What are good classes for first-year Radio/Television/Film students?
Students entering Northwestern with a major in Radio/Television/Film enroll in RTVF 220, Analyzing Media Texts, in the fall of their first year. This course is an introduction to the study of the moving image and covers basic elements of style across media including film, television, and interactive media.
Beginning in the winter or spring of the first year, students may take RTVF 190 Media Construction, which is a hands-on course that teaches students the technical fundamentals involved in shooting and editing video. It is a prerequisite for all upper-level production courses in the department.
Students majoring in Radio/Television/Film must also take another 200-level RTVF course. Selections include RTVF 260 Introduction to Screenwriting or an introduction to a specific media topic under the RTVF 298 course number.
Students who haven’t met the foreign language proficiency requirement via AP credit or placement test are advised to enroll in a two-year language sequence of their choice. All students enrolled as an RTVF major in their first year will also complete the School of Communication’s First Year Seminar.
I am considering transferring into Radio/Television/Film: what should I do?
If you are interested in transferring into RTVF, it’s a good idea to begin by taking a class in the department. RTVF 190, 220, 260, and the courses that satisfy the media history and theory requirement for the major are all good places to start. No first-year students may enroll in RTVF 190 during the fall quarter. Students intending to interschool transfer must meet with a departmental advisor. Please visit the Registrar’s website for more information about how to set up an appointment and begin the process. The online interschool transfer form must be submitted and approved by the end of week four.
Does the Department offer any minors?
Yes, the Department offers three minors: Film & Media Studies (which does not give priority registration for Production/Writing courses because these courses do not count toward the minor), Sound Design, and Game Design + Media Arts + Animation (GMA). These minors are open to students outside of Radio/Television/Film. RTVF majors may also minor in Sound Design and GMA.
If you are interested in declaring a minor, call 847-491-7214 or email dear-soc@northwestern.edu to make an appointment with a Minor Advisor.
How can I learn about student groups?
RTVF students participate in several student organizations. You can learn more about some of them on our RTVF Student Experience page. Students interested in learning more about the student film community can sign up for the Undergraduate RTVF Student Association listserv by following these instructions: log in to the email account you want to use to subscribe, compose the following email:
To: listserv@listserv.it.northwestern.edu
Subject: <leave blank>
Body: SUBSCRIBE RTVF FirstName LastName
Note: Do not include a signature in the email body. The signature will stop your subscription from going through.
Distribution Requirements
Distribution requirements are the liberal arts classes that all students in the School of Communication must complete to receive a bachelor’s degree. There are three categories of distribution requirements: Math/Science/Technology; Individual and Social Behavior; and Humanities and Fine Arts. During your first year, explore courses of interest to you outside SoC and begin to make progress toward your distribution requirements.
Language Requirement
RTVF majors must fulfill proficiency in a classical or modern foreign language as defined by the Weinberg College for foreign language proficiency requirements. This can be completed by AP Scores, language proficiency test, or a two-year language course sequence.
AP and IB Credit
No AP or IB credit may be applied to the RTVF major. AP and IB credits may be applied to the SoC distribution requirements with certain restrictions (See SoC Policy)
Questions?
Contact the School of Communication’s Office of Undergraduate Programs and Advising at dear-soc@northwestern.edu or call us at 847-491-7214. Students in SoC can directly book an appointment with an advisor through ConnectNU.