A major in film studies will enable you to examine and analyze classic and contemporary film through the lenses of history, theory, and practice. You’ll receive a solid foundation in the history of film and have the opportunity to screen and discuss specific film genres, directors, and cinematic traditions and movements. You’ll engage with various interpretations of culture, history, and world events as they unfold on screen. You can even write and develop your own film script.
At Nebraska, you’ll learn from some of the most prolific and renowned scholars of film in the United States. You’ll also have the opportunity to supplement your study of film with courses in popular culture, music, visual culture, communication studies, ethnic literature, rhetoric, and performing arts.
Academics + Experience = Opportunities
Complement academic preparation with experiential learning, creating more opportunities after graduation. Talk to an academic advisor and a career coach about making the most of your time at Nebraska.
Four-year success plan
What to do each year
Catalog
Major requirements and courses
Printable summary
With sample four-year schedule
Transferrable Career Skills
- Communicate clearly using different forms of writing to and for a variety of different audiences
- Develop and defend evidence based arguments
- Analyze and interpret difficult texts
- Use various methods of literary analysis
- Support and communicate claims using clear evidence
- Express ideas creatively
- Advocate for marginalized or underrepresented groups
- Communicate confidently and appropriately with individuals of different cultures
- Comprehend and critically evaluate complex information
- Defend and discuss complex issues from multiple angles
Experience
Experience is valuable and goes beyond the classroom. We strive to help you connect your academics with research, internships, education abroad, service learning and leadership experiences in film studies, such as:
- Interning with Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France
- Learn more about internships
- Researching international cinema
- Learn more about undergraduate research
- Studying abroad in Singapore
- Learn more about education abroad
- Joining Cinema 16, the student filmmaking group
- Learn more about getting involved in student organizations
- Volunteering with Humanities Nebraska
- Learn more about service learning
Opportunities
Career opportunities in this area are nearly unlimited and include: archival work at major studios and museums, publicity work, teaching film studies, reviewing and / or writing for newspapers and magazines, and screenwriting. These jobs are available on the local level, as well as in major metropolitan centers such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Examples of Alumni Careers
- Assistant Professor, London School of Economics
- Associate Professor of Film Studies, York College
- CEO, Far From Everything Films
- Entertainment Reporter, Omaha World Herald
- Film Archivist, UCLA Film and TV Archive
- Film Marketing Specialist, AMC Theaters
- Librarian, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
- Location Director, Fox and Cinemax
- Producer, Lords of Dogtown
- Production Manager, Buzzfeed Motion Pictures
- Special Effects CGI Director, Steven Spielberg
Examples of Graduate Schools Attended by Alumni
- Master's Degree, Cinema and Media Studies, University of California-Los Angeles
- Master's Degree, Secondary English Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
“My dream job would be to work on a movie set animation, visual effects, working the camera, or even working in the art department. Film Studies gives me the tools I need to explore the context of films, analyze and critique them, and create films of my own.”
Hang Yuan
Film Studies at Nebraska
Film studies is a humanities major in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Our liberal arts degrees provide a broad education across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, preparing students for a variety of careers.
Let curiosity move you.
Contact Us
Academic and Career Advising Center
107 Oldfather Hall
402-472-4190
casadvising@unl.edu
English Major Concentrations
As an English or Film Studies major, you design your own concentration - a program of study based on your areas of interest, organized around a controlling theme or topic. If your interests span multiple disciplines, your concentration might even include a course from another department.
English at the University of Nebraska can be generally divided into six different research and teaching areas. Though your undergraduate concentration will be tailored to your specific interests, concentrations often fall within one or more of these areas.
Choosing a Concentration
To choose a concentration, contact the English & Film Studies Advising Office early in your program. In consultation with your academic advisor and faculty in your area of interest, you'll select four courses above the 299 level that fit your chosen theme or topic.
Wondering where to start? Take a look at these fact sheets from the Advising Office that highlight a number of popular concentrations: