Film Studies

What is Film Studies?

Think of your favorite film. What did you like about it? The story? The characters? The action? The overall look? If audiovisual culture means more to you than just entertainment, this may be the right major for you.

Students in UWM’s Film Studies program learn about the history, theory and criticism of film and television. We discuss and write about these areas critically; make connections between these media, historical themes and cultural change; analyze the impact of film and television on individuals and society; and compare different media formats.

UWM’s Film Studies program offers a cross-department major and minor that blends courses in Film Studies with classes from English, Art History, Comparative Literature, French, Italian, and Japanese. The program promotes the study of cinema and television in their aesthetic, social, cultural, political and technological contexts and expands students’ understanding of cinema and television as essential components of our global culture.

Professor Szczepaniak-Gillece featured on “Lake Effect”

Professor and Director of Film Studies Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece was featured on WUWM’s “Lake Effect,” Monday, May 22, 2023. She spoke about “trash cinema” and her class on that subject. Click here to listen to the full program. Read more →

Teaching Media Archives Symposium

The Teaching Media Archives Symposium will be hosted virtually by UWM on Friday, November 4th, 2:00PM – 4:30PM CST via Zoom – Register here. The Teaching Media Archives Symposium brings together film and media scholars, teachers, and archivists to exchange... Read more →

Film Studies Faculty Featured on CBS 58 “Sunday Morning Spotlight”

Film Studies Professors Tami Williams and Jocelyn Szczepaniak-Gillece were featured on Milwaukee CBS 58 “Sunday Morning Spotlight” on October 30th. They spoke about UWM’s Home Movie Day event, which occurred on October 15th. You can watch the entire feature on... Read more →

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

College of Letters & ScienceFilm Studies Program

Discover the history, theory and criticism of film and television