Coursework Requirements and Timetable To Degree

The program is designed to provide in depth knowledge of the field of film and media while allowing students to develop and design interdisciplinary research by taking coursework and attending events in other programs across the humanities and social sciences.

Students are required to take eight required Screen Cultures courses as part of their overall number of coursework units designated by the Graduate School. In addition to these 8 units, students may take PhD courses (with permission of instructor) offered by participating faculty in other departments. With permission of the steering committee, students may take courses by non-participating faculty. Students coming in with a BA only may be advised to take up to three undergraduate RTVF courses, depending on levels of preparedness. Students are expected to spend the summers (on stipend) working with, or under the supervision of, one or more faculty members to pursue research and/or directed reading.

Core 400 level graduate seminars are offered every year. In addition to core seminars, research seminars in RTVF on more specific topics vary throughout the year, and students enroll in graduate seminars held by participating faculty. Students are also expected to participate in Screen Cultures colloquia and events.

Required Core Courses

4 out of 6 are required at the 400 level (we recommend all six) to be taken anytime during coursework, with consent of instructor.

Additional Required Graduate Seminars in Screen Cultures

Recommended: RTVF 475: Graduate Production

All other coursework is elected by the student in accordance with screen cultures policy (above).

Exams

Master’s Exam: While the goal of our doctoral program is the awarding of a PhD degree, students who enter with a BA only will be expected to take a qualifying exam in the last quarter of the first year of coursework. Students may continue toward the PhD if they pass the exam and maintain at least an overall "B" average.

PhD Exam: To advance to candidacy for the PhD, students will take a qualifying exam given at the end of their coursework in the second year of the PhD. (In consultation with the advisor, students can choose to take the exam either in June or September). The qualifying exam is a take home, open book exam taken over three days. It covers three fields of expertise. During the second year of coursework, the student prepares bibliographical sources he or she will be responsible for on the exam as well as a dissertation prospectus. Each committee member will ask a question (or a choice of 2 questions) based on the reading lists compiled by the students. The students will work with one chair and two other faculty members on the reading lists, and will convene with all three members for an oral defense of the exam questions and the dissertation prospectus.

Dissertation: The Main activity after passing the Phd exam is research and writing for the Dissertation.

Professional Experience and Teaching: Students normally work as teaching and research assistants during the course of their graduate education.