Film Studies
- Builds Understanding of Cinematic Storytelling
- Analyzes and Discusses Films
- Develops Cultural Aptitude
Whether your goal is to write a screenplay, work in the film industry, or simply explore and enjoy cinematic stories, these courses develop skills essential for analyzing and discussing films. Be transported to diverse cultures and historic periods through films.
From Night of the Living Dead to Get Out: George Romero and the Revolution of the Modern Horror Film
Watch landmark horror films in class and discuss them, with a special emphasis on interpreting them as expressions of sociopolitical anxieties.
International Films: Perspectives on Motherhood
Each week, analyze a theme related to the mother characterization in cinema, and reflect on its application in films from various countries.
The American Political Film: From All the President's Men to Vice
This class will explore American political films alongside their social and political contexts.
The Western on Film
Learn about the Western film genre and examine how it has evolved over time.
Decoding Stanley Kubrick: Inside the Man and His Movies
Explore films by controversial and contradictory director Stanley Kubrick, including Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, and Eyes Wide Shut.
Let's Go to the Movies
Examine a wide range of films and engage in lively discussions about what makes each a truly exceptional work of art.
The Best Films You Probably Haven't Seen: This Time It's Personal
Screen and discuss a variety of terrific movies you may have missed but are definitely worth seeing.
The Best of Italian Films of the Last 20 Years
Explore the social and cultural meanings and cinematic style of contemporary Italian films.
The Films of George Cukor: From Little Women to My Fair Lady
Explore the life and work of George Cukor, Hollywood’s original “actor’s director.”
Jewish History and Experience on Film
Explore the rich history of Jewish cinema and uncover a diverse array of experiences and emotions.
American Screwball Comedy Films
Watch a variety of screwball comedy films, and discuss how each represents and deals with the harsh economic realities of the time.
Femmes Fatales on Film
Explore the femme fatale in various films, and chart how this cinematic trope has evolved over the years.
France on Film: A Historic Perspective from France's Great Film Directors
Watch classic French films and reflect on how they are responsible for creating a mythologized understanding of French history.
Hitchcock's Villains
Watch some of Alfred Hitchcock’s most compelling masterpieces, and explore their complex social and moral themes.
Los Angeles on Film: A City of Dreams and Nightmares
Explore films that transport viewers to Los Angeles and grapple with the city’s multifaceted and contradictory nature.
Movies Made in New York
Explore 10 films that are set in New York and feature the City not just serving as a backdrop but playing a major role in the narrative.
The Best Long Films Well Worth Your Time
Watch and discuss six epic films that run longer than the standard-length feature film.
The Films of Billy Wilder and William Wyler
Explore the remarkable lives and films of two icons of the Hollywood Golden Age—Billy Wilder and William Wyler.
The War Film: From the Battlefield to the Home Front
View and discuss eight films that depict war, both on the battlefield and at home.
Visions of America on Film
Explore how America has been portrayed on film by six excellent directors.