Overview of Course

The medium of film is more powerful than ever, thanks to widely-available technologies and easy access to digital media. This course is a spirited exploration into the works of global filmmakers telling stories of their nations and often sparking significant social change. We will view a variety of narrative (fiction) films, past and present, from filmmakers hailing from Semester at Sea ports of call. We will delve into the culture and linguistic features (choice of language, subtitles, code-switching, etc.) of each film as we seek to understand the relationship between artistic expression, cultural diffusion, and societal impact.

With a focus on race, gender, religion and national identity, we’ll learn how film continues to impact societal, environmental, and political concerns. We’ll examine and appreciate the use of language in film, as well as the art and science of filmmaking from both technical and cultural perspectives. And we’ll discover how fictional storytellers use their craft to persuade, inspire, and illuminate on the silver screen shared by the world over.