Make Movies!
In Shenandoah’s film studies program, you’ll learn how to make your own films, with plenty of hands-on experiences available. You’ll also discover more about the history of film, as well as explore filmmaking from a wide variety of perspectives.
Shenandoah is one of the very few universities in the nation to co-produce a commercial feature film with a professional production company. Students served as crew and cast members for “Santa Girl,” starring Jennifer Stone, Barry Bostwick and Devon Werkheiser. Through our program, you can step onto any film or television set, ready to work.
All majors complete a core curriculum and a set of elective courses from film criticism, production and related arts and humanities. All students are required to complete a practicum in film production or programming.
Upon graduation, you can use your skills not only in the film industry, but anywhere visual storytelling is prized.
The most exciting aspect of my major is the people I get to meet. Since being in school I have met Hollywood actors, actors and actresses I watched on TV growing up, Congressmen, and school officials. The other exciting part is the places I get to see from movie sets, government buildings, other countries, and everywhere in between. My academic interests are in media production, specifically film and video.
Orlando Levins ’19 | Media & Communications Major & Film Studies Minor
Learn More About This Program
Shenandoah University’s College of Arts & Sciences is your direct connection to a classic, broad-based education to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and career goals. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, small classes and individualized learning opportunities, we put students at the center of all our decisions and events.
We blend the liberal arts with pre-professional courses and hands-on learning to prepare you for careers in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. You’ll learn through small, engaging classes and relationships with faculty mentors; hone your skills to solve problems; and learn to use creativity and critical thinking to make informed decisions.
Minor in This Program
Declaring a Minor
Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.
Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application. Applications are for intended majors only.
Minor Course Requirements:
| Course | Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| MCOM 215 | Understanding Movies | 3 |
Five of the following:
| Course | Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| WST/FILM 200 | Images of Women in American Film | 3 |
| MCOM 211 | Media Ethics | 3 |
| CJ/FILM 230 | Crime Films | 3 |
| ENG 307 | Literature and Film | 3 |
| REL/FILM 349 | Religion and Film | 3 |
| SPA 400 | Spanish Cinema | 3 |
| SPA 405 | Latin American Cinema | 3 |
| PSCI 407 | Politics and Film | 3 |
| MCOM/FILM 461 | Gender, Sport, Media and Film | 3 |
| FILM 395 | Special Topics in Film | 3 |
| FILM 420 | Practicum in Film Studies | 3 |
Internship Possibilities
The Career Services staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Career Possibilities
The Career Services Office provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Classes
All majors complete a core curriculum and a set of elective courses from film criticism, production and related arts and humanities. All students are required to complete a practicum in film production or programming.
Required Courses
- Understanding Visual Communication
- Understanding Movies
- Introduction to Filmmaking
- Media Writing
- Film History, Theory & Criticism
- Film Studies Practicum
Elective Courses
- Images of Women in American Film
- Introduction to Photography
- Crime Films
- Documentary Film
- Literature and Film
- Religion and Film
- Video Journalism
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Special Topics
- Spanish Cinema
- Advanced Filmmaking
- Post-Production Editing
- Latin American Cinema
- Politics in Film
- Gender, Sport, Media and Film
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Learn more About the Making of Santa Girl
We’ve Made Shenandoah University A Film Producer—This Is Unheard Of In Academia.
There are no other film-oriented universities who have the deal that we have, in which the school is actually a co-producer and nearly the entire crew is students—with the exception of the producers, the director, the cinematographer and the makeup artist. Students also made up a large majority of the cast. There were 62 total students involved in acting and crewing; and when the actors were not acting, they were crewing.
This was an experience for Shenandoah University’s students like no other in the US!
Meet the Students of Santa Girl
Go Behind the Scenes of Santa Girl with the Cast and Crew
See the Trailer for Santa Girl!
Join the Honors Program
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Honors Program is a multidisciplinary Honors Program for students who are curious, creative, self-motivated, and eager to engage in their education and community.
Not only do Honors Program students partake in honors courses that emphasize collaboration, service, and communication, but they will also have the opportunity to develop aspects of the program based on their own interests and goals. By participating in the CAS Honors Program you will acquire the tools, knowledge and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to your community – whether it be globally, locally, or specific to your life’s work. You will have access to unique courses, exciting experiences and a community of peers and faculty who never stop asking questions and striving for excellence.
Faculty
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class — the average class size is approximately 12 students — with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Glenn Osten Anderson
Assistant Professor of Media & Communication - Digital Media Production
Full BiographyApplication Information
Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions and accepts applications throughout the year. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.
Submit your application, review required admission materials, and find our admissions standards.
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Study Abroad
Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
Shenandoah University also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world. These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU. All partner universities offer courses taught in English.
