
Program Roadmaps
Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.
Scholarships at NHCC
One scholarship application automatically considers you for any NHCC scholarship you're eligible for. Awards range from $500 to $5,000.
Film Emphasis Curriculum
Course Code | Title | Course Outlines | Goal Areas | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
TFT 1250 | Introduction to Film | View-TFT 1250 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1270 | Digital Video Production | View-TFT 1270 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1280 | Introduction to Screenwriting | View-TFT 1280 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1310 | American Cinema | View-TFT 1310 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1320 | World Cinema | View-TFT 1320 | n/a | 3 |
Course Title: Introduction to Film Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course is an introduction to the history and techniques of entertaining and communicating ideas through motion pictures. The course consists of viewing, analyzing, discussing and writing about films as a means of understanding visual communication and developing greater visual literacy.
Course Title: Digital Video Production Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course introduces basic video production concepts and techniques with an emphasis on using the elements of motion and sound as creative artistic tools. Students will critically analyze video in terms of genre, context, meaning, visual language and form and then produce and edit their own short projects that explore creative and experimental applications of the medium rather than the traditional mass communication form. Students are encouraged to use their own computer for editing if possible. Basic knowledge of the computer is helpful.
Course Title: Introduction to Screenwriting Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course is an introduction to screenwriting, dealing with the basics of drama, story, character, structure, dialogue, and meaning. It explores these elements with writing exercises that develop skills in plotting, exposition, suspense, and action. It focuses on visual storytelling, helping students to discover observable actions and images that can convey ideas effectively, while constantly emphasizing how well-developed characters' needs and wants drive the structure and conflict of an engaging story. It is intended to acquaint students with the craft of screenwriting; to be a beginning course in the field that will help prepare students for further work.
Course Title: American Cinema Goal Areas: 06,07 Credits: 3
Course Description: American Cinema is a class in which students look at American films that have played a role in American film history from its beginnings to the present. They explore America's filmmaking history and its contributions to American culture, specifically considering the many diverse communities portrayed in these films as well as filmmakers from these often minority communities. These selections include films by or about African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans, GLBT Americans, and the contributions of American Women throughout film history. The course consists of viewing, analyzing, discussing and writing about American films as a means of understanding the impact of these works on our diverse American culture.
Course Title: World Cinema Goal Areas: 06,08 Credits: 3
Course Description: World Cinema is a class in which students look at films from around the world. They explore various non-English-speaking countries' contributions to filmmaking and world culture that have been made by these countries' films. They look at two films from each country studied: one that exemplifies the historical/cultural concept that is associated with that country's films and one contemporary film from that country. The course consists of viewing, analyzing, discussing and writing about films from other cultures films as a means of understanding the impact of these works on our own as well as other cultures.
Course Code | Title | Course Outlines | Goal Areas | Credits |
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Program Electives - 6 credits | ||||
TFT 1110 | The NHCC Filmmaking Project: Student Activity Class or | View-TFT 1110 | n/a | 1 |
TFT 1210 | Introduction to Theatre or | View-TFT 1210 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1260 | Introduction to Television or | View-TFT 1260 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1290 | Design for Theatre or | View-TFT 1290 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1500 | Acting I or | View-TFT 1500 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1540 | Acting for the Camera or | View-TFT 1540 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 1600 | Theatre Practicum: Performance or | View-TFT 1600 | n/a | 1-3 |
TFT 2010 | Fundamentals of Directing or | View-TFT 2010 | n/a | 3 |
TFT 2110 | The NHCC Filmmaking Project: Capstone Class | View-TFT 2110 | n/a | 3 |
Course Title: The NHCC Filmmaking Project: Student Activity Class Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 1
Course Description: The North Star Film Project (TFT 1110) is a student activity class in which students will meet at least one hour per week in a laboratory format to produce short films from scripts written in the NHCC Introduction to Screenwriting each spring. Participating students learn about planning, rewriting, shooting, editing, and mixing a film into a finished product, ready for viewing. Students in this class may repeat it for credit, and may also participate in the Capstone version of the class for 3 credits once they have completed the prerequisites for that version of the class (TFT 2110).
