FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I declare the Film Studies Minor / Video Production Certificate?
Declaring the Minor / Certificate is simple: click this link and complete the form by including your name, email and 800 number. Be sure to select both the Film Studies Minor and Certificate in Video Production to sign up for both simultaneously. NOTE: students who earn the Certificate in Video Production automatically have enough credits to earn the Film Studies Minor as well.
What is the difference between the Film Studies Minor and Video Production Certificate?
The Minor and Certificate are both housed within the Film Studies Program. The Film Studies Minor is an interdisiplinary program which allows students to select their courseload from a vast, ever-evolving set of courses offered via Colleges and Departments throughout the University. The Film Studies Minor allows students to engage in film history, theory and production (if desired) to enhance their primary degree program. The Certificate in Video Production allows students to focus their film studies work around production-based experiences partnered with select interdisciplinary electives to provide a comprehensive and actionable film education.
Can you Major in Film Studies?
Currently students are able to receive a Minor in Film Studies, as well as an Undergraduate Certificate in Video Production, alongside their primary degree program. While the Film Studies Program does not currently a Major at the University, it is housed in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program which the North Carolina System Board of Governors approved a new B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies at UNC Charlotte for three of the Programs (Capitalism Studies, Health & Medical Humanities and Women’s and Gender Studies), with additional concentrations to be added soon. Film Studies MInors and Video Production Certificate students will be notified as soon as new updates become available.
Who is the Film Studies Program designed for?
The Film Studies Minor and Certificate in Video Production are designed for students who have in interest in developing film knowledge, historical and production-based, and implementing it into their primary degrees and beyond their degree programs. Film Studies students range from nearly all Colleges and degree programs, many of which go on to earn secondary degrees, become educators, program cultural events, work for marketing firms, build production companies and more.
What benefits does the Film Studies Program provide?
In addition to enhancing primary degree programs for students with a Film Studies Minor and Certificate in Video Production, students enrolled in the Program are able to bridge unique connections between their areas of study while differentiating themselves professionally. Through Film Studies advising, students receive additional educational support to transform their degrees into actionable, impactful community work.
What courses do Film Studies Minors take?
Film Studies Minors have two required courses: FILM 2201: Introduction to Film at or near the start of their journey, and FILM 4690: Capstone in Film Studies during the final semester of their academic experience. Students take five additional interdisciplinary film electives of their choice which include but are not limited to survey courses, genre-specific, director-focused, theory-based and more. Courses are offered on a rolling basis annually and bi-annually, with dozens of new and rotating courses present through a wide array of the University’s Departments and Colleges.
What courses do Video Production Certificate students take?
Video Production Certificate students are required to take FILM 2201: Introduction to Film, FILM 3120: Fundamentals of Film/Video Production and FILM 3220: Intro to Screenwriting as a foundation. Building on this, students are able to select two interdisciplinary electives and two production courses to allow individualized focus on their film interests in relation to their primary degree program. During the last semester Certificate students take FILM 4690: Capstone in Film Studies to build a professional portfolio and design the next steps for their professional growth beyond the University.
Do other courses count toward the Film Studies Program?
As an interdisciplinary program, Film Studies boasts an impressive range of courses offered through nearly every College and Department at UNC Charlotte, many of which are cross-listed with the Program. In instances where courses aren’t cross-listed but have a film focus by title and within the course, credit can often be applied toward the Minor and/or Certificate. In other cases, transfer students who have film-focused equivalent courses may be able to apply them toward their Program work. For specific inquiries contact the Interim Program Director, Dr. Daniela Dal Pra at dcunicod@charlotte.edu.
I took a film course and it’s not showing up in DegreeWorks, what should I do?
Certain Topics courses, as well as courses not cross-listed with Film Studies or certain transfer credits, may not initially be represented on degree audits in DegreeWorks. For instances where a film course does not show up within the Film Studies Minor/Certificate in DegreeWorks, please contact the Interim Program Director, Dr. Daniela Dal Pra at dcunicod@charlotte.edu and a waiver request can be submitted for courses which count toward the Program.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Additional questions can be directed to the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at this link, or by emailing the Director of Film Studies at dcunicod@charlotte.edu.