Cinema & Media Studies Honor Thesis

Catalog description

CIMS graduating seniors have the option to complete a Senior Honors Thesis in Cinema & Media Studies if they have a GPA of 3.5 or above in the major. A senior thesis is a culmination of a student’s journey through the major. It presents a unique opportunity to utilize one’s skills in research, critical analysis, creative skills, and sustained written argumentation while developing a topic of choice. Honors Thesis can either be: A research paper on a chosen topic related to film, TV, or media (30-35 pages). A screenplay (completed under the supervision of Kathy DeMarco or Scott Burkhardt), with a companion paper of about 7 pages that explains the premise, and contextualizes the screenplay within the current film landscape (genre, form, etc.) A creative project—a short film, documentary, video essay—with a 5-7 pages companion paper that contextualizes the project. The course is a year-long Independent Study students have to complete under the supervision of a CIMS Faculty advisor. This course is over two-semesters where students register for 0.5 CU each term. 1 CU will be awarded upon completion of the year-long CIMS Honors Thesis.