Each Film 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 College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Student Services 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, the faculty advisors and Program staff are a valuable resource for the student. Academic folders for Film Studies majors are kept in the Film Studies Program Office (406A Humanities Office Bldg.) and may be reviewed by the student at any time (picture ID Required).
Important Dates for Fall 2008 Advising/Registration
March 19 through April 7 : Advising period
April 7 through 14 : Undergraduate VIP on-line registration appointments begin
Academic Advisement Guidelines (PDF): http://www.cas.sc.edu/ugrad/Guidelines2007.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 departmental major requirements, policies, and prerequisites (check), 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 Studies Program Office at 803-777-2339 or lhill@gwm.sc.edu
If you are a senior, you must have a senior check completed in the semester before graduation.
Two weeks before the start of advising, check the postings outside of the Film Studies Program Office (room 406A Welsh Humanities Office Building) to find your advisor's name and office number. Be sure to check the list each semester because students are sometimes assigned new advisors, depending on availability of faculty.
Sign up for an appointment with your advisor. Advisors will post sign-up sheets for appointments outside their offices.
Prepare for your advising appointment by first reviewing the master schedule and course descriptions and then working up a tentative list of courses you're interested in discussing with your advisor. Descriptions of Film Studies Program courses are available on the Film Studies Program website under Course Descriptions. The master schedule is available on-line at the registrar’s office. You also may want to consult the Film Studies major checklist and the Academic Advisement Guidelines detailing college requirements.
On the day of the appointment with your advisor, pick up your file from the Film Studies Program Office to take to your appointment. Because of privacy laws, a photo ID is required. During the appointment, your advisor will first review your progress toward completing your requirements (core, distribution, and major). Based on this review and your own interests, you will then decide on specific courses for next semester. In order to tailor a program of study that best suits your needs and interests, 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, return your folder and the pink and yellow copies of the advisement form to the Film Studies Program office so that you can be cleared to register.
Once you have been cleared, you can register on-line for your courses 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
One semester before graduation (e.g. the fall semester for a May graduation; spring for a summer or December graduation), students must have a senior check to prepare for graduation. 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 Studies Program Office at 803-777-2339 or Lawona Hill at lhill@gwm.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 Studies. In other words, Film Studies majors may earn a cognate or a minor in English, Comparative Literature, Media Arts, or Women’s 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 Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Mathematics, or the School of Music (Bachelor of Arts track only). You must complete all requirements (including general education courses and special departmental 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 Liberal Arts 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 Liberal Arts.
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 Studies Program Office (HUM 406A). This form then needs to be completed by the professor who will teach the course and then taken to the Undergraduate 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 Undergraduate Office. The petition must be approved by the Film 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.
