The Most Interdisciplinary Major at Tufts?
Back in 2015, a group of Tufts deans, administrators, alumni, and media enthusiasts came together with a vision to expand the school’s offerings in communications and media. The Film and Media Studies department officially launched in 2016, with only six student majors. Just shy of its 10th anniversary, Film and Media Studies has become one of the fastest-growing majors at Tufts.
I stumbled into the Film and Media major almost by accident. I was looking for a communications major, and Film and Media Studies seemed like the next-closest thing. What I didn't realize at the time was that the education I gained through the Film and Media Studies department was far more valuable and transferable to the real world than a major solely focused on communication theory.
As media and communications have evolved in the 21st century, marketing and advertising have moved further beyond traditional boundaries, becoming increasingly intertwined with the world of film, video content, and content creation. What makes the Film and Media Studies (FMS) program special is its commitment to interdisciplinary studies – the department is super flexible, letting students take classes from across the university, giving us the tools to keep up with media's ever-changing landscape.
During my time at Tufts, I have taken courses spanning film theory, media ethics, journalism, public relations and marketing, video production, and more. These classes have given me a unique perspective on how media works, and an analytical guide through which to view the art and production of marketing content and campaigns.
The FMS department also boasts a robust internship and career center. Support from the FMS internship department helped me land a PR internship and a Strategic Marketing internship for academic credit, and helped me network with alumni in the media and entertainment industry, providing insight into their professional journeys.
But what surprised me the most, beyond career stuff and academics, was that the FMS department uncovered a passion I had for cinema as an art form. After completing my major last spring, I set a personal goal for myself to continue my film education. With some help from my dad, I compiled a list of “classics” I had yet to see. Will I ever make it through the list? Probably not. Still I am grateful for the major I stumbled upon, and the journey I have taken over the past few years at Tufts because of it.
In case you were wondering, Saving Private Ryan currently holds my number 1 spot on the new movie rankings. Of course, I'm open to any new suggestions if anyone reading wants to send them along.