School of Film
Outcome Goals for the M.F.A. Program
5/21/97
Overall Goal of the M.F.A. Program: The School of Film seeks to graduate the ôcomplete filmmakerö--a generalist and professional who can make quality films from concept to screening, who can succeed as an independent filmmaker, as part of
the film industries, in related fields, and can teach their craft and the history, theory and criticism of their craft and related
areas at the university level.
Specific outcome goals deemed necessary to reach this overall goal fall into four general categories: (1) Knowledge Base, (2) Technical Skills, (3) Non-technical Skills, and (4) Other Qualities:
1. Knowledge Base: how acquired when assessment
All M.F.A. graduates will be expected to demonstrate a knowledge of the following:
History of World Cinema Coursework yrs 1,2 Course embedded assessment
Methodologies of Film Scholarship Coursework yrs 1,2 Course embedded assessment
Classical and Contemporary film theory and criticism Coursework yrs 2,3 Course embedded assessment
Cultural Studies and Media Criticism Coursework yrs 2,3 Course embedded assessment
Aesthetics of Visual images and Sound Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review,thesis defense
Understanding of the history and current
developments in electronic media, dramatic arts,
music and art Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review,thesis defense
Contemporary Political Issues and Current Events Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review,thesis defense
Understanding of Current Developments and Trends
in the Film Arts and Emerging Technologies Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review,thesis defense
2. Technical Skills: how acquired when assessment
All M.F.A. graduates are expected to have the skills necessary to make a motion picture from its original
concept to its screening. These skills include:
Camera techniques Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Lighting techniques Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Cinematography Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Production Technologies Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Sound Recording Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Sound Post-Production and Mixing Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Editing Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Videography Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Digital Editing Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
Advanced Sound Coursework yr 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment + Portfolio review, Thesis defense
3. Non-Technical Skills: how acquired when assessment
All M.F.A. graduates are expected to have the following non-technical skills associated with professional filmmaking:
Research skills (both quantitative and qualitative) Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment plus
portfolio review/thesis defense
Screenwriting Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment plus
portfolio review/thesis defense
Directing Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment plus
portfolio review/thesis defense
Producing Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Course embedded assessment plus
portfolio review/thesis defense
Interpersonal Communication Skills Group projects yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review
Ability to work with a team Group projects yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review
Production Management skills Group projects yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review
Teaching skills Grad Assistantships yrs 1,2,3, Supervisor & course evaluations
Non-narrative filmmaking Coursework yrs 1,2,3 Advancement, portfolio review
4. Other Qualities of the M.F.A. Graduate: how acquired when assessment
Intellectual Curiosity Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2,3 Portfolio Review; thesis defense
Intellectual Judgement and Responsibility Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2,3 Portfolio Review, thesis defense
Critical Thinking Skills Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2,3 Portfolio Review, thesis defense
Sense of Social Responsibility Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2,3 Portfolio Review, thesis defense
Creative Vision Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2,3 Portfolio Review, thesis defense
Film Form and Film Sense Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2,3 Portfolio Review, thesis defense
Understanding of and Sensitivity to others and
other cultures Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2,3 Portfolio Review, thesis defense
Outcome Goals of the MA Program: The M.A. in International Film was developed upon examination by the faculty of current practices within the field of cinema studies at the graduate level, and directions implicit in current theoretical consideration of the medium, especially in cultural studies and analysis. The overall goal of the M.A. program is to prepare future scholars of international cinemas for further study at the doctoral level and to teach at the college or university levels.
1. Knowledge Base: how acquired when assessment
All M.A. graduates will be expected to demonstrate a knowledge of the following:
History of World Cinema Coursework yrs 1,2 course embedded assessment
Methodologies of Film Scholarship Coursework yrs 1,2 course embedded assessment
Classical and Contemporary film theory and criticism Coursework yrs 1,2 course embedded assessment
Cultural Studies and Media Criticism Coursework yrs 1,2 course embedded assessment
Aesthetics of Visual images and Sound Coursework yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam,thesis defense
Understanding of the history and current
developments in electronic media, dramatic arts,
music and art Coursework yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam,thesis defense
Contemporary Political Issues and Current Events Coursework yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam,thesis defense
Understanding of Current Developments and Trends
in the Film Arts and Emerging Technologies Coursework yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam,thesis defense
2. Advanced Critical Skills for M.A. Graduates: how acquired when assessment
M.A. graduates are expected to acquire a higher level of academic research, writing and teaching ability.
Acquire a set of critical vocabularies. Coursework yr 1 Course embedded assessment
Develop strategies for speaking and writing Coursework yrs 1,2 Course embedded assessment plus comprehensive
about film in an international context. exam, thesis defense public presentation
Develop a strong bibliographical background. Coursework yr 1 Course embedded assessment
Understand the current debates and direction Coursework yr 1,2 Course embedded assessment, comprehensive
in film history, theory and criticism. exam, thesis defense, public presentation
Synthesize the knowledge gained through Coursework and
coursework and related experiences. faculty mentoring yr 1,2 Comprehensive exam; thesis defense
3. Other Qualities of the M.A. Graduate: how acquired when assessment
Intellectual Curiosity Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam, thesis defense
Intellectual Judgement and Responsibility Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam, thesis defense
Critical Thinking Skills Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam, thesis defense
Sense of Social Responsibility Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam, thesis defense
Creative Vision Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam, thesis defense
Film Form and Film Sense Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam, thesis defense
Understanding of and Sensitivity to others and
other cultures Faculty mentoring and advising yrs 1,2 Comprehensive exam, thesis defense