Film Track Major Requirements

Visual and Dramatic Arts
The School of Humanities
Degree Requirements for BA in Visual & Dramatic Arts, Film Track
 

Single Major, (12 courses required)

FILM 225, Introduction to Filmmaking and Editing, or any introductory level ARTS elective
FILM 327, Documentary Production
FILM 328, Filmmaking I
FILM 280, History and Aesthetics of Film, FILM 329, Film Form, or FILM 432, Film Genre: The Western
Six (6) elective courses in film (FILM), studio practice (ARTS), or theatre (THEA).  May not include more than three (3) studio arts practice (ARTS), or theatre (THEA).
Two (2) elective courses in theory/criticism of studio arts (ARTS), theatre (THEA), or film/media studies (offered in the departments of Anthropology, English, French Studies, History, etc.). NOTE: Open selections qualified by course prerequisites. Elective courses should be selected in consultation with a Visual and Dramatic Arts faculty advisor.
Junior Field Trip (recommended)

NOTE: Open selections qualified by course prerequisites. Elective courses should be selected in consultation with a visual and performing arts faculty advisor.

Double Major (10 courses required)

FILM 225, Introduction to Filmmaking and Editing, or any introductory level ARTS elective
FILM 327, Documentary Production
FILM 328, Filmmaking I
FILM 280, History and Aesthetics of Film, FILM 329, Film Form, or FILM 432, Film Genre: The Western
Four (4) elective courses in film (FILM), studio arts practice (ARTS), or theatre (THEA). May not include more than two (2) studio practice (ARTS) or theatre (THEA).
Two (2) elective courses in studio arts practice (ARTS), theatre (THEA), or film history/theory (offered in the departments of Anthropology, English, French Studies, History, etc.). 
Junior Field Trip (recommended)

NOTE: Open selections qualified by course prerequisites. Elective courses should be selected in consultation with a visual and performing arts faculty advisor.

Film track majors are strongly encouraged to explore arts-related courses offered in other departments that may enrich the film major, such as: philosophy, anthropology, science, history, cultural studies, language, writing, comparative studies, etc. Students should speak with their Visual and Dramatic Arts faculty advisor prior to enrolling.

The junior year field trip will be designed to help visual arts majors focus on the upcoming senior year of intensive studio work.  Trips may include local Houston alternative art, theatre, and film venues, museums, artist studios, and exhibitions as well as travel to destinations within the United States to visit significant arts sites and works.

Transfer Credit

No more than 2 courses may be transferred for the single or double major to satisfy degree requirements for BA in Visual and Dramatic Arts degree. The 2 transfer credit courses must be studio, film, or theatre practice courses required for all majors. Advanced placement credit may not be used by visual arts majors to fulfill department degree requirements. Entering transfer students who are transferring coursework from another accredited college or university will be allowed to transfer their undergraduate art courses. Students must speak with the department chairman immediately upon transferring to Rice.

The Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts will accept academic work completed in the Spring at NYU program and the National Theater Institute, Eugene OÕNeill Theater Center program as transfer credit to fulfill major requirements (following university transfer credit guidelines).

See also Transfer Credit in the Information for Undergraduate Students section of the General Announcements.

Exhibitions, Lectures, and Arts Programs at Rice

The Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts mounts several art and photography exhibitions and stage productions each year. In addition exhibitions and related activities organized by the Rice Art Gallery enrich the teaching program of the Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts, as well as the larger university and Houston communities.

The department enjoys an ongoing close relationship with local theatres, museums, and galleries. The department offers opportunities for students to work and study with local art venues and alternative art spaces by way of collaborative events and programs. The collections and exhibitions of local museums often are the subject of course lectures. Lectures, symposia, and talks are sponsored by the department and are designed to bring local, national, and Lectures, symposia, and talks are sponsored by the department and are designed to bring local, national, and international scholars, actors, directors, critics, and studio artists to campus to speak on a broad range of topics and current interests.

The department brings a range of international scholars, actors, directors, critics, and studio artists to campus to speak on a broad range of topics and current interests.

Film at Rice

Our film program works in concert with the Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts' academic mission to enrich our students' undergraduate experience. Our film and media studies students are provided state-of-the-art screening facilities to examine and study the historical and methodological aspects of movies from around the world in 16, 35, or 70 millimeter with Dolby Digital Sound. Film production students can showcase their work during the academic year on our new silver screen in recently renovated projection facilities.

Each year we screen films from around the world--foreign features, shorts, documentaries, and animation--as part of our ongoing partnership with the diverse cultural communities of the City of Houston. Film at Rice reaches beyond the university's hedges to create, engage, and encourage scholarly thought and dialog on the many issues that impact our world. Among the internationally known filmmakers who have appeared on our campus over the years are Werner Herzog, Rakhshan Banietemad, Atom Egoyan, Shirin Neshat, Martin Scorsese, Andy Warhol, George Lucas, and Dennis Hopper.