S.ll-128
SFU
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC AND PROVOST
8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC
TEL: 778.782.3925
Canada V5A 1S6
FAX: 778.782.5876
MEMORANDUM
ATTENTION
FROM
RE:
Senate
Jon Driver, Vice-President, Academic and
Provost, and Chair, SCUP
Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology: Full Program Proposal for a BacheloVof Arts in
Cinema Studies (SCUP 11 42)
DATE
October 19, 2011
PAGES 1/1
www.sfu. ca/ vpacademic
At its October 12, 2011 meeting SCUP reviewed and approved the Full Program Proposal for a Bachelor
of Arts in Cinema Studies(Major, Minor, and Honours) within the Faculty IpfCommunication, Art and
Technology.
\J
Motion
That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors the Full Program Proposal for a Bachelor
of Arts in Cinema Studies (Major, Minor, and Honours) within the Faculty of Communication, Art and
Technology.
encl.
c: C. Pavsek
SIMON PHASER UNIVERSITY
THINKING OF THE WORLD
SFU
MEMORANDUM
ATTENTION
FROM
RE:
SCUP 11-42
OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATEVICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC AND
ASSOCIATE PROVOST
8888 University Drive,
Burnaby, BC
Canada V5A1S6
TEL: 778.782.4636
FAX: 778.782.5876
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic
Senate Committee on University Priorities
date
September 15,2011
Bill Krane, Chair
pages
1/1
Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology (SCUS 11-43)
ftEVlS€t>
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies at its meeting of September
15,2011, gives rise to the following recommendation:
Motion:
That SCUP approve and recommend to Senate the Full Program Proposal for the B.A. in
Cinema Studies within the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology*
The relevant documentation for review by SCUP is attached.
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
THINKING OF THE WORLD
October 19,2011
From:
Christopher Pavsek
Assistant Professor in Film
School for the Contemporary Arts
Simon Fraser University
To:
Jon Driver
Vice President, Academic
Chair, Senate Committee on University Priorities
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC
Iattach this cover letter to the Full Program Proposal (FPP) for a BA in Cinema Studies to answer some
questions and respond to some feedback received from SCUP regarding the initial Notice of Intent
(NOI) and the FPP.
A question arose at the NOI stage about the anticipated enrolment in the program. As we discussed in
Senate in our September meeting in regard to certificate programs, enrolments are very difficult to
predict. I surveyed halfa dozen programs in Canada to see what sorts of numbers they get, though it is
not entirely clear what comparative value the results would have, given that the structures of the
programs vary so widely, ranging from entire schools/faculties devoted to cinema, enrolling dozens upon
dozens
of students per year (Concordia), to small majors within non-cinema departments like English,
enrolling halfa dozen majors or so per year (U. Alberta).
One response, from the film program at UBC, however, is very telling, I believe. Though their program
is not as robust as ours is projected to be (in terms of courses offered and the numbers of faculty
involved) they receive 15-25 applicants to the major each year. This year (2011-12) they admitted 18
students to the major.
Given this, and given the enthusiasm that Iencounter for the major from undergrads enrolled in my film
studies courses, I have included an estimate
of an initial enrolment of 6-10 majors. However, we hope
for potential growth to approximately 18 majors per year as the program develops. If necessary,
entrance requirements for the BA in Cinema Studies can be modified to restrict enrolment to
manageable levels.
A question arose concerning the need for additional resources, since, as indicated in the NOI, demand
for film courses has been high. The remark in the NOI about students being"turned away" applies
primarily to classes in film production, and the BA does not require any courses in production.
However, the point is well taken, and the School for Contemporary Arts is committed to meeting
increased demand through
the addition of tutorials and sections of upper level courses. I should
reaffirm, though, that this will not involve the creation of any new courses.
There were concerns about available classroom space on the Vancouver campus: for a 400-level course,
we have rooms available in Woodward's; for larger seminars, classrooms in Woodward's might work,
or space can be sought in Burnaby or Surrey if none is available at Harbour Centre.
