» Recommended Classes for First-Year Film & Media Studies Majors

Here are the classes that we recommend you take during your first year as a Film & Media Studies major at Chapman. 

For your first semester, we recommend taking 12-15 credits (most classes are 3 credits; some classes with labs are 4). You must be enrolled in 12 credits to be considered a full-time status student. The recommended courses below will put you at 15 credits per semester (fall and spring). 

Introductory Math Requirement

As an incoming first-year student, you must take a math assessment. If you place into Math 100 (Learning and Studying Mathematics for Understanding), then you must enroll in this course in your first year (fall or spring semester). For more information, visit our Math Assessment webpage. 

General Education Classes 

You can choose a General Education (GE) class from any GE category – it’s your choice. In general, the following GE areas are recommended to begin/complete during your first year:

  • GE Language Study (strongly recommended)
  • GE Quantitative Inquiry

Note: Some GE courses may “double count” with your major or minor. Students can share up to 9 credits between major and GE requirements and can share up to 6 credits between minor and GE requirements. Visit the General Education Program site to review the GE policies and see a list of approved courses for each GE area.

You may be able to fulfill some of your GE requirements with classes from your major:

FTV 140/140L Fulflills AI 
FS 244/244L Fullfills AI or SI 
FS 245/245L Fullfills AI or SI 

 

Fall Semester

FMST Majors are part of the Block Scheduling program for first-year students in the Fall 2023 semester. You will be pre-registered by the department in two FMST courses in May/June. You can then build the rest of your schedule around these required major courses.

FTV 140/140L - Introduction to Film & Media Aesthetics, Lecture & Laboratory (block scheduled) 
Credits: 3

Note: FTV 140L is the "lab" component course that must be taken with the FTV 140 lecture.

FS 244/244L - History of Film to 1959, Lecture & Laboratory (block scheduled) 
Credits: 3

Note: FS 244L is the "lab" component course that must be taken with the FS 244 lecture.

FFC 100 - You Choose! 
Credits: 3

All first-year students at Chapman have to take First Year Foundations. The class will introduce you to college and there is a different topic for every major.

Certain major programs require that their students take a specific FFC course, or give you a choice from a list of FFC courses specific to the major. If you are in a major that doesn't require you to take a specific FFC course, then you will be directed to choose from a listing of all FFC course options for Fall 2023. See the First-Year Focus GE page for your major’s list of FFC options.

GE class
Credits: 3

GE class
Credits: 3

Spring Semester

FTV 130 - Introduction to Visual Storytelling 
Credits: 3

FS 245/245L - History or Film 1960, Lecture and Laboratory 
Credits: 3

Note: FS 245L is the "lab" component course that must be taken with the FS 245 lecture.

GE Class
Credits: 3

Any GE class/minor exploration
Credits: 3

Any GE class/minor exploration
Credits: 3