English Film Studies

The Film Studies option within the English major is designed to prepare students for a range of professional careers in areas such as film criticism, video production, and the teaching of film, as well as graduate programs in film studies.

Program Learning Goals


English Film Studies Requirements
*Note: These requirements will take effect at the start of Fall 2021. Majors are welcome to remain in the plan that they are currently following, or to shift to the new program plan once the Fall 2021 semester begins.

General Requirements: Students majoring in English must complete a total of 39 hours in English. A minimum of 27 hours must be earned in upper-division courses.  None of the required 39 hours may be taken Pass/Fail. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in all major courses taken at CU Denver and must achieve a minimum cumulative major GPA of 2.0.  A minimum of 15 upper-division hours of work in the English Major must be taken with the CU Denver English faculty. Core composition courses ENGL 1010, 1020, and 2030 do not count toward the English Major.  

Advanced Standing:  CLEP and AP credit will not count toward the English Major or the English Writing Major.  Such credit is awarded at the 1000 level and may apply toward the College writing requirement (ENGL 1020) or counted as general electives.  Check with CLAS Advising for details

Minors:  The English Department also offers minors in Creative Writing, Literature and English Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology. Courses counted in a minor cannot be counted toward the major. 

Honors Program:  Latin Honors may be earned by participating in the department’s Honors Program. You are encouraged to begin the program in your junior year. The program requires additional coursework and affords you the opportunity to work individually with the professor of your choice. Handouts are available in the English office.

Internships: Internships are also available to students who have completed over 60 credit hours; for information, contact The Experiential Learning Center.

Catalog Link

I.  Required Courses (15 credit hours) 

*Repeatable if a different topic/genre/director 

  • ENGL 2450 Introduction to Literature and Film 
  • ENGL 3200 From Literature to Film 
  • ENGL 3070 Studies in Film History*  
  • ENGL 3080 Global Cinema* 
  • ENGL 4420 Film Theory and Criticism  

(note: students should complete 3070 or 3080 prior to enrolling in 4420) 

II. Critical Studies Area Requirements (24 hours): Choose 8 courses

  • ENGL 1601 Storytelling: Literature, Film & Television 
  • ENGL 2390 Writing the Short Script 
  • ENGL 2600 Greatest Hits
  • ENGL 3001 Critical Writing 
  • ENGL 3070 Studies in Film History* 
  • ENGL 3075 Film Genres*  
  • ENGL 3080 Global Cinema*   
  • ENGL 3085 Film Directors*  
  • ENGL 3300-3324 Topics in Film*  
  • ENGL 3415 Screenwriting Workshop 
  • ENGL_____  Any 3000 or 4000 Level Literature Course 
  • ENGL 4190 Advanced Topics in Writing and Digital Studies* (film focused only; e.g., Film and Rhetoric) 
  • ENGL 4770 Topics in English: Film and Literature* 
  • ENGL 4771 Topics in English: Film* 
  • ENGL 4773 Topics in English: Film and Lit: Am Lit* 
  • ENGL 4774 Topics in English: Film and Lit: Before 1650* 
  • ENGL 4775 Topics in English: Film and Lit: 1650-1900* 
  • ENGL 4776 Topics in English: Film and Lit: After 1900* 
  • ENGL4990 Senior Writing Project in Creative Writing or Film Studies 

To complete this major: 39 hours