Rumors regarding the tentative "film studies" program at the College, which have been circulating on the Hill for years, can finally desist. Director of American Studies and Associate Professor of English Katherine Stubbs assures students that "a new faculty member will be hired this year and...he or she will lead in the creation and coordination of a new interdisciplinary program in cinema studies."

This new program will be housed within the American studies department and will allow students to declare a minor in cinema studies. "So many people have wanted this for so very long," Stubbs says. Due to a combination of encouragement from interested students and effort from dedicated professors, the program will officially commence in the fall of 2010 after nearly five years of planning.

Although this minor is a component of the American studies department, students of all disciplines are encouraged to explore the cinema classes next fall. "Faculty in a number of departments and programs will contribute courses to the minor, deepening students' understanding of visual media and representation," Stubbs says. Students across campus are already hyped for the inauguration of the program.

Nicole Sintetos '12, an American studies major, has known about the intentions of the program since her arrival at the College last year. "I'm really excited. Starting in Intro to American studies, you learn how films have such a huge influence on our popular culture. I think this will be a great opportunity to learn more about film as both a form of art and as a cultural text," Sintetos says.

One of Stubbs' roles as director of American studies is to hire the professor who will lead cinema studies. "The professor will teach core courses in film analysis, film history and film theory....[He or she] is either going to be an associate [professor] or a full professor," Stubbs says. "It's going to be someone who has an established history of scholarship in the field of cinema studies. This person is going to shape the direction of the program." The new hire will also be tenured immediately upon accepting his or her position.

While conducting the hiring process, Stubbs will be taking into consideration the applicants' specific areas of film study. "We're looking for someone who specializes in global cinema because current Colby faculty teach U.S. cinema and Western European cinema," Stubbs explains. A few professors at the College currently teach classes focused on cinema, but the official minor program will greatly enhance students' opportunities to study the art of film.

Within the next few months, candidates for the director position will be visiting the Hill to give talks that will influence the hiring committee's final decision. "Students who are interested in studying film next year at Colby should think about attending these talks and giving the committee feedback about the candidates," Stubbs advises. Students will have a unique opportunity to become immersed in the hiring process, which will ultimately affect the quality of their academic experience within the minor.