Theater, Film, and Media Studies
View Theater, Film, and Media Studies Department website
The field of theater, film, and media combines studies in history, theory, and critical analysis with practical experiences in production techniques and creativity. Its scope includes diverse representations in dynamic time and space, whether on stage or screen. Among its shared subjects are visual culture, performance studies, and techniques for directing, designing, writing, and performing for stage and screen media. Because visual culture plays an ever-increasing role in the production, distribution, and reception of knowledge, studies in theater, film, and media are integral to an undergraduate curriculum in the liberal arts.
Students may focus their studies in theater or in film and media. Both focuses are fundamentally collaborative and multidisciplinary; they thrive in a liberal arts context that promotes breadth and integration of learning. Majors will complete a core of regularly offered courses that exemplifies the diversity of subjects and cultures entailed in this field. The two focuses, theater studies and film and media studies, share some courses that are fundamental to both curricula, but each focus includes opportunities for advanced work in specialized areas of scholarship and artistry. Above all, majors will benefit from an array of course work that emphasizes the reciprocal enrichments of combining scholarship and creative activity. Visiting guests and special topics or experimental courses supplement the regular curriculum.
The curriculum in theater, film, and media studies encourages students to interrogate representations on stage and screen toward an understanding of their historical, cultural, and artistic significance. Additionally, we provide opportunities for students to produce their own works and to collaborate on projects with faculty members and other students. Majors will be prepared to undertake graduate work in related disciplines or careers in related professions.
The department offers minors in theater studies, film and media studies, and dance/movement. Students interested in fulfilling a minor in any of these areas should consult with a faculty member in TFMS. Students may combine a major in either TFMS focus area with a minor in any other TFMS minor area.
Production Opportunities
The Department of Theater, Film, and Media Studies supplies the resources for a diverse range of production work on stage and screen. Live performance opportunities include stage productions and dance concerts directed by faculty members, guest artists, and students, performed in a variety of spaces, including the Bruce Davis Theater (main stage), the dance studio, and the White Room. Performance roles, design, and technical positions are open to all students, regardless of their majors. Theater production seasons are formulated to maximize opportunities for working on or attending productions that represent the diversity of theatrical activities across cultures and history.
TFMS resources in media production provide students with access to a variety of video production and post-production technology. Production classes and St. Mary’s Projects have access to Canon GL-2 Mini-DV cameras, Smith-Victor lighting kits, and Audio-Technica microphones, along with supporting production equipment. Post-production equipment in the Montgomery Hall Pro-lab includes 10 22” Intel iMacs w/Mac OS 10.5, Adobe CS3 Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks), Maya 2008 Complete, Quicktime Pro, and Final Cut Studio (Final Cut, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack, Compressor) with dedicated JVC SR-DVM600 3-in-1 MiniDV, 40GB hard disk drive, and DVD player/recorder combo decks. The adjacent Montgomery Hall Learning Lab is equipped with 20 17” Intel iMacs w/Mac OS 10.5, Adobe CS3 Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks), ProTools LE, and several flatbed scanners. Students also have access to a smaller, two-station TFMS editing room that includes two G-5 editing stations w/Mac OS 10.5 and Final Cut Studio (Final Cut, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack, Compressor). TFMS editing lab work stations also include dedicated Mini-DV decks and NTSC output monitors. Additional training and production opportunities are also available at Media Services on the third floor of the College library.
Detailed, regularly updated information about our theater and arts seasons and about production opportunities is available on the department website.
Learning Outcomes
- Draw upon a full range of knowledge and skills in theater, film, and media scholarship and practice
- Create and/or appreciate innovative and quality works of theater, performance, film, and media based on historical knowledge and diverse cultural experiences
- Analyze and interpret film, media, scripts, and performance events with special attention to the skills involved in research, performance, directing, design, and dramaturgy
- Communicate effectively with audiences through at least one of the components of representational or visual arts (acting, directing, designing, scriptwriting, filmmaking, dance, etc.)
- Realize the rewards of being socially engaged scholars, artists, and audiences
- Pursue graduate study or careers in their chosen field and lifelong achievement as global citizens and creative, critical thinkers
Degree Requirements for the Major - Theater Studies Focus
General College Requirements
General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:
A minimum of 48 credit hours of course work, with a grade of C- or above.
