Film Studies

This degree or certificate is designed to help students gain the breadth of knowledge, appreciation and understanding of cinematic language that is necessary for film and TV production and to seek employment in the field. These film and TV courses are designed to help students learn the aesthetics and craft of film language, cinematic story telling, production design, composition, lighting techniques, sound design, and picture editing. Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, the student will demonstrate an understanding of film aesthetics composition, film language, lighting and sound design to support the creative vision of the director; recognize, articulate, and judge the visual, verbal, and audio conventions through which images, words, and sounds make meaning in film and media texts. Students must complete all the required courses for a minimum of 24 units.

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor's degree, should meet with an academic and/or transfer counselor to discuss transfer requirements.

PREREQUISITE COURSES	REQUIRED COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE		UNITS
	Required Core Courses
	ARTH 125	Motion Picture History and Culture	3
	FTVM 100	Aesthetics of Cinema	3
	Select one course from the following
	FTVM 112	Introduction to Screenwriting	3
	FTVM 120	Cinematic Storytelling Pathways	3
	Select three courses from the following (Film Studies)
	ENGL 117	Film as Literature	3
	FTVM 101	Film Genres	3
	FTVM 102	Aesthetics of International Cinema: World War II to the Present	3
	FTVM 103	Emerging Global Cinema	3
	FTVM 104	American Independent Film	3
	FTVM 106	Great Filmmakers	3
	FTVM 107	Beyond Hollywood: Gender, Race and Sex in Movies	3
	FTVM 108	Documentary Film Aesthetics	3
	Select two course from the following (Film Production)
	FTVM 131	Introduction to TV Studio Production	3
FTVM 130	FTVM 132	Introduction to Film Production	3
	FTVM 135	Introduction to Audio Production	3
	FTVM 137	Introduction to Cinematography	3
	FTVM 139	Introduction to Editing	3
FTVM 132	FTVM 271	Documentary Filmmaking	3
	TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED		24

NOTE: ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK MIGHT BE REQUIRED IF PREREQUISITES ARE NOT MET. SEE A COUNSELOR TO PREPARE A STUDENT EDUCATIONAL PLAN.

November 2025	GCC CATALOG 2024-2025
Important Notice: In the event of a discrepancy between the information presented above and the online and/or print versions of the GCC Catalog, please contact a counselor or the office of Admissions and Records. For previous years requirements please see the catalog from that year.