Off-Campus Studies can help Film and Media Studies students…

  • Gain exposure to different cultural contexts in which the media the student is studying are produced, distributed, exhibited, and consumed
  • Develop a global perspective
  • Gain primary research skills from field studies or work with primary sources
  • Expand cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills
  • Prepare for an increasingly diverse and international workplace

How does a semester or year of OCS help students in Film and Media Studies prepare for graduate school or various career opportunities? 

  • Off campus study definitely broadens students' horizons and gives them a better sense of how media is created and perceived around the world.

As a general rule of thumb, the Film and Media Studies Department recommends the following for students who wish to study off campus.

  • Film and Media Studies majors should take FMS 160 Intro to Film Studies prior to off-campus studies in their junior year.
  • Spring semester is preferable for FMS majors because FMS 387 Film & Media Studies Theory is required of juniors and usually only offered in the fall semester at Whitman.

Which requirements can Film and Media Studies majors fulfill while off campus?

  • Elective major credit
  • A film and media studies related course
  • General Studies distribution credit
  • General degree credit

Major Credit Limitations

  • The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the Film and Media Studies major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 8 credits with the approval of your major adviser.

Minor Credit Limitations

  • A minimum of three-fifths of the specific course and credit requirements for the minor must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.

What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the Film and Media Studies department?

  • Direct enrollment in a foreign university with local students
  • Field study program with opportunities to engage in research with the local community

Which Partner Programs are recommended by the Film and Media Studies department?

There are many study abroad and US-based Partner Programs that offer curricula that complement the academic program for Film and Media Studies majors.  FMS students who wish to attend a program that has multiple offerings in film studies and film/video production courses or offers a media related internship should consider the following programs:

  • CIEE: Prague Film Studies (Czech Republic)
  • IES: Queen Mary, University of London (England)
  • University of East Anglia (UEA) (Norwich, England)
  • University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand)
  • The Philadelphia Center (TPC) (Philadelphia, PA)

Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.