George Polk School of Communications

The George Polk School of Communications offers a range of academic programs, including the BFA in Film.

BFA Film Program

Majoring in film at LIU Post will help students prepare for a career in directing, cinematography, editing, lighting, producing, screenwriting, or film criticism. LIU Post is one of only a handful of colleges and universities to instruct students in the use of 16mm film, and where students start making films in their first semester. This 120-credit program also includes a strong film history component as well as courses in animation and special effects.

Program Curriculum

The program curriculum includes:

• Required Film Courses (54 credits)
  • CIN 201: The Art of the Film (1900-1930)
  • CIN 202: The Art of the Film (1931 to Present)
  • CIN 105: The Art of the Documentary Film
  • CIN 206: Basic Motion Picture Production
  • CIN 207: Intermediate Motion Picture Production
  • CIN 208: Advanced Motion Picture Production
  • CIN 109: Screenwriting
  • CIN 210: Screenwriting
  • CIN 212: Intro to Editing and Sound
  • CIN 213: Intermediate Editing & Sound
  • CIN 215: Cinematography
  • CIN 228: Film Theory
  • CIN 224: Video Documentary Workshop
  • CIN 235: Production Laboratory
  • CIN 236: Production Laboratory
  • CIN 237: Film Production Lab - Practicum
  • CIN 238: Film Production Lab - Practicum
  • CIN 244: Interdisciplinary Concepts - Directing
• Three courses from the following (9 credits)
  • CIN 103: Major Forces in the Cinema
  • CIN 204: Major Figures in the Cinema
  • CIN 303: Film & Society
  • CIN 304: Film & Society
• CIN 288: Film Thesis (must be taken twice, 8 credits)
• Choose three courses from the following (9 credits)
  • CIN 214: Cinema and the Arts
  • BDST 204: Intermediate Sound Projects
  • JOU 252: Interviewing Skills for Media
  • CIN 244: Interdisciplinary Concepts
  • CIN 289: Advanced Individual Study in Cinema
  • CIN 299: Film Internship
  • CIN 359: Honors Advanced Elective
  • CIN 360: Honors Advanced Elective

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

The program also includes courses that fulfill the Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs), which are:

• ILO 1: Creative and Reflective Capacities
• ILO 2: Historical and Intercultural Awareness
• ILO 3: Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning
• ILO 4: Oral and Written Communication
• ILO 5: Information and Technological Literacies
• ILO 6: Critical Inquiry and Analysis
• ILO 7: Ethical Reasoning and Civic Engagement

Courses

The program offers a range of courses, including:

• CIN 1: The Art of the Film: 1900 - 1930
• CIN 2: The Art of the Film: 1931 to Present
• CIN 3: Major Forces in the Cinema
• CIN 4: Major Figures in the Cinema
• CIN 5: The Art of the Documentary Film
• CIN 6: Basic Motion Picture Production
• CIN 7: Intermediate Motion Picture Production
• CIN 8: Advanced Motion Picture Production
• CIN 9: Screenwriting I
• CIN 10: Screenwriting II
• CIN 12: Basic Editing and Sound
• CIN 13: Intermediate Editing & Sound
• CIN 14: Cinema and the Arts
• CIN 15: Cinematography
• CIN 24: Video Documentary Workshop II
• CIN 28: Film Theory
• CIN 35: Production Laboratory
• CIN 36: Production Laboratory
• CIN 37: Film Production Lab - Practicum
• CIN 38: Film Production Lab - Practicum
• CIN 44: Film Concepts: Directing
• CIN 88: Film Thesis
• CIN 89: Advanced Individual Study in Cinema
• CIN 99: Film Internship
• CIN 303: Film and Society
• CIN 304: Film and Society
• CIN 359: Honors Advanced Elective
• CIN 360: Honors Advanced Elective
• BDST 4: Digital Audio Production
• JOU 52: Interviewing Skills for Media

Faculty

The faculty members include:

• Mike Atkinson: Adjunct Professor, Screenwriting, Film Theory, Criticism
• John Koshel: Film Professor, Writing, Directing, Film Theory
• John Mainente: Adjunct Professor and Technical Director, Cinematography, Directing, Film Production
• Gia McKenna: Assistant Technical Director, Advisor
• Lisa Robinson: Professor of Film, Film Production, Screenwriting, Directing
• Soopum Sohn: Professor of Film, Film Screenwriting, Directing, Cinematography, Editing
• Susan Zeig: Program Director, Professor of Film, Documentaries, Independent Films, Latin American Films

Student Films

The program showcases student films, including:

• Alumni Interview - Mabel Santos Haugen
• Alumni Interview - Paul Taylor
• The Long View Open

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Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

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Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

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Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

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Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance