May 09, 2024  
2023-2024 College Catalog 
  
2023-2024 College Catalog

Communications/Film Study Option, A.A. - Liberal Arts


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As a popular art form, film is a prominent medium in our society. Students invest a great deal of time and money enjoying a medium that is capable of shaping audiences’ cultural lives. The academic rationale for the Film Studies Option is to combine creative and critical thinking. As a result, students will receive a rigorous understanding of film criticism, screenwriting, and filmmaking. Film Studies will investigate the psychological, social, technical, and critical aspects of this medium, particularly focusing on how the medium can manipulate audiences.

Film Studies completes and complements the existing Communications Options in Journalism and Broadcasting. It is designed to be interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on the combined skills of professors from the Journalism, Broadcasting, and Fine Arts options.

Other courses in the program will include “Cinematography,” “Writing for the Media,” and “Critical Analysis of the Cinema,” a course which has been running for nearly a decade and which has enjoyed a 100 percent transfer record to Rutgers, Montclair, and William Paterson universities, to name only a few four-year institutions.

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural, social and political impact of film on contemporary society.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the technical and creative aspects of film.
  • Exhibit an understanding of the history of cinematography.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the film industry in relation to journalism, broadcasting, and the fine arts.
  • Strengthen and enhance the ability of individuals to write and think critically about the art of film in its cultural context.

First Year


Fall Semester


Total Semester Hours: 15


Winter Session


Spring Semester


Total Semester Hours: 15


Summer Session


Second Year


Fall Semester


Total Semester Hours: 15


Winter Session


Spring Semester


  • LSCI 000 - Science Gen Ed Requirement Credits: 3
  • GHMN 000 - Humanities Gen Ed Requirement Credits: 3
  • HIST 001 - History Gen Ed Requirement Credits: 3
  • GSOC 000 - Social Science Gen Ed Requirement Credits: 3
  • Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15


Summer Session


Total Program Hours: 60


Philosophy General Education Courses (Recommended)


Recommended courses listed below but student can also choose from the list of approved Philosophy General Education  courses in the College catalog.

History General Education Courses


Recommended courses listed below but student can also choose from the list of approved History General Education  courses in the College catalog. Must choose a level I & II sequence.

Humanities & Technology General Education Courses


Choose from the list of approved Technology General Education  courses in the College catalog.

Social Science General Education Courses (Recommended)


Recommended courses listed below but student can also choose from the list of approved Social Science General Education  courses in the College catalog.

Math/Science General Education Courses (Recommended)


Recommended courses listed below but student can also choose from the list of approved Math and Science General Education  courses in the College catalog.

Developmental Courses


Sussex has embraced a practice of directed self-choice whereby students are encouraged, through guided conversations with an advisor, to best determine their readiness for this course. Students should be aware that Developmental Studies  exist and are available to help strengthen skills and encourage success. Pursuing testing and/or developmental courses is entirely up to the student. Further, testing, though providing a valuable reference point for reflection, does not create for the student an obligation to follow Accuplacer recommendations. 

The exception to this is where students seek enrollment in higher-level math courses. Students wishing to enroll in the following math courses are required to take and adhere to placement guidance from, the Advanced Algebra and Functions test, as part of Accuplacer, through the college’s testing center, for admission into any of the following courses: MATH 110, MATH 112, and MATH 113. Please note, courses in other disciplines may also require advanced mathematics placement. Students should check with their advisor. 

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