Editorial:

Film studies major gives MU an edge

Published Oct. 27, 2009

In the next few years, MU will make a Bachelor of Arts in film studies degree available. Although a minor in film studies has been available since 2000, the UM system Board of Curators voted Friday to green light the new major.

Approving a new degree program might seem like a risky decision with the university's financial situation, but film studies Director Roger Cook said the department already offers enough courses to offer a major in film studies.

The majority of classes offered in film studies right now are cross-listed with other departments, including English, psychology and most of the foreign language departments. This allows more people to take these classes without having to hire additional faculty.

The next step in the process to make the subject a major will be to set a curriculum in order to get a degree. Cook said faculty would be revising some of the introductory courses, as well as creating a capstone course.

But the university is not in a position right now to throw tons of money at film studies to hire new professors and expand the program. If the department can make a major out of the resources they have now, they should hire a minimal amount of additional staff, if any.

The university should build on what the film studies program already offers, but it should keep budget woes in mind.

Once the program is implemented and the economy has (hopefully) rebounded a little bit, MU should consider expanding it.

This major is a great step in the right direction. Students have been asking for a film studies major for several years. Students began asking for a major soon after a film studies minor was established. It is fantastic that the Board of Curators listened to the students' desires.

Adding a film studies major allows the university to be more competitive with other Big 12 schools. Of the Big 12 schools, six offer a film studies major: University of Colorado, University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas and Baylor.

We are in constant competition with the Big 12 in just about every area. Having a film studies major will allow us to recruit students who might otherwise rule us out because we could only offer a minor.

If KU can offer a film studies degree, MU definitely can.