What stories do American films tell us about ourselves? How do these stories reinforce, reconstruct, and resist dominant cultural systems? Do we read cinema’s stories “straight,” or do we create alternative tales? How do film advertising, star interviews, product tie-ins, and fan sites fit into the story?

We will explore these questions by analyzing U.S. films made over the past 90 years. In addition to investigating the social, historical, political and industrial factors surrounding the films’ production, the course will focus on the relationship between cinematic codes, reception and mainstream ideology. While films constitute our primary texts, we will consider other cultural artifacts, among them posters, ads, magazine articles, fan web sites, and viewer testimonials. As we probe cinema’s cultural work, we will gain insight into what constitutes cultural studies and how one reads from a cultural studies perspective.

Students in the course work toward several goals: learning how to read film from a cultural studies perspective and developing as critical thinkers and writers. Course activities promote active learning, with most class sessions including a mix of mini-lectures, discussion, short writing exercises, and group work. My role is to provide the tools and resources you will need to advance your own thinking and writing. I will pose questions, design activities to help you think through these questions, and respond to your ideas. Your role is to do the hard work—the critical reading, discussion, and writing. You will analyze films, generate ideas in electronic and face-to-face discussions, develop projects with your peers, construct written arguments, and revise those arguments.

Page Last Updated 10/19/03
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