Required Courses
- TFMS 170: Stagecraft
- TFMS 171: Elements of Design
- TFMS 200: Theater in History
- TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies or TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
- TFMS 230: Acting I
- TFMS 250: Movement I
- TFMS 300: Modern Theater
- TFMS 371: Production Lab (one credit hour): Majors must complete a minimum of four credit-hours
One course chosen from:
- TFMS 251: Introduction to Traditional African Dance
- TFMS 255: Modern Dance I
- TFMS 258: Dance in History
- TFMS 260: Topics in Dance/Movement
- TFMS 350: Movement II
- TFMS 355: Modern Dance II
- TFMS 360: Dance Improvisation and Composition
- TFMS 460: Advanced Topics in Dance/Movement
One course chosen from:
- TFMS 310: Shakespeare
- TFMS 315: Japanese Film
- TFMS 325: Documentary Practices
- TFMS 326: World Cinema
- TFMS 420: Mediated Bodies: Gender, Race, and Class on Stage and Screen
- Any topics or experimental course numbered 300 or higher and cross-listed in TFMS
One course chosen from:
- TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
- TFMS 374: Lighting Design
- TFMS 375: Costume Design for Stage and Screen
- TFMS 376: Scenic Design for Stage and Screen
Senior Experience
This requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways:
- Four additional credit hours of course work taken from the 400-level course offerings in theater, film, and media studies, including any approved topics or experimental courses cross-listed in TFMS; or
- TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project: With the approval of the department chair, this requirement may be satisfied by completing eight credit hours of the St. Mary’s Project in any discipline or cross-disciplinary minor.
Satisfactory Work Theater Productions
Satisfactory work on at least three major theater productions in a position of responsibility including participation on at least one run crew. Theater studies majors must enroll in TFMS 370: Studio (zero credit) at least three times in order to satisfy this requirement.
Degree Requirements for the Major - Film and Media Studies Focus
General College Requirements
General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major:
A minimum of 48 credit hours of course work, with a grade of C- or above.
Required Courses
- TFMS 130: Idea into Performance
- TFMS 200: Theater in History or TFMS 300: Modern Theater
- TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
- TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
- TFMS 228: Media Production I
- TFMS 320: Film History
Two courses chosen from:
- ASIA 305: Chinese Cinema
- HIST 380: History of Russian and Soviet Cinema
- ILAS 350: Latin American Cinema
- POSC 373: Politics and Film in the Third World
- TFMS 315: Japanese Film
- TFMS 326: World Cinema
- TFMS 420: Mediated Bodies: Gender, Race, and Class on Stage and Screen
- Any topics or experimental course numbered 300 or higher and cross-listed in TFMS
Two courses chosen from:
- ART 212: Introduction to Photography
- ART 214: Introduction to Digital Media Art
- TFMS 171: Elements of Design
- TFMS 230: Acting I or TFMS 234: Acting for the Camera
- TFMS 328: Media Production II
- TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
- TFMS 346: Screenwriting
- TFMS 374: Lighting Design
- TFMS 375: Costume Design for Stage and Screen
- TFMS 376: Scenic Design for Stage and Screen
One course chosen from:
- ARTH 316: Modern Art, 1850-1970
- ARTH 317: Contemporary Art, 1970 to Present
- TFMS 325: Documentary Practices
- TFMS 422: Horror Film: Of Monsters and Monstrosities
- TFMS 425: Advanced Topics in Film and Media
Senior Experience
This requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways:
- Four additional credit hours of coursework taken from the 400-level course offerings in theater, film, and media studies, including any approved topics or experimental courses cross-listed in TFMS; or
- TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project: With the approval of the department chair, this requirement may be satisfied by completing eight credit hours of the St. Mary’s Project in any discipline or cross-disciplinary study minor.
Satisfactory Work Theater Productions
Satisfactory work on at least one major theater production in a position of responsibility. Film and media studies majors must complete TFMS 370: Studio (zero credit) at least once in order to satisfy this requirement.
