Cinema and Television Arts B.F.A.
Chair: Associate Professor Costello
Professor: Clark
Associate Professors: Grady, Kass, Triche
Assistant Professors: Johnson, Kudva, McMerty, Negin, Osman
Lecturers: Booker, Saltz, Witt
The cinema and television arts B.F.A. is an intensive degree option for students who want to go above and beyond what they are able to do in the normal sequence of classes within the major (see Cinema and Television Arts A.B.). The major encompasses all forms of creative fiction and nonfiction storytelling through moving images and sound and provides foundational skills in writing, previsualization, aesthetics, audience analytics, diversity and inclusion, production, distribution and industry best practices. Students learn single and multi-camera production techniques and live event, studio- and reality-based programming.
Students in the B.F.A. program must complete the following additional requirements: 1) take eight additional hours of advanced coursework in the major; 2) participate in the Elon in LA summer or full-semester program while taking residential classes and completing a professional internship with an entertainment media company; and 3) complete a thesis project demonstrating advanced research, technical, and creative skills, fostered through experiential learning and one-on-one faculty mentorship.
The Cinema and Television Arts B.F.A. option requires 60 semester hours in CTA, COM, CDE, JOU, MEA or STC, plus 2 hours IDS 115.
(See School of Communications for additional program requirements and course descriptions)
Major Requirements:
Required courses: 57-58 sh
| IDS 115 | PUBLIC SPEAKING | 2 sh |
| COM 100 | COMMUNICATIONS IN A GLOBAL AGE | 4 sh |
| COM 110 | MEDIA WRITING | 4 sh |
| COM 210 | WEB AND MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS | 2 sh |
| COM 220 | CREATING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT | 4 sh |
| CTA 256 | ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA | 4 sh |
| CTA 316 | WRITING FOR TELEVISION AND CINEMA | 4 sh |
| COM 381 | COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP | 1 or 2 sh |
| COM 400 | MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS | 4 sh |
| CTA 456 | PRODUCING FOR THE SCREEN | 4 sh |
| COM 495 | GREAT IDEAS: ISSUES AND RESEARCH | 4 sh |
Select one of the following courses: 4 sh
Select one of the following courses: 4 sh
Select one of the following courses: 4 sh
| CTA 304 | BROADCASTING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST | 4 sh |
| CTA 306 | DEVELOPMENT AND INFLUENCE OF CINEMA | 4 sh |
| CTA 336 | INTERNATIONAL CINEMA | 4 sh |
| CTA 406 | FILM THEORY | 4 sh |
Select one of the following courses: 4 sh
Complete the following: 4 sh
| CTA 496 | BFA THESIS PROJECT | 2 sh |
| CTA 499 | RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY | 1-4 sh |
Students take CTA 496 in the fall semester of their senior year and 2 sh of CTA 499 in the spring semester of their senior year. CTA 499 requires a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Participation in the Elon in Los Angeles summer or semester program.
Select additional courses to total at least 60 semester hours of courses from COM, CDE, CTA, JOU, MEA, or STC , not including IDS 115.
Total Credit Hours: 62
Program Outcomes
Truth, accuracy and fairness: Students will be able to articulate the value of truth, accuracy and fairness; describe the importance of access to information to ensure these values; and apply these values in the discipline and professions.
Freedom of expression: Students will be able to identify and state the importance of the five freedoms in the First Amendment; distinguish expression that is and is not protected; and apply legal principles to media issues.
Ethical ways of reasoning: Students will be able to describe the philosophical underpinnings of ethical decision-making; recognize the symbiosis between law and ethics; and apply ethical principles to professional issues.
History and roles of media, communication professions and sport in society: Students will be able to identify significant individuals and describe important milestones in communications history; and analyze the role and impact of media on U.S. society.
Domestic and global diversity: Students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of diverse peoples and cultures; describe ways to communicate with diverse domestic and global audiences; and understand the consequences of the digital divide.
Write and speak clearly and effectively: Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in grammar, spelling, mechanics and organization; and write with accuracy, clarity and style for different audiences across media platforms.
Employ the tools of today’s technology: Students will be able to describe how technologies shape the way people interact with the world; master communication tools and technologies; and produce print, audio, video, online and mobile content.
Use theory in producing meaningful content: Students will be able to identify and demonstrate communication theories, concepts and aesthetic principles that guide the creation of visual content and the presentation of images and information.
Engage in research and analysis: Students will be able to describe qualitative and quantitative research methods; evaluate primary and secondary sources; and write and present a scholarly paper appropriate for disciplinary professions.
Apply numerical concepts: Students will be able to perform basic numerical computations; interpret statistical data and analyze audiences; and demonstrate the ability to apply these concepts in appropriate communications professions.
Demonstrate creative and critical thinking: Students will be able to explain the creative elements in the work they do; understand the financial aspects of content creation; and draw rational conclusions as they analyze social and communications phenomena.