Course Title: Introduction to Theatre Goal Areas: 06,07 Credits: 3
Course Description: Students become involved in a play's production while they explore the roots of the theater as a reflection of culture and community. Students investigate major theatrical historical periods and personalities, work on self-selected crews, analyze dramatic literature for meaning and production considerations, and may create and perform their own scenarios as a means of understanding the transformation of theater from page to stage.
Course Title: Introduction to Television Goal Areas: 06,08 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course is an introduction to television's history, development, emerging technologies, influence, and future. It explores digital convergence as well as programming, distribution, regulation, and audience, constantly emphasizing the effect of money on this pervasive medium. Both television shows and movies about television will help illuminate the course content.
Course Title: Design for Theatre Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course is an examination of how theatre design (set, costume, properties, and lighting) are used to support the production of a play. The elements of design- line, texture, color, and form- are explored as they have been and are currently used by designers and directors for theatrical productions. Students analyze dramatic literature and create design projects.
Course Title: Acting I Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course uses lectures, discussions, and interactive exercises to learn, demonstrate, and evaluate the principles of improvisation including basic stage awareness, non-verbal communication, self-awareness, and team work. Students will work in ensemble to understand, evaluate, and use the concepts of objective, intention, and motivation. Written analyses as well as presentations may be used to demonstrate understanding of these skills and concepts.
Course Title: Acting for the Camera Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 3
Course Description: Students will have the opportunity to perform in front of the camera and see themselves as the camera records them, revealing their strengths and challenges. Acting techniques specific to working in film and television will be covered along with methods for auditioning, script analysis, character development, communication and style. How to handle camera and editing equipment is also included.
Course Title: Theatre Practicum: Performance Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 1-3
Course Description: In this class, students choose a particular area of practicum study such as acting, directing, assisting a director, working on a technical crew assignment, or another major responsibility. Students research, analyze and participate in some aspect of a North Hennepin production. This course may be repeated for credit.Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Course Title: Fundamentals of Directing Goal Areas: 06 Credits: 3
Course Description: Fundamentals of Directing is open to any student who is interested in learning the basic skills necessary to become adept at directing. The student will learn about the wide variety of responsibilities a director assumes, as well as the range of knowledge every director needs to possess in order to communicate a story effectively on stage or screen. The course will cover the function of the director, script analysis, groundplan and blocking, working with the actor, creating a unified whole, and working collaboratively with a production team. In addition, the course will cover some of the similarities and differences between directing for the stage, film, and television. For students in careers outside the performing arts, this course offers opportunities to gain a deeper appreciation of the process of directing, increase personal self-confidence, and improve communication skills in a team setting. Pre-requisites: TFT 1500 or TFT 1540 or TFT 1210 or TFT 1250 or instructor permission.
Course Title: The NHCC Filmmaking Project: Capstone Class Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 3
Course Description: The North Star Film Project: Capstone Class (TFT 2110) is an academic class in which film degree candidates shoot the short films they wrote in the Introduction to Screenwriting class. Students meet at least one hour per week in a laboratory format and produce their short films, learning to plan, rewrite, cast, shoot, edit, and mix their films into finished products, ready for viewing. Students in this class may have already participated in the North Star Film Project: Student Activity Class (TFT 1110). Students in the Student Activity Class (TFT 1110) function as actors and crew for those in the Capstone Class. Students in the AA Film Emphasis degree program should have done the following before taking this class:- a completed short film script from the Introduction to Screenwriting class (TFT 1280); - completed the Digital Video class (TFT1270); and. - completed the Fundamentals of Directing class, (TFT 2010).