Questions were posed about the program's interdisciplinarity, given that no courses are specifically
required outside of Contemporary Arts. First, Iwould like to affirm that we sincerely hope that students
will build courses of study that take full advantage of courses outside of Contemporary Arts and that
this program will contribute to the interdisciplinary and collaborative vision that was at the heart of the
founding of FCAT as a faculty. Indeed, through advising we will encourage them to do precisely this.
Second, even if a student were to construct a program entirely out of courses in Contemporary Arts,
the program would be significantly interdisciplinary, given both that the approaches and methods used in
many of the courses in the upper and lower
divisions are interdisciplinary in nature and that the School
for the Contemporary Arts is inherently interdisciplinary, offering programs in five arts and in art and
culture studies. Finally, as with any major at SFU, students must satisfy the University's "Breadth"
requirements and thus must take courses in a range of areas outside of their major.
We anticipatethat this program will attract students from across Canada as well as internationally. The
School is currently preparing plans for better promotion and publicity (including a revamped website),
and the BA will benefit from these plans.
Sincerely,
Christopher Pavsek
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION, ART, AND TECHNOLOGY
FULL PROGRAM PROPOSAL
B.A. in Cinema Studies (Major, Minor, and Honours)
Executive Summary:
The program in Cinema Studies is designed for students interested in the study of the
history and aesthetics of cinema and related moving image arts from the earliest beginnings of
the medium in the late 19th century to the present. The course of studies will be forward-
looking, linking the earliest experiments with the moving image and sound to contemporary
digital media and their multiple applications. The program will permit students to draw on the
interdisciplinary expertise of faculty from three schools in the Faculty of Communication, Art,
and Technology as well as faculty in departments in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. In
addition, it benefits from its adjacencyto the BFA program in film, as well as other areas of
Contemporary Arts.
With our move to downtown Vancouver and our residence in the Goldcorp Centre for
the Arts, interest in the School is increasingand we would like to offer more opportunities for
students to engage with the School outside of our traditional core studio offerings in art
creation and performance. We see a BA in Cinema Studies (as a degree distinct from the BFA
in Film which is a production-based major) and its Minor as an opportunity to expand access to
our programs to a variety of students who are not necessarily interested in pursuing film
production, but rather the study of cinema and moving images more generally.
As an acknowledged centre of film production in North America, Vancouver is an ideal
location for a BAin Cinema Studies. The film area in the School for the Contemporary Arts
already has strong connections to the local industry, and these connections will also benefit
students in cinema studies as we further develop opportunities for experiential education and
community engagement.
In addition to preparing students for the ever-growing realm of the creative economy,
of which Vancouver is an acknowledged centre, it
will provide students with the knowledge and
critical acumen they need
to address the suffusion of our liveswith imagery and sounds of all
sorts in the form of cinema, online imagery, televisual imagery and more. A critical
understanding of the origins, meanings, uses, and influences of this pervasive presence in the
contemporary world is essential for engaged citizenship today.
To this end, the curriculum is designed to provide students with both a solid core
knowledge through a series of required lower division and upper division courses within the
School for the Contemporary Arts as well as the flexibility to design a course of study that
meets their particular interests through the selection of courses from a wide range of electives
drawn from Contemporary Arts and the other departments participating in the program. While
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
the core methodology will be broadly humanistic, incorporating historical, interpretive and
theoretical approaches, students will be able to explore other methodologies as well in their
elective courses in those departments whose faculty employ and teach different approaches to
cinema and the related arts.
The program will be built upon a solid foundation of pre-existing courses in
Contemporary Arts and other departments in the university. Required and optional courses for
the degree will be drawn primarily from Contemporary Arts, Communication, SIAT, English,
French, and Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies (with which Contemporary Arts shares a
joint faculty appointment). On occasion, and by permission, students may also count toward
their major courses offered in other departments at SFU where cinema is taught.
