Critical Studies Graduate Requirements
Master of Arts, Cinema-Television: Critical Studies
The Master of Arts degree in Cinema-Television with a track in Critical Studies is administered through the Graduate School. Candidates for the degree are subject to the general requirements of the Graduate School (see here ). Thirty-six units are required at the 400 level or higher, including a comprehensive examination. At least two-thirds of these units must be at the 500 level or higher.
Graduate Preparation Production Courses
Each graduate student must pass CTPR 507 (4 units). This course provides a basic primer in production considered necessary for graduate studies in critical studies.
CTPR 507 Production I (4 units) introduces the fundamental principles of motion picture production, emphasizing visual and auditory communication. Each student makes several non-dialogue personal projects, serving as a writer, producer, cinematographer, director, sound designer and editor and takes a crew role on a collaborative project. Projects are shot on digital cameras and edited on non-linear systems. Approximately $1,200 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.
REQUIRED COURSES AND UNITS
CTCS 500 Seminar in Film Theory 4
CTCS 506 Critical Studies Colloquium/Professional Seminar 2
CTCS 587 Seminar in Television Theory 4
CTPR 507 Production I 4
Three of the following:
CTCS 501 History of the Global Cinema Before World War II 2
CTCS 502 History of Global Cinema After World War II 2
CTCS 503 Survey History of the United States Sound Film 2
CTCS 504 Survey of Television History 2
CTCS 505 Survey of Interactive Media 2
Two of the following:
CTCS 510 Case Studies in National Media and/or Regional Media 4
CTCS 511 Seminar: Non-Fiction Film/Video 4
CTCS 517 Introductory Concepts in Cultural Studies 4
CTCS 518 Seminar: Avant-Garde Film/Video 4
In addition, 8 units of cinema-television electives are required.
Comprehensive Examination
As the final requirement for the M.A. degree, the comprehensive examination will be taken in the final spring semester of course work. There is no thesis option. The examination will consist of written responses to three questions selected from a list of fields, the appropriate fields chosen with the guidance of a faculty advisor.
If the student has completed all course work and is only taking the comprehensive examination, he or she must register in GRSC 810 Studies for Master's Examination.
Grade Point Average Requirements
A grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained in all graduate level course work. Courses in which a grade of C- (1.7) or lower is earned will not apply toward a graduate degree.
Time Limit
Although students are normally expected to complete the degree in two years, the degree must be completed within five years of the beginning of graduate work at USC.
Curriculum Review
At the beginning of their matriculation, and each semester thereafter, each M.A. candidate will confer with a designated faculty advisor who will monitor the student's progress.
