English, Film And Cultural Studies
As an English major with the Film and Cultural Studies concentration, you understand better than anyone how ideas and stories can be represented visually and verbally. That’s because you’re studies at Parkside have provided hands-on opportunities to sharpen your skills in research, critical analysis, communication, and the ability to articulate and defend opinions. The concentration empowers you to pursue careers that require an ability to comprehend and appreciate film or other cultural productions, as well as positions in content creation for digital media and film or television.
The Film and Cultural Studies Concentration of the English major is offered by the Literatures and Languages Department page.
So, you’d like to get published? The annual Straylight literary magazine features short fiction, poetry, and artwork from Parkside students and from writers and artists worldwide. The online version is called Villa and allows students to read a variety of works, conduct book reviews, and to interview well-known critically acclaimed authors. Podcasts add to the website’s popularity, which garners 3,000 viewers per month.
In addition to the major, you may choose to complete certificates that advance your skills and expose you to additional specializations in your field. The professional writing and communication certificate is great for those who want to enhance their writing for their career. The digital media and production certificate is ideal if you plan to pursue a career producing content for digital media. Many students also enjoy the creative writing certificate.
Careers include: Story Editor, Gaming Content Writer and/or Editor, Writer/Producer, Education Storyteller, Script Developer, Podcast Writer, Creative Content Writer for games, videos, blogs, vlogs, etc, Comedy Writer, Film or Television Producer, Visual Storyteller, Production Coordinator, Programmer, Archiving and Restoration Specialists, Event Manager, Multimedia Author, Grant Writer, Journalist, Film and Video Director, Convention Director, Art and Media Journalist, Media or Film Critic, Press and Media Agent, Community Arts Worker, Freelance Writer or Editor, Corporate Videographer, Web Content Manager, Social Media Manager, and many more.
Learn more about the English major.
Standard Major
Consists of courses in English and related disciplines beyond the required freshman composition sequence. Students can also choose a concentration.
Language Arts Concentration
Intended for those who wish to pursue teacher certification.
Film and Cultural Studies
Appreciate film or other cultural productions, as well as content creation for digital media and film or television.
Program Contact Info
The Literatures and Languages Office | (262) 595-2331
Faculty Highlights
Josef Benson
Associate Professor – English
Josef Benson offers courses in contemporary literature, African American literature, film, poetry writing, fiction writing, and composition. He is the author of several books, including, most recently, Infinity Land: The Untold Story of Jeffrey Dahmer (University Press of Mississippi 2026) and Bandits, Misfits, and Superheroes: Whiteness and Its Borderlands in American Comics and Graphic Novels (University Press of Mississippi 2022) for which he and co-author Doug Singsen were nominated for the prestigious Will Eisner Comics Industry Award. He holds creative writing degrees from Missouri State University and the University of South Florida as well as a Ph.D. in literature also from the University of South Florida. For more information, visit josefbenson.com.
Jay Mcroy
Professor – English
