Each Film and Media Studies major is assigned an advisor who will assist the student in planning courses for the next semester in the context of long-term plans and graduation requirements. We are committed to good advising and encourage students to come to us with any questions or concerns.
Prior to registration, the Film and Media Studies Program Office will notify all majors about their advisors and the time for fall and spring advising. While meeting requirements is ultimately the student's responsibility, our faculty advisors and staff are a valuable resource for the student. Academic folders for majors are kept in the Film and Media Studies office (406A Humanities Office Bldg.) and may be reviewed by the student at any time (picture ID required).
Important Dates for Spring 2012 Advising/Registration
October 24, 2011 - November 7, 2011: Advising period
November 7, 2011: Undergraduate VIP on-line registration appointments begin
Academic Advisement Guidelines (PDF): http://www.cas.sc.edu/ugrad/2008ASGuidelines.pdf
(for questions regarding academic advising, general college requirements, placement test scores or foreign language placement )
Minors Bulletin (PDF)
(for questions regarding specific departmental minor guidelines)
New Student Handbook (PDF)
(for questions regarding major requirements, policies, prerequisites, withdrawals, academic deficiency, GPA calculations, and other relevant information for new and transfer students)
Advising Step by Step
The following steps are necessary for your advisement to go smoothly. If you have questions, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions. For more information, you may contact the Film and Media Studies office at 803-777-2339 or lhill@mailbox.sc.edu
If you are a senior, you must have a senior check all completed in the semester before graduation.
Several days before the start of advising, an email will be sent to you with a link to access the advisement calendar of your advisor. You can also contact your advisor or the Film and Media Studies office via email if you encounter any problems signing up for an advisement time.
Please prepare for your advising appointment. Review the courses you have completed and take time to look for classes that are of interest to you and that fulfill your remaining requirements. Descriptions of Film and Media Studies Program courses are available on our website under "Courses". The master schedule is available on-line at the registrar’s office. You also may want to consult the Film and Media Studies major checklist and the Academic Advisement Guidelines detailing college requirements.
Before your appointment please work up a tentative list of courses to discuss with your advisor. This is a good time to ask questions about career plans, including graduate or professional school.
Once you have decided on your courses, you and your advisor will complete and sign the advisement form (you will keep the white copy). Then, the pink and yellow copies of the advisement form to the Film and Media Studies office so that you can be cleared to register.
Once you have been cleared, you can register on-line for your courses through VIP on the assigned date. Courses fill up quickly so it is important that you register as early as your scheduled time allows; delays can result in students not getting their first choices in classes and times.
Senior Checks
A new process hasbeen initiated for the official Senior Check procedure. Students are required to complete their Senior Check after reaching 90 credit hours (two semesters before their scheduled graduation). Senior checks are not to be done during the advisement period. To schedule a senior check, email your advisor.
It is essential that you complete the senior check to insure that you have met university, college, and major requirements. The senior check is a two-step process: it begins in the department and concludes in the dean's office. If you fail to complete both steps, you will not graduate.
Advising Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of our most Frequently Asked Questions. You should also read the step by step guide to advising, as well as review the general information about the advising process.
If you don't see your question, contact the Film and Media Studies Program Office at 803-777-2339 or Lawona Hill at lhill@mailbox.sc.edu.
What is a cognate?
Requirements for cognates are available in the Academic Advising Guidelines (pdf) booklet. The cognate is supposed to be a coherent set of courses (12 hours) that support the major. Cognate courses may be cross-listed with Film and Media Studies. For example, Film and Media Studies majors may earn a cognate or a minor in English, Comparative Literature, Media Arts, or Women's and Gender Studies. However, cross-listed courses that count toward the cognate may not be double-counted toward the major.
How do I declare a minor?
Once you have declared a major, you may declare a minor by completing an Application for Minor form in the Dean’s office (Gambrell 258). See the Minors Bulletin for a complete list of available minors.
What is a second major?
If you’re a student in the College of Liberal Arts, you may complete a second major within the College of Arts & Sciences, or the School of Music (Bachelor of Arts track only). You must complete all requirements (including general education courses and program requirements) as well as the major requirements for the second major. A second major eliminates the cognate. You may request a second major by completing an application form in the Dean’s office (Gambrell 258).
What is a second degree?
You may pursue a second undergraduate degree if you complete all requirements for both degrees and if you complete a minimum of 24 semester hours beyond those required for the first degree and a minimum of 144 semester hours. Additionally, courses accepted toward any requirements (general education, major, cognate or minor) for the first degree are not applied to the major requirements for the second degree. Students pursuing second degrees are urged to consult with both deans early in the process.
How do I change my major?
In most cases, you can change your major within the College of Arts and Sciences by simply completing the necessary form in the Dean’s office (Gambrell 258). Some majors have special admission requirements and procedures; ask the Dean’s office about this. If you want to change to another college within the University, you must be accepted by that college. See the Dean’s office of that college for information on eligibility requirements. If you are eligible, return to the Dean’s office to be released from the College of Arts and Sciences.
When should I take a foreign language? It is advisable to complete the foreign language requirement early in the program in order to avoid delay in progress toward graduation in the event that you have difficulty with the proficiency test. Guidelines for Foreign Language Placement are listed in the Academic Advising Guidelines (pdf) booklet.
How do I take an Independent Study or Internship?
You may pick up the appropriate form from the Film and Media Studies office (HUM 406A). This form then needs to be completed by the professor who will teach the course and then taken to the Film and Media Studies office and the Dean’s Office for approval.
What is the process for petitioning for a requirement waiver?
If a student wishes to petition the College Standards and Petitions committee to waive a college requirement, s/he obtains the appropriate petition form from the Dean’s office (Gambrell 258) and submits it, along with a letter of petition, to the office of Film and Media Studies. The petition must be approved by the Film and Media Studies Program Director before going to the College committee for decision.
What happens if I repeat a course?
Students cannot receive credit for the same course more than once. If a student passes a course and then repeats it in an attempt to get a higher grade, only ONE semester counts toward graduation. If a student has transfer credit from another school whose courses cover the material of one or more USC courses, that student CANNOT take the USC equivalent.
