Course Listings
Film Production
Major in Film Production
49 credit hours
- COMM 101 Introduction to Communication3
- COMM 200 Communication Practice1
- COMM 202 Purposeful Presentation3
- COMM 212 Digital Media Production3
- COMM 240 Communication Research3
- COMM 265 Screenwriting3
- COMM 270 Media, Law & Ethics3
- COMM 312 Advanced Digital Media Production3
- COMM 386 Film3
- COMM 409 Internship2
- COMM 410 Senior Seminar3
- COMM 411 Film Capstone Research1
- COMM 413 Senior Film Capstone3
- Two additional production courses:6
- One Theater department course 200 level and above3
- COMM 390 LA Film Industry Intensive6
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates in Film Production will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of core communication principles and research methods.
- Create a diverse multimedia portfolio.
- Demonstrate a set of professional skills and competencies.
- Engage the campus and community through co-curricular media involvement.
- Demonstrate learning and competence in completing one or more internships.
- Report that courses and other collegiate training prepared them for a position in communication or a related career.
- Engage in meaningful discussion about media, professionalism, and ethics.
- Connect to the film industry and produce a capstone film that demonstrates a level of mastery of the film form in their senior year.
Planning guide for film production majors:
| First Year | Goshen Core Intro to Communication Digital Media Production Other 200-level courses in major |
| Second Year | Goshen Core Advanced Digital Media Production Other 200 and 300-level courses in major SST |
| Third Year | Goshen Core May Term in LA Courses in major Film Capstone Research |
| Fourth Year | Balance of Goshen Core May Term in LA Balance of major Senior Seminar Senior Film Capstone |
Planning and Advising Notes
This major cannot be completed solely in residence at Goshen College. It requires one May Term in LA with our Comm 390 LA Film Industry Intensive term or an approved alternative off-campus program, including Comm 409. In order to register for the LA Film Industry Intensive, a student must be in good standing with the department, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and not have any outstanding holds on their account. The student will be responsible for additional trip costs for the May Term LA Film Industry Intensive course that will cover travel, some meals, lodging, short film production costs, and other costs. The May Term semester will be 4 credit hours plus an additional 2 credit hours that the students will pay for above and beyond the trip costs.
Students may not earn a major in film production and also a major in theater with a film studies concentration. It is, however, possible to earn a second major in theater with a different concentration area.
All film production majors must earn a grade of C- or higher in all courses required for their major and/or minor. Failure to attain this level of achievement requires the student to either repeat the course (for specific requirements) or take an additional course (an option for elective courses) and achieve a grade of C- or higher.
A maximum of 46 credit hours in communication courses may be applied to a degree. Also, no more than 12 credit hours in experiential learning (Comm 209, 409 or 412) may be applied.
Minor in Film Production
18 credit hours
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a minor in Film Production will:
- Comprehend a core of knowledge in the field.
- Create a diverse portfolio that reflects multimedia storytelling.
- Demonstrate a set of professional skills and competencies in their practice of film production.
Planning and Advising Notes
This minor cannot be completed solely in residence at Goshen College. It requires one May Term in LA with our Comm 390 LA Film Industry Intensive term, or an approved alternative off-campus program, including Comm 409. In order to register for the LA Film Industry Intensive, a student must be in good standing with the department, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and not have any outstanding holds on their account. The student will be responsible for additional trip costs for the May Term LA Film Industry Intensive course that will cover travel, some meals, lodging, short film production costs and other costs. The May Term semester will be 4 credit hours plus an additional 2 credit hours that the students will pay for above and beyond the trip costs.
All film production minors must earn a grade of C- or higher in all courses required for their major and/or minor. Failure to attain this level of achievement requires the student to either repeat the course (for specific requirements) or take an additional course (an option for elective courses) and achieve a grade of C- or higher.
COMM 101 Introduction to Communication
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of communication, exploring its fundamental concepts, theories, and practices. Students will engage in self-assessment and career exploration, gaining insight into both traditional and emerging professional opportunities in the communication disciplines. Topics...
COMM 200 Communication Practice
Applied work in communication with The Record, Globe Media, FiveCore Media, the Public Relations Student Society of America, or other on-campus communication activity. A maximum of two hours applicable toward a communication major or minor. Consent of instructor required.
COMM 202 Purposeful Presentation
Students will polish their skills in public speaking, facilitation and active listening. Focusing on content creation and message delivery, this course is designed to provide practical experience in impromptu speaking, formulating and delivering persuasive arguments and effectively utilizing images and...
COMM 212 Digital Media Production
An introduction to digital media with an emphasis on field video production. The primary goal of the course is the development of the necessary video and audio skills and understandings needed to create effective digital media messages. Secondary goals include...
COMM 240 Communication Research
An introduction to theory building and research methodology of mass communication. Course focuses on the practical aspects of communication research, providing a framework for conducting quantitative and qualitative research..
COMM 265 Screenwriting
This foundational screenwriting course introduces students to the core principles of storytelling for the screen. Students will explore screenplay structure, character development, dialogue, and visual storytelling, while learning to craft compelling narratives for short films and feature-length projects. Through writing...
COMM 270 Media, Law & Ethics
The course provides an introduction to the U.S. legal system and the major principles of media law. The course will cover issues like access to information, accuracy, conflicts of interest, deception, fairness, libel, obscenity, plagiarism and privacy. Students will devote...
COMM 312 Advanced Digital Media Production
Advanced study of digital media production with an emphasis on “storytelling” through field video production. The primary goal of the course is the development of advanced skills and understandings needed to create effective and professional digital media messages. Secondary goals...
COMM 386 Film
Survey of film as art, literature and mass medium. Historical development; authors and genres; philosophical, economic and political issues. A selection of 12 films for detailed study. Emphasis on “reading” film, understanding the medium’s function and exploring contemporary cinematic issues.
COMM 390 LA Film Industry Intensive
This May Term intensive course will expose students to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and Hollywood as well as give them hands on film production training. Students will visit studios, film offices and professionals in the industry to make...
COMM 409 Internship
Experiential learning, usually in an off-campus professional setting, for communication majors and minors. The student contracts with a faculty member in regard to goals, performance expectations, supervision, evaluation and course subtitle. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
COMM 410 Senior Seminar
Senior Seminar offers a consideration of ethical and professional issues in the fields of art, communication, English, and theater. Assignments include information interviews with practitioners in the respective fields, oral presentations, and the preparation of a capstone portfolio and polished...
COMM 411 Film Capstone Research
This course prepares students for their senior capstone project of an original short film project by creating a structure that will guide production. At the end of this course a student will have a finished script and pre-production plan. Students...
COMM 413 Senior Film Capstone
Senior film production majors produce an original short film that must be ten-twenty minutes in length, demonstrate a high production value, and show clear and creative storytelling. Students must also organize a formal and public screening as part of their...