Section A33: The Dreams We See: Film in Society
Whether in a theater, on television or a video, fictional cinema has become the most influential art form of our age. But how does it influence us; and how much? Do these moving images refine our sensibilities and expand our horizons or, rather, are we numbed and pacified by what we see and desire? Are we, for better or for worse, choosing our entertainment, or are the real decisions being made by small elites with their own agenda or something to sell? In this course we will view a number of America's most popular films, numerous film clips, and selected readings as we learn how to analyze the social meanings of popular movies and made-for-television dramas.