In addition to the program's distinctive characteristics outlined inthe Notice of Intent,
we would also like to point out the uniqueness of the Honours BA in Cinema Studies which has
equivalent requirements to the other Honours programs in the School for the Contemporary
Arts. In addition to providing the opportunity for more intensive and comprehensive study of
cinema and related arts, the Honours BAoffers an opportunity for students to pursue
interdisciplinary collaborations in other areas of study within the School.
Note: In response to feedback from SCUP, the Full Program Proposal differs from the original
program as described in the Notice of Intent submitted to SCUP in 2009.
These changes include:
--
the addition of a Minor in Cinema Studies. The Minor in Cinema Studies will replace
the current Minor in Film and Video Studies, which will be discontinued. Separate notice
of discontinuation will be submitted to Senate.
- the addition of an Honours Program in Cinema Studies. This program is designed to
correspond to the other honours programs in the School for the Contemporary Arts
and has equivalent requirements.
~ the program will now be direct entry.
In addition,
the following change has been made:
— anticipated start date is now September 2012.
Credentials to be awarded:
BA in Cinema Studies
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
BA in Cinema Studies with Honours
Minor in Cinema Studies
Program location:
Contemporary Arts, SFU, Vancouver. Since the majority of faculty
associated with the program are appointed in Contemporary Arts, this is its logical location.
Faculties, Departments and Schools offering courses in the program:
FCAT: Contemporary Arts; Communication; SIAT.
FASS: English; Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies.
Admission to the program:
Admission to the Major or Minor in Cinema Studies will be by
direct entry.
To apply for entry into the Honours Program in Cinema Studies, students complete the same
lower and upper division requirements as the major program. Students must have a minimum
3.5 GPA in courses for their major and a minimum 3.0 CGPA. To complete the program, 132
units are required, including the selection of listed courses, and maintenance of a minimum 3.5
GPA in upper-division courses chosen for the Honours Program.
Anticipated enrolment:
We anticipate admitting 6 to 10 majors initially.
Anticipated program start date:
September 2012 for students internal to SFU. January
2013 for students new to SFU.
Library impact:
Since the BAis composed of courses that are already in the calendar, no
additional library resources are needed.
Curriculum:
I.
Student outcomes:
Students who complete the BA in Cinema Studies will have gained a comprehensive
education in
the field of humanistic inquiry into the study of cinema and related moving
image arts. Students will graduate with a knowledge of
the historical development of
cinema as a medium, an art form, and an institution, from its earliest beginnings as a
19th-century
screen entertainment to its most recent manifestations in the expanding
and evolving realms of digital media. Students will also graduate with a sound knowledge
of diverse methodologies of the study of cinema and moving images.
While the core methodology by which students will learn will be broadly humanistic,
incorporating a range of historical, interpretive and theoretical approaches, in their
elective courses students will be able to explore other methodologies in depth. Students
will be able to take advantage of courses taught by faculty in Communication who work
in a humanistic vein but also in the tradition of the social sciences and policy studies; and
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
they will be ableto take courses from faculty in SIAT who are expert in the
technological and design elements of digital moving-image arts.
At the lower division, students will acquire core knowledge in required courses that will
form the basis for exploring a variety of topics in lower- and upper-division electives. At
the upper division, the three required courses will deepen students' theoretical
understanding of cinema, provide greater exposure to the breadth of film traditions and
history, and sustain a cohort experience amongst the students. The majority of courses
in the upper division are electives, however, and this will allow students to tailor their
program to their individual interests and needs.
2. Curricular requirements:
For the Major:
Basic SFU requirements for a B.A. degree will apply.
At the lower division level students will be required to take at least 21 units
including two introductory core courses (FPA 136-3 and 137-3) and three 200-
level classes (FPA 235-3, 236-3, and 237-3). 6 units of electives must also be
taken.
At the upper division level, students must take at least 28 units of classes
including FPA 335-4, 337-4, and 436-4, and one of 319W or 338W, as well as 13
units of electives.
For the Minor:
At the lower division level, students will complete 12 units, including FPA 136-3
and 137-3, and two of FPA 235-4, 236-3, or 237-3.
At the upper division level, students will complete a minimum of 18 units
including 335-4, 337-4, and 436-4, as well as two upper-division electives.
For Honours:
Students must complete 132 units total. Requirements include 12 additional
credits of upper-division courses over and above the requirements for the B.A.
The Honours program is designed to correspond to the general requirements of
the Honours programs in the other fields in the School for the Contemporary
Arts.
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
No work experience/work place term is required for the degree. However, we are
working
to arrange Co-op education opportunities for interested students.
Appendix A provides a list of upper and lower division courses.
3. Course structure and class size:
Lower division courses include large lecture courses, most with tutorials, as well as
smaller seminars. Upper division courses are primarily seminars ranging from 18 to 35
students.
Faculty:
The proposed BA in Cinema Studies isthe result of work conducted by a steering
committee made up
of faculty from Communication, Contemporary Arts, and SIAT. Because
the curriculum is composed of courses already in the calendar, no additional time beyond that
already committed to the courses they alreadyteach is required for the program. Faculty
members committed to teaching in the program include:
Jim Bizzocchi, SIAT: Interactive Narrative, Poetics of the Moving Image, Video Art, Game
Design, New Media.
Colin Browne, Contemporary Arts: Documentary & innovative film production; Canadian and
documentary cinemas; poetry; fiction; screenplay; poetics; interdisciplinary performance; critical
writing.
Zoe Druick, Communication: Cultural industries; documentary and reality-based media; media
theory.
Peter Dickinson, English: Canadian cinema; queer cinema and theory.
Michael Filimowicz, SIAT: Electroacoustic Music, Experimental Video, Digital Photography,
Sound Design, Creative Writing,
Public Art.
Martin Gotfrit, Contemporary Arts: Electroacoustic music, film sound design, composition and
scoring for film.
Patricia Gruben, Contemporary Arts: Canadian cinema; cinema studies; screenwriting and
directing.
Helen Hok-Sze Leung, Gender, Sexuality &Women's Studies: Queer Cinema & Screen
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
Cultures; Queer Cultural Politics in Asia; Hong Kong Culture; Nationalisms and New Media in
Sinophone Culture.
Jacqueline Levitin, Contemporary Arts and Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies: Women's
film; documentary film and media; film theory.
Laura Marks, Contemporary Arts: Film theory; Arab cinema and world cinema; new media and
media art.
Christopher Pavsek, Contemporary Arts: European cinema; avant-garde and political cinema;
film theory and critical theory.
Gaelle Planchenault, French: French cinema, literature, and popular culture.
In addition, other faculty members in these departments, as well as faculty from a number of
other departments including Archaeology, History, Humanities and Sociology and Anthropology
regularly teach courses of direct relevance and applicability to the major in cinema studies.
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
Appendix A: Detailed Program Requirements
Major: Students complete 49 units (out of SFU'sgeneral requirement of 120 units for a B.A.
degrees) as specified below.
Students must complete 21 units in total including:
FPA 136-3 History and Aesthetics of Cinema I
FPA 137-3 History and Aesthetics of Cinema II
FPA 235-3 Experimental Film and Video
FPA 236-3 Cinema in Canada
FPA 237-3 Selected Topics in Film and Video Studies
as well as at least 6 units from the following courses:
FPA 111-3 Issues in the Fine and Performing Arts
FPA 167-3 Visual Art and Culture I
FPA 168-3 Visual Art and Culture II
FPA 210-3 Artworks, Theories, Contexts
FPA 232-3 Film Sound
FPA 238W-3 Screenwriting I
FPA 289-3 Selected Topics in the Fine and Performing Arts**
CMNS 110-3 Introduction to Communication Studies
CMNS 130-3 Communication and Social Change
CMNS 210-3 Media History
CMNS 221-3 Media and Popular Cultures
CMNS 223-3 Advertising as Social Communication
CMNS 230-3 The Cultural Industries in Canada: Global Context
CMNS 253-3 Introduction to Information Technology: The New Media
CMNS 258-3 Introduction to Electroacoustic Communication
GSWS 205-3 Women and Popular Culture
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
Upper division requirements:
Students must complete a total of 28 units including:
FPA 335-4 Film Theory (title pending change from "Introduction to Film Theory")
FPA 337-4 Intermediate Selected Topics in Film and Video Studies*
FPA 436-4 Advanced Seminar in Film and Video Studies*
and one of:
FPA 319W-3 Critical Writing in the Arts
FPA 338W-3 Screenwriting II
Remaining units can be drawn from related courses offered in other departments
throughout the university including***:
CMNS 310-4 Media and Modernity
CMNS 322-4 Documentary Media
CMNS 333-4 Broadcast Policy and Regulation in the Global Context****
CMNS 334-4 Cultural Policy****
CMNS 357-4 Audio Media Analysis****
CMNS 363-6 Approaches to Media and Audience Research****
CMNS 488-4 Selected Topics in Communication */**
ENGL 376-4 (Special Studies) */**
ENGL 383-4 (Studies in Popular Literature and Culture) */**
ENGL 482-4 (Topics in Cultural Studies) */**
ENGL 484-4 (Topics in Literature and Media)
ENGL 486-4 (Topics in Gender, Sexuality and Literature) */**
FPA 308-4 Contemporary Arts Field School I (Theory/History)**
FPA 310-4 Interdisciplinary Methods
FPA 311-4 Interdisciplinary Studies in the Arts
FPA 312-3 Intermediate Seminar in Art and Culture**
FPA 314-3 Readings in Art and Culture Studies*/**
FPA 319W-3 Critical Writing in the Arts
FPA 337-4 Intermediate Selected Topics in Film and Video Studies*
FPA 338W-3 Screenwriting II
FPA 389-3 Selected Topics in the Fine and Performing Arts II**
FPA408-4 Contemporary Arts Field School III (Theory/History)**
FPA 412-4 Advanced Seminar in Art and Culture Studies*/**
FPA414-3 Advanced Topic in the History of Art and Culture*/**
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
FPA 416-3 Practices in Art and Culture*/**
FPA 436-4 Advanced Seminar in Film and Video Studies*
FREN 352-3 French and Francophone Cultures through Films and/or Media Texts**
FREN 452-3 Topics in French and Francophone Cultures or Cinemas**
IAT 313-3 Narrative and New Media
IAT 443-3 Interactive Video
GSWS 401-4 Local Sex on Global Screen (Pending Senate Approval)
GSWS 412-5 Women and Film, Films and Theories
* Can be repeated as an elective ifthe topic of the course changes.
** Only when the topic is cinema/media/theory of relevance; prior approval required.
*** Other courses devoted to film or video are occasionally offered by other
departments. With prior permission, students may substitute one or more of these
courses to fulfill requirements, up to a maximum of eight units. See the director of the
Film BA or the undergraduate advisor for a current list of other related offerings.
****Please check the specific prerequisites for these courses before including them in
your program.
Minor: Students complete 30 units (out of SFU's general requirement of 120 units for a B.A.
degrees) as specified below.
At the lower division level, students will complete 12 units, including FPA 136-3 and
137-3, and two of FPA 235-3, 236-3 or 237-3.
At the upper division level, students will complete a minimum of 18 units including FPA
335-4, 337-4, and 436-4, as well as two upper-division electives to be chosen from the
upper division course list for the major.
Honours:
The Honours Program in Cinema Studies is designed to coordinate with the other
Honours programs in the School for the Contemporary Arts and reflect the interdisciplinary
nature of the School.
Student must complete the requirements for the BA in Cinema Studies plus:
V
12 upper division units including:
6 units in upper division courses from the list of elective courses for the major.
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
10
Plus the remaining necessary units to be drawn from courses listed below.
(Placement in courses is based on prerequisites and or permission from
instructor.)
