Former home to coal mines and heavy industry, the Ruhr area now offers a broad range of cultural activities. Historically, the region was a hotbed of political and experimental filmmaking throughout the s and s, accompanying the economic restructuring with provocative documentaries and bold avantgarde films. With 8 full professors, 16 research associates, various fellows and lecturers, it is the largest of its kind in Germany.
The IfM aims to cover the whole field of academic teaching and research in Media Studies. However, within the IMACS program we offer at least three courses every semester that are to be taught entirely in English. In classes taught in German, it is also possible to participate in group discussions in English, to take oral exams in English, and to write term papers in English. In addition, incoming students can choose from a variety of courses offered by the English Department of the Faculty of Philology.
Nevertheless, we strongly encourage incoming students to take German classes in order to further benefit from their exchange experience. The University Language Center offers German classes on various levels, both before and throughout each semester. For further information, check their website.
Four different research areas within this field are of special importance for the IMACS program: Film theory and film philosophy , combining the history of film and cinema and, especially, their interrelations with other arts and media such as photography, television, radio broadcasting, video and digital media.
Courses cover Hollywood genre cinema as well as European and Southern American cinema, documentary film, experimental, avantgarde and animation film. In addition to teaching at campus, we regularly offer field trips to German and international film festivals.
