COURSE CURRICULUM

The Cinema program at the University of Lethbridge offers a structured sequence of courses that combine film theory, history, criticism, and hands-on production training. Students begin with foundational courses such as Introduction to Cinema Studies, which explores narrative film elements like cinematography, editing, sound, and storytelling structure, and Introduction to Filmmaking, which develops basic directing, camera, and editing skills. As students progress, they study Cinema History and Theory, which examines global film movements and critical approaches to cinema. Intermediate courses include Contemporary American Cinema, Film Authorship, Documentary Film Studies, Film Noir and Crime Cinema, and Film Comedy, all of which focus on genre analysis, film criticism, and cultural context. Technical and creative studio courses such as Cinematography and Lighting, Editing and Post-Production, and Script Development and Pre-Production provide practical skills in filmmaking processes. Advanced courses like Short Film Production allow students to create original films through intensive hands-on work in directing, producing, and editing. Additional specialized courses include Screenwriting, Writing for Comedy, History of Animation, and Screen Acting, which explore storytelling, performance, and media creation across different formats. Together, these courses provide a balanced education in both theory and practice, preparing students for careers in film production, screenwriting, media analysis, television, digital content creation, and other creative industries within the global media landscape.