
In exceptional circumstances, students may request that an independent study be counted toward the major, but such studies must first be approved by the program director prior to the commencement of the independent study. Students wishing to undertake an independent study must submit a proposal to both the project advisor and the program director outlining the nature of the study and why an independent study is necessary. Independent study advisors must hold a Ph.D.