Film Studies
School for Studies in Art and Culture: Film Studies
Graduate Office
423 St. Patrick's Building
Tel.: 613-520-2342
carleton.ca/filmstudies
M.A. Film Studies
About the Program
The School for Studies in Art and Culture offers a program of study and research leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Film Studies. Priority is given to critical and historical concepts and methods pertaining to the study of media technology and aesthetics; national and transnational cinemas in their global contexts; Canadian and Quebec cinema; animation and new media; and film's relationship to literature, theatre, music and the visual arts.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
A standing of B- or better must be obtained in each course counted towards the master's degree.
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's program in either a full-time or part-time capacity is a B.A. (Honours) or the equivalent in film studies or a related discipline with high honours standing. Related disciplines might include mass communication, art history, literature, Canadian studies, women's studies, and history. Applicants without a background in film studies may be required to take a maximum of two full credits from designated courses in the undergraduate Film Studies program in addition to their normal M.A. program requirements.
Applicants who lack an Honours degree, but who have a three-year degree in film studies or a related discipline with a minimum standing of B+, may be admitted to a qualifying-year program. Students who complete the qualifying-year requirements with high honours standing or better will be considered for admission to the master's program. The regulations governing the qualifying-year are outlined in the General Regulations section of this calendar.
Program Requirements
Students enrolled in the Film Studies M.A. must select one of the following two program streams:
- 3.0 credits plus a 2.0 credit Thesis
- 5.0 credits Intensive stream
Thesis Stream
Five (5.0) credits:
In choosing the 2.0 additional credits beyond the core seminars and the comprehensive exam, students may take 0.5 credits of coursework outside the Film Studies program subject to the approval of the Graduate Supervisor.
Intensive Stream
Five (5.0 credits):
- 1.0 credit FILM 5000 (core seminar)
- 0.5 credit FILM 5910 (Comprehensive Examination)
- 0.5 credit FILM 5805
- 2.0 additional credits (0.5 credit of which can include one of FILM 5801)
- 1.0 credit FILM 5908 Research Essay
In choosing the two additional credits beyond the core seminars and the comprehensive exam, students may take 0.5 credits of coursework outside the Film Studies program subject to the approval of the Graduate Supervisor.
Guidelines for Completion of M.A. Film Studies
- Full-time students in the thesis stream are expected to finish all requirements for the degree, with the exception of FILM 5909, during their first two terms of study, and part-time students by the end of the fifth term. The thesis requirement is designed to take two or three additional terms.
- Full-time students in the intensive stream are expected to finish all requirements for the degree, with the exception of FILM 5908 and FILM 5910, during their first two terms of study, and part-time students by the end of the fifth term. Full-time students are expected to complete the research essay by the end of the third term and part time students during the sixth term. Full-time students are expected to write the comprehensive exam during the third term and part-time students during the sixth term.
Thesis/Research Essay Proposal
- Students in the thesis stream will submit a detailed thesis proposal to the Film Studies Graduate committee no later than May 1 of the first year of registration for students enrolled full time and no later than the middle of the fifth term of registration for students enrolled part time.
- Students in the intensive stream will submit a research proposal that has been accepted by their research essay supervisor for approval no later than May 1. The topic should concern research undertaken after admission into the program.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination will cover basic factual information concerning film history and the history of film theory, and questions relating to film theory and historiography, the critical debates in film studies, and approaches to film analysis. It will normally be undertaken during the Spring Term. A student may opt to write this exam during the Summer Term provided permission is granted by the Graduate Supervisor. Method of evaluation by letter grade.
Language Requirements
A reading knowledge of French (or another language approved by the Film Studies Graduate Supervisor) is required.