Course Code | Title | Course Outlines | Goal Areas | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
COMM 1110 | Principles of Interpersonal Communication | View-COMM 1110 | n/a | 3 |
ENGL 1202 | College Writing II | View-ENGL 1202 | n/a | 2 |
PHIL 1020 | Ethics | View-PHIL 1020 | n/a | 3 |
College Writing I | ||||
ENGL 1200 | Gateway College Writing or | View-ENGL 1200 | n/a | 4 |
ENGL 1201 | College Writing I | View-ENGL 1201 | n/a | 4 |
Course Title: Ethics Goal Areas: 06,09 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course will introduce students to both the methods and issues connected with thinking about morality and ethical systems. Moral skepticism will also be examined. The aim of this class is to allow students to be more aware of their own ethical modes of thinking and the diversity of ways morality enters into human lives.
Course Title: Principles of Interpersonal Communication Goal Areas: 01,07 Credits: 3
Course Description: This introductory course looks at communication in one-to-one relationships in friendships, families, the workplace, and elsewhere. Students will be challenged to discover and assess their own communication strengths and weaknesses as they define and discuss what it means to be a competent interpersonal communicator. Course content includes both theory and practice (skill development).
Course Title: Gateway College Writing Goal Areas: 01 Credits: 4
Course Description: This class provides extended practice in critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Students will develop an effective writing process and work to achieve college-level competence in reading and responding to texts, visuals, events, and ideas in a variety of written formats, with an emphasis on the academic essay. Audience awareness, interpretation and analysis, logical reasoning, and persuasive and argumentative skills will be developed. MLA style documentation of primary sources will be included.
Course Title: College Writing I Goal Areas: 01 Credits: 4
Course Description: This class provides extended practice in critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Students will develop an effective writing process and work to achieve college-level competence in reading and responding to texts, visuals, events, and ideas in a variety of written formats, with an emphasis on the academic essay. Audience awareness, interpretation and analysis, logical reasoning, and persuasive and argumentative skills will be developed. MLA style documentation of primary sources will be included.
Course Title: College Writing II Goal Areas: 01,02 Credits: 2
Course Description: This class focuses on the research process, textual analysis of primary and secondary sources, rhetorical strategies for argument and persuasion, and successful integration of sources into a longer academic paper utilizing MLA (or other, as appropriate) documentation format. The class may be disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or topical in content.
Course Code | Title | Course Outlines | Goal Areas | Credits |
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BIOL 1200, CHEM1000, PHYS1120 - 4 credits | ||||
BIOL 1200 | Current Environmental Issues or | View-BIOL 1200 | n/a | 4 |
CHEM 1000 | Chemistry and Society or | View-CHEM 1000 | n/a | 4 |
PHYS 1120 | Meteorology | View-PHYS 1120 | n/a | 4 |
Natural Sciences (Goal Area 3) in a different discipline - 3 credits | ||||
Mathematics/Logical Reasoning (Goal Area 4) - 3 credits | ||||
Social Behavioral Sciences (Goal Area 5) - 3 courses, 9 credits, at least one course from Behavioral Sciences one course from Social Sciences. | ||||
Behavioral Sciences (Goal Area 5) | ||||
Social Sciences (Goal Area 5) | ||||
Health Electives - 3 credits | ||||
Exercise Science Electives - 1 credit | ||||
MnTC Electives - 4 credits |
Course Title: Chemistry and Society Goal Areas: 03,10 Credits: 4
Course Description: This is a basic introduction to chemistry in the everyday world, with emphasis on the role that chemistry plays in personal and professional lives. It is intended for anyone seeking to become a better informed citizen of our technological society. Basic chemical principles will be introduced and their impact on society will be discussed. The course enables students to use concepts of chemistry to think critically about current issues in science and technology. No background in Chemistry or other Natural Sciences is presumed; a strong background in math is not required. Heavy use of the internet for research and communication will be an important component of this course. This course is recommended for non-science majors looking to fulfill the science course with lab component. (3 hours lecture / 3 hours lab)
Course Title: Meteorology Goal Areas: 03 Credits: 4
Course Description: This course is designed for people who desire to learn about the weather. This course helps the student learn to observe and interpret the sky, to read weather maps, and to understand the sequence of meteorological phenomena. The topics to be covered include: air temperature, humidity, condensation, clouds, air pressure, wind, atmospheric circulation, weather forecasting, computer modeling, thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes. (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)
Course Title: Current Environmental Issues Goal Areas: 03,10 Credits: 4
Course Description: Using an interdisciplinary approach, this course examines various aspects of natural and human-made ecosystems, human's intervention, and the subsequent impact on society and nature. It emphasizes current problems, values, and projection for the future. The lab involves internet exercises, videos, group discussion, individual and group projects, field trips and other outdoor activities. (3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab)Prerequisite: ENGL 0990 or a 78 on the Accuplacer Reading Comprehension
15 Credits must be earned at NHCC |
Total Credits Required | 60 |
2023-2024
The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree with an emphasis in film gives students an understanding of and experience with audiovisual communication. You will learn how film and video actually work to produce an effect on an audience and how these media principles can be applied in your life and career. Such skills are now in high demand by employers as more and more companies look for people who can communicate through audiovisual media. The A.A. with emphasis in Film provides a solid foundation in film theory should you decide to continue your film studies at a four year institution.
Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, including:
- How film traditions and filmmaking developments in America have contributed to our culture – at times both inhibiting and developing our understanding of our own cultural diversity.
- How film traditions and developments in non-English speaking countries have contributed to filmmaking and world culture.
- How the elements of film work together to produce an effect on an audience; how cinematography, design, editing, sound, theme, screenplay, performance, and directing combine to make those impacts.
- How a film's social context and its political and religious influence show that film is not only an entertainment, but also a powerful tool for communication of a point of view.
- Using critical skills (interpretive, evaluative, and analytical) toward understanding a film's intent, evaluating its effect, and judging its quality, not only from a United States perspective, but from a World perspective.
- Demonstrating an ability to employ the elements of film to effectively and artistically communicate a message.
- Experiencing a wide variety of approaches to filmmaking.
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a high pressure creative environment.
- Acting with sensitivity to cultural differences in films and filmmaking, both in what’s portrayed as well as toward the people making them.
- Participating in the various aspects of filmmaking mentioned above.
- Demonstrating a required level of proficiency in creating images and sounds that work together to produce the effect they intend on an audience.
- Investigating careers in film and television.
- Currently articulates to Metropolitan State University’s Screenwriting B.A. Program; pending with Film Studies at St. Cloud State University and Moorhead State University.
- Graduates will have completed all 10 Goal Areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum requirements and have a foundation of knowledge in film to prepare them for transfer to a baccalaureate program in Film Studies or Screenwriting.
Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.
Information on careers, including salary and employment outlook data, is available at Minnesota State and the Bureau of Labor Statistics websites: careerwise.minnstate.edu and www.bls.gov.
If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information
The Associate of Arts (A.A.) is awarded for successful completion of 60 credits and is designed to constitute the first two years of a liberal arts bachelor degree program. An A.A. degree includes the entire 40 credit Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) as the general education requirement. Students may also choose to concentrate in a particular field of study in preparation for a planned major or professional emphasis at a four year college by following the pre major requirement of the desired transfer institution in addition to the MnTC and A.A. requirements.
A student shall:
- Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits.
- Earn a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or higher in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College.
- Earn a minimum of 20 semester credits of the 60 semester credits required for the A.A. Degree at NHCC.
- Complete the general education distribution requirement listed in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. The student shall select general education (MnTC) courses numbered 1000 or above to complete a minimum of 40 credits.
- Have four years in which to complete their work under the terms of the catalog in effect at the time of their first enrollment.
- Students taking more than four years to complete their graduation requirements may follow any catalog in effect during the four year period preceding their date of graduation.
Required A.A. Degree Course Distribution:
- Complete 40 credits in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum satisfying the requirements for each of the 10 goal areas.
- Complete at least 4 credits for the Wellness requirement with at least one course from each of the following areas: Health (all courses) and Physical Education (all courses).
- Complete 16 elective credits selected from all courses listed in the College's offerings, which are numbered 1000 or higher.
Completion of an A.A. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).
Developmental Courses
Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.
Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information
North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.
North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
1-800-621-7440
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