FPA 305-3 Explorations in Contemporary Arts I
FPA 319W-3 Critical Writing in the Arts
FPA 389-3 Selected Topics in Fine and Performing Arts II
FPA 405-5 Explorations in Contemporary Arts II
FPA 485-5 Collaboration
FPA 489-5 Interdisciplinary Project in FPA (repeatable for credit)
FPA 341-3 World Music
FPA 347-4 Electroacoustic Music II
FPA 348-3 Conducting II
FPA 445-4 Music Composition V
FPA 447-4 Computer Music Composition
FPA 325-3 Special Project in Dance Composition
FPA 425-4 Intensive Studies in Performance
FPA 426-3 Dance/Movement Analysis
FPA 352-3 Playmaking III
FPA 353-4 Playmaking IV
FPA 450-4 Advanced Studio Skills
FPA 472-3 Production Practicum V
FPA 473-6 Production Practicum VI
FPA 453-4 Theory and Practice of Directing
FPA 457-3 Context of Theatre
FPA 362-3 Methods and Concepts: Drawing-based Practices
FPA 363-3 Methods and Concepts: Painting Practices
FPA 364-3 Methods and Concepts: Sculptural Practices
FPA 365-3 Methods and Concepts: Photo-based Practices
FPA 368-3 Methods and Concepts: Spatial Presentation
FPA 369-3 Methods and Concepts: Selected Topics
FPA 335-4 Introduction to Film Theory
FPA 337-4 Intermediate Selected Topics in Film and Video Studies
FPA 436-4 Advanced Seminar in Film and Video Studies
Film Studies related courses outside Contemporary Arts taken with Area
approval.
FPA 400-3 Directed Studies (Studio)
FPA 401-3 Directed Studies (Theory/History)
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
FPA 402-4 Directed Studies (Studio)
FPA 403-4 Directed Studies (Theory/History)
FPA 404-5 Directed Studies (Studio)
FPA 308-4 Contemporary Arts Field School I (Theory /History)
FPA 309-4 Contemporary Arts Field School II (Studio)
FPA 408-4 Contemporary Arts Field School III (Theory /History)
FPA 409-4 Contemporary Arts Field School IV (Studio)
FPA 310-4 Interdisciplinary Methods in Art and Culture Studies
FPA 312-3 Selected Topics in Art and Culture Studies
FPA 314-3 Readings in the History of Art and Culture
FPA 317-4 Introduction to Performance Studies
FPA 389-3 Selected Topics in Fine and Performing Arts
FPA 411-3 Interdisciplinary Studies in the Contemporary Arts
FPA 412-4 Advanced Seminar in Art and Culture Studies
FPA 414-3 Advanced Topic in the History of Art and Culture
FPA 416-3 Practices in Art and Culture
Full Program Proposal: BA in Cinema Studies
12
Appendix B: Related Programs at other post-secondary institutions in British
Columbia.
One other undergraduate film studies BA degree is offered in British Columbia, a BA in Film
Studies at UBC which is more conventionally disciplinary in its approach. The proposed BA in
Cinema Studies at SFU, in keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the School for the
Contemporary Arts and the
Faculty of Communication, Art and Culture, will offer a significant
interdisciplinary component and will be taught by scholars of Cinema, Media, Art and Culture
Studies, Digital Art, Art History, Interactive Technologies, and Communication as well as by
scholar/filmmakers who bring
to their teaching a practical understanding of production and
post-production processes and the changing relationship between moving images, sound and
technology.
Capilano University offers a Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts (BMPA) but its focus is almost
exclusively on
film and video production and includes almost no academic or humanistic study
of cinema or related arts.
The University of Victoria offers a minor in Film Studies through its General Program. No
major is offered.
Notice of Intent: B.A. in Cinema Studies
School for the Contemporary Arts
Simon Fraser University
May 10, 2009
Credential to be awarded:
BA in Cinema Studies
Program location and justification:
The School for the Contemporary Arts at Woodward's.
Faculties, Departments and Schools offering the program:
FCAT: Contemporary Arts, Communication, SIAT
FASS: English
Anticipated program start date:
September 2010
Description:
The goal of the BA in Cinema Studies degree is to offer a comprehensive, in-depth education in the
expanding field of humanistic inquiry into cinema studies. The program will encompass twentieth and
twentieth-first century developments in moving image studies; students
will graduate with a knowledge of
the historical development of cinema as a medium, an art form and an institution, from its inception
through to its contemporary manifestations in expanding realms of digital media. Students will graduate
with a sound knowledge of the theoretical methodologies associated with the study of cinema and an
understanding of the social, cultural and political contexts in which cinema has developed since its
emergence in the late 19th century.
