Minor in Film Studies

The Minor in Film Studies at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) offers students from any major the opportunity to complement their degree with critical and creative understanding of cinema and moving-image culture. It suits students who want to analyse films, television, and digital media from artistic, cultural, and theoretical perspectives while gaining skills in visual literacy, storytelling, and media critique.

Curriculum structure

Overview:
Because this is a minor, the Film Studies courses are taken alongside a student’s primary major. The curriculum weaves theory and practice across a series of modules that progressively build analytical, historical, and creative competencies in film and media.

Year 1 (Foundational exposure):
Students begin with entry-level modules such as Introduction to Film Studies I and History of World Cinema, where they learn to recognise key elements of film form and narrative structures while situating films within broader cultural and historical contexts. Through guided screenings, discussion, and written analysis, students strengthen their visual literacy and understanding of how cinema reflects and shapes society. Early units often include Media and Society, which connects media content to contemporary cultural issues.

Year 2 (Intermediate analysis and creative insight):
In the middle stage of the minor, courses such as Film Theory, Genre Studies, and National Cinemas deepen students’ analytical frameworks by examining how films function as texts influenced by style, ideology, and audience. These modules combine critical writing and group projects that encourage students to interpret films through various theoretical lenses and compare cinema traditions across regions. The curriculum often integrates practical elements like Documentary and Non-Fiction Media, prompting students to consider creative approaches alongside scholarly analysis.

Year 3(Advanced exploration and synthesis):
In the final portion of the minor, advanced modules such as Advanced Film Studies and New Media and Digital Cultures challenge students to integrate historical, theoretical, and technological perspectives on moving images. Students may engage in research-driven assignments that culminate in a creative or analytical portfolio showing mastery of film interpretation, critical argumentation, and media theory. These modules prepare learners to articulate sophisticated insights into contemporary film, streaming media, and digital storytelling practices.

Focus areas (in a string):
Film history, film theory, genre analysis, national cinemas, documentary media, media and society, visual literacy, digital culture.

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Critically analyse films and media texts, apply historical and theoretical frameworks to cinema, articulate well-supported arguments about media practices, recognise cultural contexts in visual storytelling, and synthesise research in written and creative media formats.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The minor is offered within UAEU’s accredited undergraduate curriculum, following the national quality standards set by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation, and complements majors in humanities, arts, communication, and social sciences.

Reputation (employability rankings):
United Arab Emirates University is ranked among the top universities in the Arab region and globally in listings such as QS World University Rankings, enhancing the minor’s value; graduates with interdisciplinary skills in film and media have prospects in media analysis, cultural programming, content creation, education, and communications sectors.