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Film and Media Studies A.A. Degree

This program is designed to develop critical thinking and screenwriting skills while fostering a humanistic and social scientific understanding of the media.  Students combine hands-on courses in scriptwriting, with critical studies of the visual media as an art form and social force.  This major is particularly encouraged for students who intend to transfer to university film & media programs or pursue careers with high visual literacy, analytic, and writing skills.   This map also meets the AA degree for Film/Digital Cinema Production. 

Total Units:
60-62

First Year

Semester 1

15-16 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
FMS 300 Z
Introduction to Film Studies
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area I
CRC Area II(a)-Writing Competency Z
3
Recommend meeting with a counselor
F, S, Su
CRC Area II(a)
CRC Area II(b)-Math Competency Z
3-4
Recommend meeting with a counselor
F, S, Su
CRC Area II(b)
CRC Area V(a)-American Institutions Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area V(a)
Elective 1
3
F, S, Su
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

1 Suggestion-PHOTO 301 Beginning Photo or PHOTO 302 Beginning Digital Photo (3 units); F, S; Meets requirement for AA in Film/Digital Cinema Production. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

Semester 2

16 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
FMS 305 1 Z
Film History I (1895-1949)
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area I
JOUR 310 2 Z
Mass Media and Society
3
F(O), S(O), Su
CRC Area V(b)
FMS 310 Z
Introduction to Screenwriting
3
ENGWR 300 or Equivalent
F, S
CRC Area I
RTVF 330
Beginning Single Camera Production
3
F, S
CRC Area IV-Natural Sciences Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area IV
CRC Area III(a)-Physical Edu Activity Z
1
F, S, Su
CRC Area III(a)
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

1 Also listed as RTVF 305

2 Also listed as RTVF 300

Year 2

Semester 3

14-15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
CRC Area III(b)-Life Development Skills Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area III(b)
CRC Area VI-Ethnic/ Multicultural Studies Z
3
F, S, Su
CRC Area VI
Elective 1
2-3
F, S, Su
Elective 2
3
F, S, Su
Elective 3
3
F, S, Su
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

1 Suggestion-RTVF 362 Digital Non-Linear Video Editing (3 units); F; meets the requirement for AA in Film/Digital Cinema Production. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

2 Suggestion-RTVF 319 Digital Audio Production (3 units); F, S; meets the requirement for AA in Film/Digital Cinema Production. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

3 Suggestion-RTVF 350 Intermediate Film/Digital Cinema Production (3 units); Pre-req: RTVF 330; F; meets the requirement for AA in Film/Digital Cinema. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

Semester 4

15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered* GE Area
FMS 320 Z
Film Genre
3
F, S
CRC Area I
Elective 1
3
F, S, Su
Elective 2
3
F, S, Su
Elective 3
3
F, S, Su
Elective 4
3
F, S, Su
Z At least one section of this course is offered with free textbooks and is labeled as zero textbook costs (ZTC). If it is a GE area class or elective, there may be several ZTC offerings to fulfill the GE requirement. Use the Free Textbook filter to find these courses. Learn more on the ZTC page of the college website.

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “C” or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available  (P) = partially online

1 Suggestion-RTVF 360 Intro to Motion Graphics: Adobe After Effects (3 units); F, S; Meets requirement for the AA in Film/Digital Cinema Production. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

2 Suggestion-RTVF 365 Intermediating Film & Video Editing (3 units); Pre-req: RTVF 362; S. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

3 Suggestion-RTVF 331 Beginning Television Studio Production (3 units); F, S. Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

4 Suggestion-RTVF 376 (also listed as MKT 314) Advertising (3 units); S(O). Units needed to total 60 units for graduation. Refer to Course Number for the appropriate course level necessary for the degree.

Career Options/Outlook:

Creative writers are just one of the many career opportunities possible.  Creative writers create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry, or song lyrics, for publication or performance.  Some career opportunities require more than an associate degree.

A sample of reported job titles:

Director, Entertainment Writer or Editor, Producer, Screenwriter, Script Supervisor, Story Editor, Animation Producer, Associate Producer, Executive Producer, Producer, Promotions Producer, Radio Producer, Television Producer

Projected job openings for creative writers in California (2020-2030):

3,360

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

11% growth

Median Salary in California with advanced degree (2021):

$128,060/yr

Transfer notes:

Please meet with a counselor for specific transfer course evaluation or transferring to a specific 4-year institution.

General Education (GE):

Non-specified GE courses identified by CRC Area, CSU Area or IGETC Area without pre- or co-requisite can be taken at any semester.

Honors option:

The CRC Honors Program is designed specifically for academically accomplished students and for students with the potential for high achievement. Students who complete 15 units or more in honors-designated courses will earn special recognition as an Honors Scholar, a distinction that may entitle the student to guaranteed transfer and scholarship opportunities at select transfer colleges and universities.

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Published May 17, 2023

Counselor Faculty Contact: Mike Chappell   | Faculty Contact: Rubina Gulati

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