What is Cinema & Media Studies at the University of Washington?

Updated

cinema.washington.edu is the website of the Department of Cinema & Media Studies at the University of Washington (UW). It is an academic department, not a movie theater, streaming service, or film production company. The site is aimed at prospective and current students, researchers, and anyone interested in the scholarly study of film, television, and media. If you are looking for showtimes, tickets, or a place to watch films online, this is not that kind of site.

What the department offers

The department describes itself as offering "boundless opportunities" for student experiences, including internships, careers, clubs, and connections with local film organizations. Its academic programs include:

  • BA in Cinema & Media Studies
  • BA in Comparative Literature
  • Minor in Comparative Literature
  • MA in Cinema & Media Studies
  • PhD in Cinema & Media Studies
  • Graduate Certificate in Cinema & Media Studies

Graduate study is described as covering world cinema, literature, television, and more.

What you can find on the site

The homepage and its menus point to several categories of information:

Section What it covers
Programs & Courses Degree programs and course listings
Faculty Directory Award-winning faculty profiles; the department emphasizes teaching, research, and mentorship
Courses Individual course information, such as CMS 320 A: Indian Cinema
Events Calendar Department events
Alumni & Friends Information for alumni and supporters
Student Spotlights Student experiences and profiles
Faculty Spotlights Faculty profiles and achievements

A featured course example is CMS 320 A: Indian Cinema (Autumn 2026), described as an introduction to storytelling styles in contemporary Indian cinema, from commercial big-budget films to art and documentary cinema.

The site also highlights faculty publications, including work by Jennifer M. Bean, Xin Peng, Ellen Y. Chang, Naomi Sokoloff, and José Alaniz.

Who this site is for

  • Prospective students evaluating undergraduate or graduate programs in film and media studies
  • Current students looking for courses, faculty, and events
  • Researchers interested in faculty publications and scholarly work
  • Alumni and supporters who want to stay connected

If your interest is in studying cinema and media as an academic discipline at UW, this is the right starting point. If you want to watch films or find entertainment listings, you will need a different kind of site.