The Bachelor of Arts degree signifies the student can conduct independent research and has both a broad basic knowledge of all areas of his or her field. A B.A. candidate must complete all requirements no later than eight years from matriculation into the degree program. To apply to the B.A. program, please visit the Tisch Undergraduate Admissions page.
B.A. Course of Study
Area I: General Education
A minimum of 44 points, to be distributed as follows:
- Writing: a minimum of 8 points including expository writing. Two semesters of expository writing (Art and the World; The World Through Art) are required for freshmen, one semester for transfers, and the three-course International Writing Sequence for international students. (Other courses include language, literature, dramatic literature, and theatre history. Advanced Placement in English Composition does not satisfy Writing Workshop requirements but can be counted as elective credit.)
- Foreign Language: a minimum of 8 points of a foreign language or confirmed proficiency at an intermediate level.
- A minimum of 12 points in the Humanities & Social Sciences. Students are required to take the following Morse Academic Plan (MAP) courses:
- Conversations of the West
- World Cultures
- An approved Social Sciences course (politics, sociology, economics, psychology, Metropolitan studies, linguistics, journalism, and anthropology)
- Social/Natural Science: a minimum of 8 points. Students are required to take the following Morse Academic Plan (MAP) courses:
- Quantitative Reasoning (MAP) or approved Math course
- Natural Science I (MAP) or an approved science course
The remaining 8 points must be taken in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Area II: Cinema Studies
For students entering Cinema Studies prior to Fall 2009:
A minimum of 40 points in the major.
The Cinema Studies major is divided into three areas of study.
Tier I consists of a core curriculum for cinema studies majors that is comprised of five courses (20 points) taken in sequence.
Tier 2 consists of small lecture classes in the areas of film auteurs, genres, movements, national cinemas, television studies, and special topics. Cinema studies majors are required to complete a two-course distribution requirement in film history from Tier 2: one course in U.S. cinema, one course in a non U.S. cinema.
Tier 3 consists of large lecture classes in film aesthetics, directors, and genres, designed to fit the curriculum requirements of students in Cinema Studies, TSOA and CAS.
For students entering Cinema Studies Fall 2009 or after:
A minimum of 40 points in the major.
The Cinema Studies major is divided into three areas of study.
Tier I consists of a core curriculum for cinema studies majors that is comprised of five courses (20 points) taken in sequence.
Tier 2 consists of small lecture classes in the areas of film auteurs, genres, movements, national cinemas, television studies, and special topics.
Tier 3 consists of large lecture classes in film aesthetics, directors, and genres.
Cinema studies majors are required to complete three courses in the Tier 2 area (12 points).
Cinema studies majors must also complete a three-course distribution requirement in film history from either the Tier II or Tier III area: one course in U.S. cinema, two courses in a non U.S. cinema.
Area III: Minor Area
A minimum of 16 points in a related area (e.g., social sciences, humanities or arts).
The minor must be approved by the department chair or director of undergraduate studies.
Area IV: Electives
A minimum of 28 points.
Double Major Option. Students may combine their minor and elective points to complete a second major in humanities, social sciences or arts. Once officially admitted into the Department of Cinema Studies, students should contact the department in which they wish to double major.
AT LEAST 12 POINTS IN AREAS III & IV (MINOR & ELECTIVES) MUST BE IN LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCE COURSES.
