Bachelor of Arts in Film & Digital Media

Students on set in Villa Pamphilj

Program Objectives

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Media will have the ability to:

• Articulate a wide range of concepts and ideas relating to film and digital media through well structured written compositions demonstrating the capabilities to express, inform, analyze, evaluate, persuade, conduct research and use primary and secondary sources.
• Translate their imaginative ideas into words, film and other digital media in work which demonstrates a well-developed degree of control over language, narrative technique and form.
• Apply skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to elucidate the purposes of film and digital media, theories and skills associated with fi lm and digital media studies, the messages of film and digital media content, and the reasoning behind content choices (film and digital media literacy).
• Demonstrate high levels of competence in using computer technology as the main component of Digital Media (web-related software, including training in web design, graphic design, as well as non-linear editing software for the completion of film and digital media projects) and in using video, sound recording, lighting, and postproduction equipment to produce their own media projects (e.g., digital films, TV commercials, experimental films, music videos, etc.) so that they are able to succeed in entry-level positions or begin graduate studies.
• Identify information needs, access and evaluate information from a variety of sources and use information ethically and legally to accomplish specific purposes within the context of film and digital media research.
• Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the power of film and digital media to persuade and inform audiences, and to foster a sense of social responsibility, professionalism, ethics and civic engagement.

The Bachelor of Arts in Film and Digital Media requires successful completion of 120 credits made up of a 37-credit general education requirement, a 42-credit major and 41 credits of free electives. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of no less than 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, and earn at least a C grade (2.00) in every core course in the major (24 credits).

Requirements for the Degree

A. Proficiency in English, Mathematics and Italian Language

A note on our Proficiency Requirements and Placement Examinations: All new first-year students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics and English. New transfer students are exempt from taking the examinations only if transfer credits in mathematics and/or English have been accepted by AUR. Italian language tests are given for students wishing to register for a course above ITL 101 (optional). The tests are given during orientation week preceding the start of each semester. The scores obtained will be used for English, mathematics and Italian placement.

B. The General Education Requirements

1. Foundational Skills: First Year Seminar; Writing Skills; Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning; Italian language; IT skills; Information Literacy; Oral Presentation Skills
2. The Individual in a Multicultural Society; Three courses from a list in the Catalog
3. United States Government and Society; One course from a list in the Catalog
4. Roma Caput Mundi; One course from a list in the Catalog

C. Core Courses

• COM 100 Introduction to Mass Media
• CIN 200 Survey of Film History
• COM 205 Principles of Film and Media Production
• COM 215 The Computer as a Media Tool
• COM 217 Media Technology
• COM 305 Media Ethics and Cultural Citizenship
• CIN 498 Capstone Senior Project
• CIN 499 Capstone Senior Project

Film and Digital Media Electives

Students may take a broad program of study which draws upon a selection of the courses from a list in the catalog or they may focus their Film and Digital Media electives by taking a Concentration of 18 credits. A minimum of three upper-level courses must be taken.

Visual Media Production and Technology Concentration

Six courses from a list in the Catalog.

Film and Digital Media Studies Concentration

Six courses from a list in the Catalog.

Free Electives

Free electives can be used towards satisfying a minor, to supplement a major or to explore other academic areas.

At work on Final Cut in the Battista Media Lab