Cinema Studies, BA
Are you ready to express yourself creatively while gaining the technical skills needed to excel in today’s media-saturated world? Our Cinema Studies BA program gives you access to internationally-recognized scholars and filmmakers who teach you the history and aesthetics of movies while also guiding you through your own productions.
Program Overview
The Cinema Studies BA program teaches students the technical artistry of filmmaking, covering video and film production, aesthetics, and film theory.
As a unique interdisciplinary degree, students take courses with internationally-recognized scholars and filmmakers in the School of Art and across the College of Arts & Sciences. In both the major and minor, students study the history and aesthetics of movies while also undertaking their own productions. The Cinema Studies major includes both Cinema History/Theory/Aesthetics courses and production courses in film/video. Students may choose a greater emphasis in cinema history and aesthetics or in moving image production, although all majors will take courses in both areas.
This program is a great fit for students who want to build practical production skills and pursue careers in film or television, or continue to graduate studies.
Honors
Our program offers an Honors pathway for students interested in more advanced, rigorous coursework. You’ll take Honors-specific courses, receiving specialized guidance from faculty, all while gaining expert knowledge and skills. Students interested in Honors must maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 and a cinema study GPA of 3.5.
Minors
If you’re interested in supplementing your primary field of study with knowledge of cinema, video production, animation, and film history, our minor will equip you with interdisciplinary skills that’ll help you hit the ground running.
- Art History minor
- Cinema Studies minor
- Museum and Curatorial Studies minor
- Studio Art minor
Why Study Cinema Studies?
With a bachelor’s degree in cinema studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty that will help you gain the artistic and technical expertise necessary to open a clear path forward. Many of our graduates have also gone on to excellent graduate programs and careers in film or television.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Cinema Studies has access to a range of professional-grade facilities in Walters Academic Building. The space, opened in 2025 especially for Cinema Studies students, includes animation labs, editing suites, a Green Screen Room, a Sound Editing Room, a Color Editing Room, and other resources to support student production.
Record of Alumni Success
From working as assistant editor on the latest Avatar sequels to productions for series like Only Murders in the Building? to film assistants with the NFL, our cinema studies graduates have gone on to excellent careers in film, production, and television.
Student Internships
Time-based Art and Cinema Studies Students have interned at a range of companies across Tennessee and beyond, from Hollywood talent agencies to feature films to advertising and production companies. Such positions have helped lead students to careers in the film and television industry. Eligible students can also secure positions at UT media outlets, such as the Daily Beacon and Tennessee Athletics.
What Can You Do with a BA in Cinema Studies After Graduation?
A degree in Cinema Studies from UT opens up doors to a wide variety of creative possibilities. Whether you want to go into the world of filmmaking, history, production, or any other pursuit, this program will prepare you for the industry with the hands-on experience and access to top of the line media resources you need.
Our graduates go on to work in the film and television industry; study at top-ranked MFA and PhD programs at leading film schools; or pursue broader goals (law school, the Peace Corps, etc.) thanks to our program’s interdisciplinary approach.
The cinema studies program will give you the knowledge, critical thinking/technical skills, historical foundations, and real-world experience you need to set you on the right track after graduation.
Featured Courses
CNST 236 Introduction to Cinema and Video Art
This course covers the development of basic concepts and techniques for the creation of works of cinema and video art.
CNST 281 Introduction to Film Studies
Students develop the critical techniques necessary for understanding and analysis of narrative cinema, learn the basic elements of film expression and contours of film history, and gain exposure to selected world cinema feature films.
CNST 334 Film and American Culture
Students will study American films as both works of art and social documents. Relationship between the medium of film and American culture in the 20th century will also be covered.
ARTC 233 Animation I
Development of basic concepts and techniques for the creation of animated works, including stop-motion, 2D animation, and key-framing.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
- Interdisciplinary Programs, BA – Visual and Interactive Storytelling
- Applications of Uncrewed Aerial Systems Certificate
- Geographic Information Science Minor
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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