Film and Television Major

The film and television major takes a critical and practical approach to the study of media in their shared and distinctive artistic and industrial elements. It draws from a broad tradition of historical, theoretical, and creative practices to best prepare students with the skills they need in the rapidly evolving media landscape.

Fordham’s location in New York City and Jesuit mission makes the University uniquely positioned to offer students cultural and career opportunities in film and television as well as a curriculum that trains them in ethical approaches to media studies and practice.

The major offers a concentration in either film or television, with courses designed uniquely for each concentration and with courses that bridge both tracks. It also offers flexibility for those students wishing to focus on film and/or television writing and production, and those wishing to concentrate on critical, historical, and theoretical concerns.


CIP Code

50.0601 - Film/Cinema/Media Studies.


You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.

The film and television (FITV) major requires eleven (11) courses.

Students must declare a concentration in film or television. The required courses for the major are:

Course Title Credits
COMM 1000Fundamentals of Communication and Media Studies 13
Select one of the following tracks:12
Film
Understanding Film
History of Film, 1895-1950
Film Theory and Criticism
Television
Understanding Television
History of Television
Television Theory and Criticism
One Production course4
Two FITV courses at the 3000/4000 level (excluding production courses) 28
Three additional electives 212
One Ethics, Law, and Policy course (normally taken during the senior year) 34
1

COMM 1010 Introduction to Communication and Media Studies may be substituted if taken prior to Spring 2017.

2

Any course with the FITV subject code or the FITV attribute code may fulfill this requirement.

3

See list of ELP courses under Ethics, Law, and Policy Course Requirement on the Communication and Media Studies department page. Courses that have the CELP attribute typically explore the legal and regulatory frameworks within which media industries operate, and examine the ethical and moral questions that shape media production.

Production Courses

Any FITV course numbered xx1x or xx2x—i.e., courses whose third digit is 1 or 2) may fulfill this requirement.

Courses in this group have the FIPR attribute.

A course in film and TV production is required for students majoring in film and television. These courses focus on the development of technical and creative skills that include screenwriting and digital video production.

Course Title Credits
DTEM 2425Digital Video Production I for DTEM4
DTEM 3423Projects in Digital Video4
DTEM 3425Digital Video Production II4
FITV 2425Digital Video Production I for FITV4
FITV 2511Screenwriting I4
FITV 2611Television Production I4
FITV 2612Writing Producing Web Series4
FITV 3425Digital Video Production II4
FITV 3511Screenwriting II4
FITV 3512Film/Television: Narrative Basics4
FITV 3525Writing the Genre Screenplay: Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy4
FITV 3624Writing Television Dramas4
FITV 3626Writing the Original Television Pilot4
FITV 4625Writing Television Sitcoms4
FITV 4626Writing For Animation4
JOUR 4789Sports Television Production: Theory and Practice4
VART 1265Film/Video I4
VART 2265Film/Video II4
VART 3251Film Video Postproduction4
VART 3261Documentary Film/Video Production4
VART 3262Narrative Film/Video Production4

Availability

The major in film and television is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) and Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC).

Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.