From the silent era of the early 1900s to the blockbusters and global streaming stories of today, film has always reflected the communities that create it, and the communities it hopes to inspire. In this course, students will explore major moments in film history while examining how movies portray connection, solidarity, conflict, and collective action.
Each week, we will watch a film and clips from influential films, analyze key innovations in cinematography and storytelling, and discuss how filmmakers across different eras have represented the bonds between people, from smalltown friendships to movements that reshape society. Students will develop critical viewing skills and learn how film both reflects and shapes cultural values.
Weekly writing assignments will have students respond to films through short reflections and essays, focusing on scene analyses, thematic presentation as well as creative comparisons across decades. By the end of the course, students will understand how cinema has evolved, how technology and culture have influenced that evolution, and how stories on screen continue to remind us of the importance of community.
Some films we may cover include:
It’s a Wonderful Life – 1948 (Will still be slightly “Tis’ the Season” in January)
12 Angry Men – 1957
To Kill a Mockingbird – 1962
Spirited Away – 2001
Whale Rider – 2002
Black Panther – 2018