Certificate

Certificate in

AMERICAN FILM AND TELEVISION STUDIES

Certified Focus as Part of the “Free Elective Courses”

of a Degree Program at the University of Graz

§ I. Tasks and Structure of the Program

The Certificate “American Film and Television Studies,” directed and organized by the Professorship of American Studies II (at the Department of American Studies), Research Area of American Literary and Cultural History with a Focus on (Trans-)Nationality and Space, offers an additional curriculum that complements and extends a given course of study. The curriculum is organized by the Professorship of American Studies II and supported by courses at the Department of Art History, the Departments of Fundamental Theology and Religious Studies, as well as the Center for Jewish Studies. Practice-oriented courses are provided by the Department of Corporate Leadership and Entrepreneurship. The certified focus can be taken as free electives and is accredited with a certificate from the University of Graz. The certified focus is available to all bachelor and master students at the University of Graz who wish to acquire qualifications in the field of U.S.-American film and television research. It is particularly aimed at those students who see their future careers in the U.S. or in employment sectors in Europe that cooperate with the U.S. entertainment industry.

§ II. Learning Objectives of the Module

The certified focus provides students with extensive theoretical knowledge in the field of U.S. cinema and television. In addition to theoretical film- and cultural expertise, there is a practice-oriented focus that provides concrete experience in the U.S. film and television industry (1-week Film Summer School) and emphasizes the business-related levels of project management and marketing; additionally, students need to complete an obligatory four-week internship of 40 hours per week in a media company. Through this combination, the aim of the certified focus is to provide students with the necessary theoretical and historical basic knowledge in addition to establishing links to economic processes in general and to the American film and television business in particular.

The certified focus is designed to enhance students' familiarity with basic elements of American cinema and television, but also provides a useful tool for planning and promoting film- and television-related projects. At the same time, students learn to effectively combine creativity and methodical work in a practice-oriented workshop. Students will learn skills that are helpful for the entire duration of their studies and that increase their overall career prospects, even if they decide to work outside of film and television. The focus provides insights into key aspects of the American film and television industry, and offers students the opportunity to gain a foothold in a booming professional field. In addition, it substantially increases the interdisciplinary and intercultural competence of students through its broad academic selection and the possibility of a stay abroad.

§ III. Organization of the Certified Focus

(1) The certified focus is constituted primarily of free elective courses, comprising a total of 18-24 ECTS credits. A maximum of 50% of the ECTS credits required for the certificate may come from compulsory and optional courses taken as part of the student’s regular major. Subject to availability, courses from the curricula of English/American Studies, Art History, and the Center for Jewish Studies can be utilized for this; furthermore, the Departments of Fundamental Theology and Religious Studies (Catholic Theology Department), and the Department of Corporate Leadership and Entrepreneurship (at the School of Business, Economics, and Social Sciences) offer courses that can be accredited for the certificate.

IMPORTANT: The CuKo Art History allows all thematically fitting courses to be used and accredited for the certificate, no matter their module correlation.

(2) The teaching and learning activities of the certified focus consist of lectures (VO/VU) and courses (PS, KS & SE) dealing with selected aspects of American film and television culture and their theoretical classification (modules 1-3), as well as practice-oriented elements (modules 4-5).

(3) Achievements to be completed for the “American Film and Television Studies” certificate:

1. Introduction to Paradigms of Film Theory and Analysis [3-4 ECTS]

2. Survey of Film History [3-4 ECTS]

3. Advanced Studies in Film and Television [3-5 ECTS]

4. Social and Economic Context [3-5 ECTS]

5. Internship/Professional Practice [6 ECTS]

OVERALL                                                                   18-24 ECTS

§ IV.  Certification

(1) After successful completion of the courses, students will receive a certificate for completion of studies in the total amount of 18-24 ECTS credits.

(2) The certificate is issued by the head of the program.

§ V.   Requirements

The module is open to all bachelor and master students at the University of Graz.

§ VI.  Frequency of Module Offering

All courses can be completed within one and a half years of study (3 semesters).

§ VII. Management and Organization

(1) The direction, organization, and content coordination of the certified focus is carried out by the Professorship of American Studies II (at the Department of American Studies), Research Area of American Literary and Cultural History with a Focus on (Trans-)Nationality and Space.

(2) The annual program of the certified focus is published on the homepage (https://amerikanistik.uni-graz.at/de/trans-nationality-space/).