Major Mondays: Cinema and Media Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies in the Dornsife College is a critical studies degree program which dives deep into the aesthetics, technology, themes, and industry influences that serve as the building blocks of cinema, from the birth of films to present day blockbusters. Cinema and Media Studies students take a wide variety of classes ranging from film theory to film production classes.
Faculty Highlight: Dr. Vicki Callahan, PhD is a professor of Practice at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in the Cinema and Media Studies Division. Professor Callahan is best known for teaching CTCS 200, a core Cinema Studies class that goes over pre-World War II international cinema. Her research and work currently revolve around the works and life of silent film actress Mabel Normand as well as her documentary project, The Lowcountry, which examines issues of racial injustice in South Carolina.
Research Opportunities: Many Cinema and Media Studies students use their keen eye for the world of cinema to help with the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. This initiative is put on by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, but is open to students in any major across the university. This research opportunity pays students to examine different films and TV shows from the current year to examine the inclusion of different identity groups ranging from members of certain racial groups to disabled representation. At the end of the year, the data from all students involved is compiled and published! Much of the Cinema Studies curriculum revolves around analyzing and closely watching films in this way and makes it very easy to put those skills to use with research in the Annenberg Inclusion initiative.
Unique Academic Opportunities: Easily one of the most interesting classes I’ve taken within the Cinema and Media Studies department has been CTCS 464: Asian Horror with Professor Lan Duong. This class is part of a series of requirements called “Genre Classes” where students spend a whole semester studying a single genre or element of film or television. In Asian Horror, Professor Duong spends each class going over a horror film from a certain part of East Asia and the different filmmaking, sound design, and cinematography techniques that go into making a solid horror film. So far, my favorite film has been a Thai horror film by Apichatpong Weerasethakul called Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.
Application: In addition to the Common Application, a SlideRoom portfolio is required to be considered for Cinema and Media Studies whether you have listed it as a first- or second-choice major. The application deadline for first-year students is December 1. Transfer applicants have until February 15 to apply.
Written by: Brandon Arana, USC Student Ambassador