European Cinema and Society

Catalog description

This course explores the symbiotic evolution of European cinema and society from the silent era through the present, focusing on representative films from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Soviet Union/Russia. We will approach film not only as an art form whose stylistic and technological dimensions have shifted over the past century, but also as a collective representation that provides insight into social, political, and cultural issues. We will also investigate how cinema has shaped national identities and promoted both international competition and collaboration. In so doing, our study of film will naturally open onto a variety of other disciplines, such as history, psychology, sociology, political science, and gender studies. Taught in English. May not be offered in 2024-2025.