Film is ubiquitous, an artistic medium to which everyone can relate. But it’s not just movie magic. Location, cinematography, screenwriting, sound, and design combine to provide more than entertainment—they produce a form of creative expression that transcends the components.

Why study film at Sewanee?

At Sewanee, you can minor in film studies and focus either on theory or production. Film theory encompasses analysis of film history, genre, and natural culture, as well as an appreciation of the filmmaking process. Studying film production centers on the preparation of film and video, focusing on topics like documentary, digital art, and color and motion.

A Sampling of Courses

The Films of Alfred Hitchcock
Film Studies

Rear Window serves as a model for Hitchcock's persistent interest in climactic chases, claustrophobic locations, sexual voyeurism, ironic humor, and a sense of the inevitability of fate. Analysis of other Hitchcock films from the late-'20s to the mid-'60s emphasizes the director's treatment of editing, framing, sound, and mise en scene. Students become familiar with a variety of critical approaches and with cultural and historical influences on Hitchcock's work.

ARTH 107
History of Film: Invention to Mid-Century
Film Studies

A chronological survey of the most significant and influential developments in international cinema from the invention of moving pictures to mid-century. Emphasis is on pioneering directors and major films. This course also introduces the student to film theory along with the major aesthetic and technological developments of the medium.

FILM 108
Contemporary Spanish and Latin American Cinema
Spanish

This course explores and analyzes a selection of contemporary Spanish and Latin American films directed by men and women. The course provides a panoramic view of current trends in cinema along with basic analytical and theoretical tools to better understand the film text. The course is organized thematically around topics of politics of memory, gender and sexuality, and social and global issues.

SPAN 391
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Film Studies

Programs of Study & Related Programs

Requirements for the Minor in Film Studies

Requirements for the Major & Minor in Art | Website

Requirements for the Major & Minor in Art History | Website

Contact

Jeffrey Thompson
Associate Professor of Art History and Director, Interdisciplinary Humanities Program

jpthomps@sewanee.edu

Carnegie Hall 307, Ext. 1493

Shakespeare Studies
Love all, trust few, do wrong to none

Shakespeare studies is a complementary minor for many programs. There’s a reason Shakespeare’s poems and plays have endured the test of time. His colorful characters give us a glimpse into specific and universal human experiences.

Pray tell more!
Sewanee Union Theatre
Ticket prices that won't have you taking out student loans

The Sewanee Union Theatre (lovingly known as just the "SUT") is a centerpiece of the campus community, offering recent Hollywood hits as well as classic films. The SUT is one of the oldest theatres in the south, having been showing films since the late 1920s. However, the SUT boasts the latest in digital projection, giving the audience a high-def, thoroughly modern picture. Come & enjoy its funky spaces, with super-squishy reclining chairs, awesome sound, and the largest screen from Tullahoma to Chattanooga.

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Tennessee Williams Center
Legacy of the South's Favorite Playwright

The Tennessee Williams Center provides unique, state-of-the-art facilities for students and faculty. Created with funds from the estate of Tennessee Williams himself, the center houses a fully equipped 175-seat theatre, a 60-seat studio theatre, a drafting and design studio, a dance studio, costume and scenery studios, and dressing rooms.

On with the show!
Center for speaking & Listening
Next Stop: eloquence and poise

The Center for Speaking and Listening will be your new favorite resource on campus. Check out this quiet space, use state-of-the-art equipment, and meet tutors ready to watch your speech and give constructive feedback. Design, develop, and practice delivering effective speeches with eloquence and confidence.

Take a look