Our aim is to bring together, in a single, coherent, innovative program, the diverse and interdisciplinary
expertise of faculty with interests in cinema studies across the university.
Anticipated contribution to the mandate and strategic plan of the institution:
The proposed BAcontributes in a number of ways to the university'sstrategic plan. Its innovative
interdisciplinary
nature not only supports a key initiative of the President'sAgenda (2005-2009), which
calls for increased interdisciplinarity, but also contributes to the advancement of interdepartmental
collaboration envisioned by the new Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology, drawing as it does
on faculty from Communication, SIAT and Contemporary Arts. Itwill take advantage of the already
existing synergy between departments in the new faculty. In addition, the timing for this proposal could
not be better, as itwill be introduced during the first full year of Contemporary Arts occupation of the
Woodward's building and willcontribute to creating a new profile for the School.
This program is built upon and extends the School'slongstanding role in the training and development of
film artists. Vancouver is the third largest film production centre in North America. The proposed BA In
Cinema Studies will reinforce the University'sand the province'songoing commitment to education in art,
culture and society, and in the process willhelp support and further develop a cultural industry that is vital
to the future of our region, our province and our nation.
Target Audience:
Students registering for the BA will be undergraduates from across Canada—and internationally —who
are interested in the study of cinema from a historical and theoretical perspective. The program will
interest students wishing to pursue careers in the arts as well as those wishing to pursue graduate study
in the growing number of graduate programs in cinema studies, media studies and related fields. A BA in
Cinema Studies is an asset to those working in the film and media industries, in national or provincial
cultural
agencies, film distribution and exhibition, film festival management and programming and
governmental regulatory and policy-making bodies.
Content:
The degree willrequire a minimum of 21 units at the lower division and 28 at the upper division. The
program will be built upon a solid foundation of pre-existing courses in Contemporary Arts and other
departments in the university. Required and optional courses for the degree will be drawn from
Contemporary Arts, English, Communication, SIAT and Women's Studies, and, on occasion, by
permission, from courses devoted to cinema in other departments.
Delivery Methods:
Since the program is based upon existing courses, the standard delivery methods will be those already in
place for on-campus education. Lecture/Lab/Tutorial will be used.
Linkages between learning outcomes and curriculum design:
The curriculum is designed to provide Film Majors with a common core curriculum as well as the freedom
to design a program tailored to their specific interests.
No workplace term or work
experience required.
Distinctive characteristics:
The BAin Cinema Studies, housed in FCAT with its core group of faculty in Contemporary Arts, will draw
on the interdisciplinary strengths of the CA faculty. The program will offer students a unique opportunity to
study cinema inthe context of the other arts and media with which itemerged and with which it has been
in constant dialogue throughout its more than 100 year history.
Drawing on faculty and courses in Communication, Contemporary Arts, FASS and SIAT, the program will
expose students to a diverse set of approaches to the study of cinema. The adjacency to the multiple
BFA
programs in the School for the Contemporary Arts will provide a stimulating environment for students
pursuing cinema studies, and the interaction between student filmmakers in the BFA Film program and
their counterparts in the BA Cinema Studies program will enhance both programs.
Professional relationships with the Praxis Centre for Screenwriters, the Vancouver International Film
Festival, the Pacific Cinematheque Pacifique, the DOXA Documentary Film Festival and other film
organizations exist at present, and we intend to strengthen these relationships in order to explore
potential pedagogical links and student internships. The proximity to the offices of the National Film Board
of Canada at Woodward'swillfurther enhance our specialization in the cinemas of Canada.
Anticipated completion time:
Four years.
