Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies Major
Major Requirements
The major consists of ten courses plus a thesis. A coherent program for each student's major is designed in accord with the following guidelines and in consultation with a member of the faculty in the Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies who is appointed as the student's departmental advisor. Students should consult with their major advisor about meeting their requirements.
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Core 1 | |
| Complete at least two courses from the following: | |
| What is Rhetoric? | |
| Introduction to Screen Studies | |
| White Redemption: Cinema and the Co-optation of African American History | |
| Performance | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| Introduction to Video Production | |
| Public Discourse | |
| Introduction to Argumentation | |
| Introduction to Voice and Speech | |
| Theory | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| Film Theory | |
| Rhetorical Criticism | |
| Television Criticism | |
| Race/Ethnicity | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| White Redemption: Cinema and the Co-optation of African American History | |
| Coming of Age While Black | |
| Race, Gender, and International Cinema | |
| Constructions of Italian American Men and Masculinities | |
| Conspiracy Rhetoric: Power, Politics, and Popular Culture | |
| Gender/Sexuality | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| Race, Gender, and International Cinema | |
| Constructions of Italian American Men and Masculinities | |
| Conspiracy Rhetoric: Power, Politics, and Popular Culture | |
| Lesbian and Gay Images in Film | |
| Television Criticism | |
| Seminars 2 | |
| Complete at least two courses from the following: | |
| The Rhetoric of Alien Abduction | |
| Presidential Campaign Rhetoric | |
| The Interracial Buddy Film | |
| Bollywood | |
| Screening Slavery: A Transnational Approach | |
| Additional Courses | |
| In consultation with a major advisor, students take two additional courses in Rhetoric, Film, or Screen Studies. These courses may be from within the department, offered by other departments or programs, or taken off campus. | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Complete at least one course from the following: | |
| Senior Thesis | |
| Senior Thesis | |
- 1
Taking all three courses is recommended.
- 2
Seminars must be taken with two different faculty members.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates
For the major, only the “Performance” requirement can be met outside the department. Students should consult with their advisor to determine if a course is eligible to meet the Performance requirement.
In consultation with a major advisor, students take two additional courses in rhetoric, film, or screen studies. These courses may be from within the department, offered by other departments or programs, or taken off campus.
Upon completion of courses taken outside the department, students need to complete the Departmental Course Approval Form available on the RFSS website.
Pass/Fail
Only one 100- or 200-level course may be taken Pass/Fail in fulfilling the major requirements.
Restricted Declarations
Students who have declared the Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies major may not declare the following:
- Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies minor
Other Considerations
Students may count one Short Term course toward the major, unless they are using a Short Term course to fulfill the performance requirement, in which case, students may use two Short Term courses to satisfy the major requirements.
Majors need to take two seminars -- with two different professors. Students may only take one “experiential” seminar (e.g., RFSS 391B Presidential Campaign Rhetoric).