Film Studies (Major)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

The American University of Paris

Program Overview

The Film Studies major at The American University of Paris dives deep into how moving images shape our world, blending analytical study of film history, culture, politics, theory, and aesthetics with hands-on screenwriting and filmmaking to make you a technically savvy liberal arts graduate ready to engage contemporary issues. It's perfect for creative, curious students passionate about global cinema who thrive in an intimate, multicultural setting like Paris, with access to resources like La Cinémathèque, master classes, director visits, and festival trips that turn learning into real-world inspiration.

Curriculum Structure
First Year
You'll kick off with foundational courses that build your film vocabulary and critical eye, like exploring feature films from around the globe while practicing close textual analysis to interpret style and drama in context. Classes dive into Parisian film culture and various criticism approaches through lectures and discussions, helping you gain confidence in technical terms and your own interpretations. Expect engaging assignments that spark lively debates on how films reflect history and society right from the start.

Second Year
Building skills, you'll tackle specialized topics such as FM2092 Women and Film, unpacking Hollywood's complex portrayal of women post-studio system alongside European directors like Fellini, Godard, and Varda to reveal cultural fears and female images on screen. Hands-on production basics in direction, writing, and editing come into play, letting you manage small projects while theorizing aesthetics in an interdisciplinary way. This year sharpens your ability to connect film to politics and culture through global genres and close analysis.

Third and Fourth Years
Advanced electives let you focus in three main areas—history, theory, or production—with courses like FM2910 Topics in Film Studies (varying by semester) for deep dives into art cinema, sound design, or geopolitics, guided by experts like Professor Emre Çağlayan. You'll synthesize everything in capstone projects, tailoring your path with an advisor for screenwriting, directing, or critical analysis, all enhanced by Paris's cinematic scene. Graduates emerge with production know-how and critical thinking to launch careers or further studies.

Focus Areas
History and aesthetics of global cinema; film theory and criticism; practical production (writing, directing, editing).

Learning Outcomes
Critically analyze film aesthetics and theories; master basics of production, direction, writing, and editing for small-scale projects; engage film as a lens for history, culture, politics, and contemporary issues in a multicultural context.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
AUP's Communication, Media and Culture department delivers a rigorously academic yet practical liberal arts education, accredited under the American model, preparing ethical communicators and media creators without specific film accreditations noted.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
AUP alumni like journalist Christopher Knapp '18 leverage film storytelling for impactful careers; the program boasts strong networks via industry events, with no specific QS or Guardian rankings for Film Studies, but AUP's global focus drives employability in media, creative industries, and beyond.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At The American University of Paris, our Film Studies major immerses you in hands-on filmmaking right from the start, building practical skills through real-world projects that mirror professional production. You'll dive into creating short films, experimenting with new media art, and collaborating on communication materials for global partners, all while leveraging Paris's vibrant film scene for inspiration and access. This experiential approach—rooted in AUP's requirement for at least one non-credit CCX opportunity—helps you connect emotionally and intellectually with your craft, using all your senses to produce work that stands out in the industry.

Here's how our program equips you with the tools and experiences to thrive:
- Group projects and collaborations: Work in teams to produce short films and communication materials like social media content for NGOs during practicums, such as the Sustainable Development Practicum in Auroville, India.
- Field trips and international immersions: Join inter-semester trips to sites like Auroville or Pondicherry, applying film skills on location from mid-December to mid-January.
- Specialized labs and creative spaces: Access the Civic Media Lab for projects in new media art, sound & listening studies, podcasts, creative coding, and hacking—perfect for film experimentation.
- Core curriculum integration: Fulfill the Integrative Inquiry for the Global Explorer with experiential CCX opportunities tied to film, enhancing your ability to tackle aesthetic, cultural, and civic challenges through production.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At AUP, experiential learning is at the heart of the Film Studies major. You won't just sit in lectures discussing cinema—you'll actively create, produce, and engage with filmmaking as a lived practice. The university's philosophy emphasizes that students learn best when they're experiencing what they're studying, using all their senses to connect emotionally and intellectually with the material. This means you'll move beyond theory into hands-on production work, developing the technical and creative skills that professionals in the industry actually use.

As part of AUP's commitment to experiential learning, all undergraduates must complete at least one experiential learning opportunity (coded CCX) during their time at the university. For Film Studies students, this requirement becomes an exciting gateway to real-world projects and immersive learning experiences.

Here's what makes the Film program distinctive at AUP:

- Communication, Media and Culture Department: Film is one of four major programs offered within a liberal arts framework that encourages you to think critically and engage knowledgeably across the spectrum of media and cultural practices.

- Paris-based location: Your campus sits in central Paris with easy access to iconic film locations, museums, and cultural institutions—the city itself becomes an extended classroom and production location.

- Integrated project-based learning: The department emphasizes systematic explanation and critical thinking within a real-world context, preparing you to apply your skills immediately.

- Global perspective: AUP's curriculum connects you to international conversations about media and culture, enriching your creative vision.

- Professional development through CCX experiences: Beyond traditional coursework, you'll engage in non-credit experiential opportunities that enhance your academic, personal, and professional development.