>requirements for graduates and undergraduates

UNDERGRADUATES

Undergraduates who desire rigorous and comprehensive training in film and visual studies may wish to concentrate in Film Studies within VES. Students who concentrate elsewhere may opt to pursue a secondary field in Film Studies. Both possibilities blend theoretical, analytic, and historical coverage in a way that is focused yet flexible.

Concentration Requirements

Ordinarily, applicants to VES have taken a half course in the department (preferably in Film Studies) and have a grade point average of 3.0 or better. VES requires 12 half courses.

Introductory Courses
Four half courses:
The Art of Film
Silent Cinema
Sound Cinema
One introductory course in film theory (e.g., Film Theory/Film Practice, Contemporary Film Theory, Frames of Mind: Approaches to Film Theory)

Advanced Courses
Six half courses in film studies. Offerings under this heading will include both film studies classes offered in VES by regular and visiting faculty as well as pertinent
film studies classes offered in departments outside of VES. At least two of these
half courses must be advanced seminars.

Electives
Students who choose not to write a thesis will instead take two additional advanced film studies courses (these choices are subject to the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies).

Secondary Field Requirements

Six half courses:
The Art of Film
Either Silent Cinema or Sound Cinema
One introductory half course in film theory
Three additional half courses in film studies

GRADUATES

The graduate program in Film and Visual Studies leads to the degree of Doctor
of Philosophy (PhD). Requirements include coursework, the mastery of two
languages, successful performance on comprehensive examinations, teaching, and the submission of a dissertation. The materials below merely outline the requirements; students should consult ves.fas.harvard.edu/gradprogram.html for more comprehensive policy guidelines. Graduate students pursuing serious research in film and related visual media in other departments who, for reasons both intellectual and professional, may wish to have their work validated by our
program may pursue a secondary field in Film and Visual Studies.

PhD Requirements

Coursework
Proseminar in Film and Visual Studies: History
Proseminar in Film and Visual Studies: Theory
Twelve additional half courses selected from among graduate courses taught by faculty on the Committee on Film and Visual Studies.

The proseminars will normally be taken in the first year of study. Normal progression would include eight courses in the first year and six courses in the second to provide time for preparation for the general examination as well as flexibility to pursue course work in neighboring fields of study.Language Requirements A reading knowledge of two languages is required (either French or German should be one). This may be certified either by a grade of B- or better on a proficiency exam or in a second-year or higher course taught in a foreign language.

Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to candidacy for a PhD in Film and Visual Studies consists of
three components: a qualifying paper, a written general examination, and an oral examination. These examinations will normally take place in September of the beginning of the third year of study.

Qualifying paper
The qualifying paper is ordinarily developed from an existing seminar paper, research paper, or portion of a master’s thesis. It is about 5–10,000 words in length, including notes. The paper should be completed and submitted at the time of the general examination.

Written examination
The examination consists of two parts,
one relating to history and one to theory and aesthetics. Each part has three
components. Each component comprises a two-hour exam consisting of three
essay questions, of which the student must choose one for each component (twelve hours total). The history examination has three components: a general examination relating to methodology and historiography; a national or regional field component; and a third field component examining topics in the history of film and the visual or performing arts. The theory and aesthetics examination also has three components consisting of a general examination and two special fields. Special fields may be organized conceptually or thematically and could include: narrative theory in the visual arts; gender and sexuality in film; performance theory; authorship and genre; theories of spectatorship and audience; theories of documentary and non-fiction film; design, architecture, and theories of space; film, philosophy, and aesthetics, etc.

Oral examination
At the oral examination (two hours), students will be asked to review, deepen, clarify, and defend their arguments as presented in the qualifying paper and written examinations. Candidates should also expect to present and discuss preliminary ideas and research for their proposed thesis topic.

The Dissertation Prospectus
A committee should be formed and agreed to no later than January in the third year of study, consisting of the dissertation director and two readers. Students will be expected to have a prospectus approved within five months of passing the general examination. Excluding the bibliography, the prospectus should not be more than ten pages long.

The Dissertation
The PhD dissertation is expected to be an original and substantial work of
scholarship or criticism, excellent in form and content. The program will accept
dissertations on a great variety of topics involving a broad range of approaches
to film and related visual media. It sets no specific page limits, preferring to
give students and directors as much freedom as possible.

Teaching
Students begin teaching in their third year. Ordinarily they teach discussion
sections in courses in Film and Visual Studies in VES. It may also be possible to serve as a Teaching Fellows for studio courses.

Secondary Field Requirements

The secondary field consists of four half courses and an examination:

Coursework
Proseminar in Film and Visual Studies: History
Proseminar in Film and Visual Studies: Theory
Two additional half courses selected from among graduate courses taught by
faculty on the Committee on Film and Visual Studies

Examination
Successful completion of an examination or alternative means of demonstrating mastery in the field of Film and Visual Studies is also required. The particular form will be agreed upon by the Director of Graduate Studies in Film and Visual Studies and the Director of Graduate Studies in the student’s home department.