Course Description: How many ways can filmmakers depict young King Arthur withdrawing the sword from the stone?? Answer: MANY! This course will compare modern translations of literary texts written in the medieval period (13th-century King Arthur narratives, Werewolf narratives, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Robin Hood ballads, Beowulf) to film and television adaptations of this material (Excalibur and other Arthurian films, five Beowulf adaptations, five SGGK adaptations including The Green Knight [2021], and various Robin Hood films and TV series). Course goals include: learning how to perform close reading of the words that comprise medieval literary texts; learning how to “read” the components of cinematography: mise en scene, camera shots, dialogue, lighting, sound, musical soundtrack, costume, props, casting, etc.; sharpening critical thinking. Cinematic materials include silent films, animation, Hollywood blockbuster feature films, and TV series. CORE Requirement Satisfied: Language, Philosophy & Culture.

Course Description: The course shall explore affinities between Medieval literature and history and cultural and political issues of the 20th-21st century, using a variety of medieval texts that have been adapted into film, television, and other media. While studying the texts we shall discuss how contemporary high and popular culture have adapted these texts cinematically to reflect current issues (of the period of post-medieval adaptation). Texts and topics include: Arthurian Romances such as The Vulgate Cycle; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; the Lais of Marie de France about hybrid monsters; Silence, an Arthurian romance about a female cross-dressing as a male knight; and the earliest British epic, Beowulf. Wherever possible, texts will be compared to their various films and TV adaptations. Analysis will reflect issues of gender construction, sexuality, monster theory, and politics.

Course Description: This course will explore representations of women and gender issues in contemporary French cinema. It will focus on some of the most influential female filmmakers who make films in French, including Agnès Varda, Claire Denis, Chantal Akerman, Céline Sciamma, Alice Diop, Justine Triet, and Mati Diop. This course will allow students to examine representations of the female condition specific to the francophone context, while engaging in cross-cultural comparison. It is discussion-based and invites students to develop their own critical interpretations of the films discussed weekly. It is taught in French with a prerequisite of FREN 2312 (or equivalent).

Course Description: This is a creative arts core curriculum course. History of German films within their historical, cultural, thematic, and aesthetic context. Taught in English.

Course Description: Introduction to the study of religions and their portrayal in film; exploration of two-way pervasion of religion and culture and identity.

Course Description: Do you like to create memes and post about your viewing and streaming tastes? Do your career goals involve storytelling, world building, content creation, criticism, communications or visual design? In today’s image-saturated world, everyone is always writing about visual material. In this sophomore-level writing course, we will read and write works that focus on the arts and visual material. These genres may include film reviews, art criticism, fashion blogs, ekphrastic poetry, image captions and the artist or creator statement. Students will also have the opportunity of an optional creative final project, developed in conversation with the instructor and designed specifically to showcase the student’s interests and skills, and intended towards building a professional portfolio. Please note that this course requires students to regularly share their writing with their classmates.