School of Communications - Elon University
Cinema: The art form of our time

Cinema is an art form that communicates both fact and fiction through words, sounds, images, actions and music. Whether it's a documentary or a work of fiction brought to the screen, cinema uses a narrative structure in offering a visual rhythm through complex images.

 

Cinema has the ability to address issues of social significance as well as serving as an entertainment medium and business enterprise. Elon's School of Communications highlights the relationship between creative storytelling and the artistic form and technology that make cinema come to life.

 

Cinema students are prepared to launch creative and meaningful careers in roles such as screenwriters, cinematographers, film editors, producers, directors, the business of film and any profession that emphasizes writing, visual literacy or aural communications.

 

The Cinema concentration in the Media Arts & Entertainment major requires 52 credit hours in the School of Communications, plus completion of GST 115 Public Speaking. Here is the curriculum for the Cinema concentration:

 

COM 100       Communications in a Global Age (4)

COM 110       Media Writing (4)

COM 220       Digital Media Convergence (4)

COM 236       Development and Influence of Cinema (4)

COM 316       Screenwriting (4)

COM 326       Cinema Production (4)

COM 381       Communications Internship (1-2)

COM 400       Media Law and Ethics (4)

COM 495       Great Ideas: Capstone in Communications (2)

 

At least one course selected from:

COM 355       The Documentary (4)

COM 356       Cinema Aesthetics (4)

 

At least one course selected from:

COM 455       Producing the Documentary (4)

COM 456       Producing Narrative Cinema (4)

 

Choice of electives in the School of Communications to total at least 52 COM hours, including the option of pursuing an emphasis in writing, advertising, photojournalism, documentary, sports communications, audio recording or international communications.

 

Eight hours of COM electives are waived for any student completing a double major outside the School of Communications.

Click here for the Cinema curriculum in effect for the classes of 2009 and 2010