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MA in Cinema and Media Studies > Program Overview


Program Overview | MA Degree Requirements | MA Admission Requirements | Masters Timeline


Cinema and Media research is rapidly transforming the humanities and fine arts, reflecting the massive global expansion of media technology and the cultural impact of cinema and related media. 

The York Graduate Film Program was the first graduate program in film in Canada and continues in York’s interdisciplinary tradition of cutting edge scholarship. Cinema and Media Studies is housed in a Graduate Program that features a dynamic Production MFA (including award-winning filmmakers among its faculty) and Canada’s only BFA and MFA in Screenwriting.

The Program’s faculty members are recognized for excellence in: cinema and media theory (including contemporary theory, feminist theory and practice, sexuality and film, Marxism, labour and film, post-colonial theory, urban media studies); national and transnational cinemas (especially African, American, Canadian, Chinese, European, First Nations, and Japanese cinemas globalization and the political economy of the cultural industries), cinema and technology (theories of technology and the digital, emerging media, augmented reality, new media); independent cinema (including documentary, video art, and experimental and avant-garde film and media); and film history.

The MA program immerses students in a two-year program of study that nurtures students’ academic and professional goals. A wide range of required and elective courses enhances the range and depth of students’ skills and knowledge. All students gain teaching experience in the second year of the program as teaching assistants for courses in the undergraduate BA honours program in Cinema and Media Studies. The second year of MA study provides reflective time for students to complete either an MA thesis or Major Research Paper (MRP) on a topic of their choice.

Students are mentored by faculty supervisors who number among Canada’s finest cinema and media studies researchers. Cinema  and Media faculty includes two Canada Research Chairs in the areas of digital media and globalization (housed in a state of the art research facility that includes a Digital Urban Media Lab and an Augmented Reality Lab) and numerous recipients of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Standard Research and Research/Creation Grants.

York Film is the largest film department in Canada, and is situated in the centre of film culture in English Canada. Toronto provides students with exceptional exposure to film screenings (from TIFF Bell Lightbox to numerous repertory cinemas), festivals (over 100 film festivals occur each year, including the Toronto International Film Festival, Hot Docs, and Images Festival), and resources (research collections, studios, and industry offices).

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