When University of Lethbridge student Wynter Baker began her post-secondary journey, she wasn’t sure what direction to take. Like many students, she felt the pressure to choose a path, and choose quickly. Instead, she chose curiosity.
Beginning her education at Lethbridge Polytechnic, Wynter took her first film studies course, and suddenly everything clicked.
"I realized how fulfilling and expansive the discipline was. I then moved to the University after getting a taste of post-secondary education and wanting more," Wynter says. "I wanted to do and know everything I could, but more than anything, I wanted to learn about film."
Now that the new major in Cinema and Media Studies has opened in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Wynter is preparing to become one of the first transfer students in the program.
Flexible Learning Through Liberal Education
The spark that brought her to ULethbridge also ignited Wynter's exploration into her interests. With the institution's Liberal Education model, the uncertainty that Wynter felt turned into curiosity, as she could choose classes based on her interests, giving her the freedom to fine-tune her education.
"One of the privileges of Liberal Education is that I can discover my specific goals throughout my educational career. Learning about the new program was a huge factor in backing my decision to study here at the University of Lethbridge," she says.
"Now I can have this flexibility while foregrounding my passion, rather than jumping through disciplines to find cinema-related content."
A Tailor-Made Program for Unique Interests
When Wynter was deciding to transfer to ULethbridge, she met with Dr. Aaron Taylor, Professor of Cinema and a Board of Governors Teaching Chair, to discuss studying film.
When Wynter met with Aaron to explore her options, she learned about the new Cinema and Media Studies major, a program designed to blend analytical depth with hands-on creative practice.
"This brought me great joy – the fact there was a program dedicated to my area of interest at the school of my interest. I’ve heard the program blends approaches to film and media studies, incorporating the hands-on skills from the New Media program along with fostering analytical and theory-based learning."
Cinema and Media Studies brings together film theory, media analysis and practical skill development. For Wynter, that means studying cinema history and theory while also engaging with creative and technical approaches to media.
"This has been my consistent concern: what do I do with my passion? Which direction will provide me with a valuable and secure foundation?," Wynter adds. "This concern is directly addressed with the freedom the program provides, for I no longer have to choose just one direction."
Finding and Making Space in Cinema, Media and Film
Wynter’s long-term goals are still evolving, but one thing is certain: she wants to pursue her education as far as she can, becoming an expert or a scholar.
"The Cinema and Media Studies major brings my wants and dreams into a world of reality, giving me hope there is real work to be done within this field, that there's a space for me within it, and I can begin to find it from the comfort of my own community – my hometown," Wynter says.
With Alberta steadily being recognized as a world-class filming destination, Wynter adds that she sees opportunity not just for herself, but for the region.
"As Alberta becomes an increasingly popular filming location, it only makes sense to help supplement skill and creativity to aid its growth. This way, southern Alberta becomes a hub of media knowledge and production, and art is taken more seriously."
Enhancing Your Education Through Skill Development and Experience
When it comes to post-secondary education, it isn’t always about having everything mapped out. It’s also about discovering direction through exploration.
If you’re passionate about film but unsure whether you want to critique it, create it, teach it or transform it, you don’t have to decide right away — the Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies offers the space to ask those questions and explore different avenues — which is exactly what brought Wynter to the program.
"I cannot wait to hone my interests and become skilled in the field I care so much for; to gain a deep, breadth of knowledge in the world of cinema," she says. "I’m most looking forward to classes that focus on cinema theory and history, and connecting cinema to other disciplines I enjoy."
"Making art in school allows you to find what you like and dislike without starting from ground zero. There is direction and support to supplement my interests and help make my education multifaceted."