Enrolment plan for the length of the program:
Students may apply for entry into the BAin Cinema Studies program after completing FPA 136-3 The
History and Aesthetics of Cinema Iand FPA 137-3 The History and Aesthetics of Cinema II. A
Coordinating Committee will screen all applicants and set the level and number of admissions per year.
Initially, the number of students admitted will be limited, with an anticipated maximum number of 10 per
year.
Policies on student evaluation (degree requirements):
As per general regulations of the University and FCAT.
Policies on faculty appointment (minimum qualifications):
Continuing faculty will hold a PhD or equivalent.
Policies on program assessment:
All academic units at SFU are subject to external review every six years.
Level of support and recognition from other post-secondary institutions (including plans for
admission and transfer within BC) and relevant regulatory or professional bodies:
As per SFU'stransfer credit procedures, students may transfer from BC colleges or universities to enroll
into this program. There is no applicable regulatory or professional body for Cinema Studies in BC.
Evidence of student interest and labour market demand:
Student inquiries about a BAin Cinema Studies have increased markedly over the past few years.
Enrolment in film courses is very high; we'reoften forced to turn students away. FPA 136 and FPA 137
have increased in size from 90 in 2005/6 to 162 for 2009/2010 and we anticipate further growth in the
coming years with a goal of 300. Many of these students, we believe, would be interested in an
opportunity to pursue a major in Cinema Studies.
In addition, we believe that the major will attract students to SFU who mightotherwise not apply.
Cinema Studies students have the opportunity to pursue graduate study in the field at a growing number
of graduate programs in film, media and cultural studies. The lower mainland offers multiple opportunities
for employment in the arts and related fields.
Summary of resources required and available to implement the program:
We anticipate no additional resources or faculty to implement the program beyond those necessary for
the continued maintenance of courses already offered. The program's curriculum consists entirely of
courses already in the calendar.
Programs or associated resources that will be reduced or eliminated:
None.
List of faculty members:
The proposed BAin Cinema Studies is the result of work conducted by a steering committee made up of
faculty from several departments. Faculty members committed to teaching in the program are:
Jim Bizzocchi, SIAT: Interactive Narrative, Poetics of the Moving Image, Video Art, Game Design,
New Media.
Colin Browne, Contemporary Arts: Documentary & innovative film production; Canadian and
documentary cinemas; poetry; fiction; screenplay; poetics; interdisciplinary performance.
Zoe Druick, Communication: Cultural institutions; documentary media; visual technologies; media
and politics; discourse analysis; cultural theory.
Peter Dickinson, English: Canadian cinema; queer cinema and theory.
Michael Filmowicz, SIAT: Electroacoustic Music, Experimental Video, Digital Photography,
Sound Design, Creative Writing, Public Art.
Martin Gotfrit, Contemporary Arts: Electroacoustic music, film sound design, composition and
scoring for film
Patricia Gruben, Contemporary Arts: Canadian cinema; cinema studies; screenwriting and
directing.
Jacqueline Levitin, Contemporary Arts and Women's Studies: Women's film; documentary film
and media; film theory.
Laura Marks, Contemporary Arts: Film theory; Arab cinema and world cinema; new media and
media art.
Christopher Pavsek, Contemporary Arts: European cinema; avant-garde and political cinema; film
theory and critical theory.
Chris Welsby, Contemporary Arts: Avant garde film and video making, photography and time-
based gallery installations, film studies.
Related programs at SFU and other British Columbia post-secondary institutions:
One other undergraduate filmstudies degree is offered in British Columbia, a BA in FilmStudies at UBC
which is traditional in its approach. The proposed BAin Cinema Studies at SFU, in keeping with the
nature of Contemporary Arts and FCAT, takes an expanded approach and will offer a significant
interdisciplinary component and will be taught by scholars of Cinema, Media, Art and Culture Studies,
Digital Art, Art History, Interactive Technologies and Communication and as well as by scholar/filmmakers
who bring to their teaching a practical understanding of production and post-production processes and
the changing relationship between moving images, sound and technology.
Contact information for the faculty member responsible for program development:
Christopher Pavsek, Contemporary Arts. cpavsek(S>sfu.ca
778-782-4672