Degree Requirements for the Minor in Dance/Movement
Students choosing to minor in dance/movement are responsible for designing a cohesive area of study in consultation with a member of the department faculty. The minor in dance/movement is 20 credit hours. Each course is four credit-hours, unless otherwise indicated. Students must fulfill the following requirements:
Two courses chosen from the following:
- TFMS 250: Movement I
- TFMS 255: Modern Dance I
- TFMS 258: Dance in History
Additional 12 Credit Hours
An additional 12 credit hours chosen from the following course offerings in dance/movement. Four credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students may include a maximum of four credit hours of TFMS 290/490: Practicum.
- TFMS 230: Acting I
- TFMS 250: Movement I
- TFMS 251: Introduction to Traditional African Dance
- TFMS 255: Modern Dance I
- TFMS 258: Dance in History
- TFMS 260: Topics in Dance/Movement
- TFMS 290: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
- TFMS 350: Movement II
- TFMS 355: Modern Dance II
- TFMS 360: Dance Improvisation and Composition
- TFMS 460: Advanced Topics in Dance/Movement
- TFMS 490: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
- TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (a dance/movement-related project)
Degree Requirements for the Minor in Film and Media Studies
Students choosing to minor in film and media studies are responsible for designing a cohesive area of study in consultation with a member of the department faculty. The minor in film and media studies is 20 credit hours. Each course is four credit hours, unless otherwise indicated. Students must fulfill the following requirements:
Required Courses:
- TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies or TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
- TFMS 320: Film History or TFMS 326: World Cinema
Additional 12 Credit Hours
An additional 12 credit hours chosen from the following course offerings in the film and media studies focus area. Four credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students may include a maximum of four credit hours of TFMS 290/490: Practicum.
- TFMS 171: Elements of Design
- TFMS 234: Acting for the Camera
- TFMS 220: Introduction to Film and Media Studies
- TFMS 221: Film and Media Production Modes
- TFMS 228: Media Production I
- TFMS 290: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
- TFMS 315: Japanese Film
- TFMS 320: Film History
- TFMS 325: Documentary Practices
- TFMS 326: World Cinema
- TFMS 328: Media Production II
- TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
- TFMS 346: Screenwriting
- TFMS 374: Lighting Design
- TFMS 375: Costume Design for Stage and Screen
- TFMS 376: Scenic Design for Stage and Screen
- TFMS 420: Mediated Bodies: Gender, Race, and Class on Stage and Screen
- TFMS 422: Horror Film: Of Monsters and Monstrosities
- TFMS 425: Advanced Topics in Film and Media
- TFMS 490: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
- TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (a filmmaking- or film studies-related project)
- ART 212: Introduction to Photography
- ART 214: Introduction to Digital Media Art
- ARTH 316: Modern Art, 1850-1970
- ARTH 317: Contemporary Art, 1970 to Present
- ASIA 305: Chinese Cinema
- HIST 380: History of Russian and Soviet Cinema
- ILAS 350: Latin American Cinema
- POSC 373: Politics and Film in the Third World
Degree Requirements for the Minor in Theater Studies
Students choosing to minor in theater studies are responsible for designing a cohesive area of study in consultation with a member of the department faculty. The minor in theater studies is 20 credit hours. Each course is four credit hours, unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses:
- TFMS 130: Idea into Performance
- TFMS 200: Theater in History or TFMS 300: Modern Theater
Additional 12 Credit Hours
An additional 12 credit hours chosen from the following course offerings in the theater studies focus area. Four credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students may include a maximum of four credit hours of TFMS 290/490: Practicum.
- TFMS 170: Stagecraft
- TFMS 171: Elements of Design
- TFMS 200: Theater in History
- TFMS 230: Acting I
- TFMS 250: Movement I
- TFMS 258: Dance in History
- TFMS 290: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
- TFMS 300: Modern Theater
- TFMS 310: Shakespeare
- TFMS 340: Directing for the Stage
- TFMS 350: Movement II
- TFMS 360: Dance Improvisation and Composition
- TFMS 374: Lighting Design
- TFMS 375: Costume Design for Stage and Screen
- TFMS 376: Scenic Design for Stage and Screen
- TFMS 490: Practicum (1-2 credit hours)
- TFMS 493/494: St. Mary’s Project (a theater studies- or production-related project)
Faculty
Holly A. Blumner, Mandolynn Browning, Daniel Bear Davis, Michael Ellis-Tolaydo (emeritus), David Ellsworth (department chair), David V. Groupé, Mark A. Rhoda, Amy Steiger, Merideth M. Taylor (emerita)