Honors Tutorial College Curriculum

What makes Honors Tutorial different

The Honors Tutorial Program in Film combines a broad background in the liberal arts with professional study in film offered by faculty of the internationally recognized graduate program in the School of Film. This is a four-year program of study for exceptional students culminating in a thesis leading to the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts. This program is vigorous and comprehensive and is designed for highly motivated individuals who prefer a more independent, individualized program of study. Two primary tutorial programs are available: film production and film studies.

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Further Details

There are five elements to the Honors Tutorial Program in Film:  

1. Tutorials
   Eight individual tutorials on topics in Film Studies and Film Production are required. Possible tutorial topics in Film Production include all aspects of film and video pre-production, and post-production; screenwriting; producing; directing; and special topics in film/video production. Possible tutorial topics in Film Studies include: film theory, criticism, history (including history of experimental, documentary and narrative film and video), historiography, film and society, research methods, and international cinemas. The thesis is also taken as a tutorial. 
2. Liberal Arts education
   The nature of the film medium requires a broad background in liberal arts and a multidisciplinary approach to learning. Students are expected to select 12 credit hours of elective courses in film, history, English, telecommunications, comparative arts, foreign languages, and other disciplines.
3. Production and scholarship courses in film
   Breadth of understanding can often best be achieved through practical courses in film and video production and courses in film scholarship. Because film is a collaborative art, tutorial students will join with other students in the appropriate courses. In the second year each student will select her/his area of specialization within one of two overall areas: (1) film studies or (2) film/video production.
4. Minor area of specialization
   The student will plan a cognate minor consisting of three courses outside the Film Division. These courses will be chosen according to the individual plan developed by the students with the Director of Studies. Students wishing, for example, to enter careers in producing or arts administration should complete a cognate minor in management, accounting, or business.
5. Thesis
   Each student is required to complete a thesis. This may take the form of a completed video, feature length screenplay, or a major research thesis. The Director of Studies and the Thesis Advisor will approve the topic and scope of the thesis no later than the beginning of the Fall Semester in the student’s senior year.