General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University‛s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
| Competency | Requirements | GCU Course Options | Total Credits |
| University Foundations | Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community. Students with fewer than 24 credits will fulfill the University Foundations requirement with a specified lower-division course. An upper-division selection will be made available to students that enter the university with more than 24 credits. | UNV-103/303, University Success: 4 credits | 4 credits |
| Effective Communication | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 6 credits | ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits |
6 credits |
| Critical Thinking | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 8 credits of intermediate algebra or higher mathematics. | MAT-134, Applications of Algebra: 4 credits MAT-260, College Geometry: 4 credits |
8 credits |
| Global Awareness, Perspectives, Ethics and Humanities | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate a global perspective and an awareness and appreciation of the scope and variety of literary works as expressions of individual or broader human values. Graduates will demonstrate information literacy which will enable them to locate and analyze information from a variety of sources. | CWV-101, Foundations of a Christian Worldview: 4 credits PHI-105, 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: 4 credits |
8 credits |
| Social Sciences | Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life, as well as examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures. | SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits |
8 credits |
| General Education Electives | Minnesota students must complete TEN (10) more credits, which may be taken from any of the following content areas: Communications/English, Math/Natural Science, Humanities, Social Science | ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits COM-231, Persuasive Theory: 4 credits |
10 credits |
| Course # | Course Title | Course Description | Credits |
| DFP-101 | Introduction to Cinema: History & Aesthetics | This course covers multiple eras and movements throughout the age of film. | 4 |
| DFP-111 | Digital Video Production I | This course introduces students to the technical and aesthetic aspects of small format digital production as well as the basic principles of motion picture production. Students learn the language of film/digital video and how its manipulation can express one‛s individual message or purpose. | 4 |
| DFP-113 | Film Financing, Budgeting, and Distribution | This course is an intense overview of the entire process beyond the creation of a production. Students review film financing, contracting, budgeting, insurance, etc. | 4 |
| DFP-115 | Acting for the Camera | This introductory course helps digital film production students to develop skills and gain experience in acting and directing for the camera. Students participate on both sides of the camera. Course sessions include lecture, practical exercises, and preparation for analyzing and blocking a scene and working on a set. Students screen selected film clips to evaluate performances, explore methods to prepare for an audition, discuss the actor/director relationship, and examine the professional requirements of relating to a crew. | 4 |
| COM-331 | Visual Media and Storytelling | This course focuses on the elements that make up almost all storytelling. Students are encouraged to discover and develop their unique voices as writers and storytellers, while understanding the critical importance of working as part of a creative team. This course emphasizes the use of traditional storytelling, classic mythology, and the ways in which these devices apply to contemporary media. | 4 |
| COM-221 | Screenwriting I | Students in this writing-intensive course learn storytelling for the screen through a managed regimen of in-class and out-of-class experiences that emphasize the essential mix of imagination and craft in writing. They hone their skills in observation, communication, and visualization, and receive instruction on structure for screenwriting and how to employ written language to articulate dramatic and visual expression. | 4 |
| DFP-223 | Cinematography | This course will be an intensive exploration of the craft, technologies, and aesthetic principles of cinematography, lighting, and set design techniques. Lectures and in-class demonstrations cover video formats, cameras, exposure, lenses and optics, lighting units, lighting placement, lighting control, camera support, and camera movement. | 4 |
| DFP-225 | NonLinear Editing | This course follows the general chronology of editing from capture and logging, through editing and effects, to final output of a finished program. The first half of the course is devoted entirely to a mastery of the editing software. The second half of the course is devoted to examining how and why editing is important. Different editing theories are explored, including montage, fast cut, long take, jump cut, and others. Lab fee required. | 4 |
| DFP-227 | Audio Production and Design | This course is an interactive exploration and implementation of audio production for cinema, including multimodal and theoretical approaches. | 4 |
| DFP-311 | Cinema Directing | This course utilizes techniques of directing, sound editing, lighting, and advanced editing programs. Several practical and written exercises lead to a short digital production. Students spend time working with actors in front of the camera as well as composing shots to convey a story visually. | 4 |
| DFP-345 | Entertainment Union and Guilds | Students learn the impact, use, and history of entertainment guilds and unions. The course also covers value, membership requirements, and alternative opportunities outside of the union system. | 4 |
| DFP-457 | Screenwriting II | Students in this writing-intensive course study, analyze, and implement advanced techniques in creating cinema screenplays. This course emphasizes the use of traditional storytelling and classic mythology, and how these devices apply to contemporary screenplays. Prerequisite: COM 221. | 4 |
| DFP-463 | Adapting Media to Screenplays | Students learn to adapt various forms of media to screenplays. Prerequisite: DFP 457. | 4 |
| DFP-470 | Screenwriting Capstone | Students participate in individually writing a full-length feature film. They also explore all aspects of structure, character, settings, theme, obstacle, and expressive writing storytelling. Prerequisites: DFP 457 and DFP 463. | 4 |
| Required Course Total Credit: | 56 | ||
| General Education Requirements: | 44 |
| Courses: | 56 credits |
| Open Elective Credits: | 20 credits |
| Total Degree Requirements: | 120 credits |
This program is offered in the following formats or locations:
An online education allows you the flexibility to fulfill your educational goals without distracting you from your career. Full-time faculty members support our online students while our dynamic tools allow for engaging and challenging discussions with classmates. Classes start every month.
Program Disclosure
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* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.
Grand Canyon University © 2012 - All Rights Reserved. GCU is an accredited university founded in 1949. We are a Christian university and offer online degree programs and campus based classes. As a private university in Arizona, GCU has six colleges offering business degree programs including an Executive MBA, health science degrees, liberal arts degrees, doctorate degrees, nursing programs, and teaching programs. Our Performing Arts College offers fine arts and production degree programs. GCU is a military friendly school and offers military tuition rates.
