Course Info

FILM 390: Advanced Topics in Cinema

This class will be an in-depth examination of a filmmaker, film genre, or film movement that has had a significant influence on the development of cinematic storytelling and expression. Through lectures, screenings, readings, discussions, and critical writing assignments, students will analyze the distinctive traits of the selected topic within the broader context of cinema history and culture. Specific topics will be selected by the instructor and will vary with each quarter. PREREQUISITE(S): None

This course is repeatable.

Winter 2024-2025

Topic: The Ecological Imagination
Section: 201
Class number: 22466
Meeting time: W 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara
Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 501
Class number: 22498
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 510
Class number: 22552
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus

Fall 2024-2025

Topic: Hollywood Cartoons
Section: 101
Class number: 14321
Meeting time: TuTh 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara
Topic: Queering the Film
Section: 102
Class number: 15888
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Instructor: Peter Forster
Topic: The Films of Spike Lee
Section: 402
Class number: 15884
Meeting time: Tu 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00220 at Loop Campus
Topic: The Films of Spike Lee
Section: 411
Class number: 15887
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async

Spring 2023-2024

Topic: The 1990's Hood Film
Section: 601
Class number: 35458
Meeting time: Tu 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00220 at Loop Campus

Section 602

Class number 35459

Topic: Interior Design/Set Decoration
Meeting dates: 4/1/2024 - 6/14/2024
Meeting time: Th 8:30AM - 11:45AM
Location: CINES P0102 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
Topic: Interior Design/Set Decoration
Meeting dates: 4/1/2024 - 6/14/2024
Meeting time: Th 8:30AM - 11:45AM
Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus


Topic: The Sci-Fi City in Film
Section: 901
Class number: 32587
Meeting time: Tu 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara

Winter 2023-2024

Section: 201
Class number: 22385
Meeting time: W 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara
Topic: Black Film Studies
Section: 501
Class number: 22420
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
Topic: Black Film Studies
Section: 510
Class number: 22490
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Topic: AI Art Tools for Film, Animation, and Theatre
Section: 801
Class number: 22386
Meeting time: Tu 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: CDM 00536 at Loop Campus

Fall 2023-2024

Topic: Hollywood Cartoons
Section: 701
Class number: 13236
Meeting time: MW 2:40PM - 4:10PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara

Spring 2022-2023

Topic: A Documentary Filmmaker's Journey
Section: 602
Class number: 43473
Meeting time: W 10:00AM - 1:15PM
Location: 14EAS 00214 at Loop Campus
Topic: The Sci-Fi City in Film
Section: 901
Class number: 40457
Meeting time: Tu 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00304 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara
Topic: Psychedelic Cinema of the '60s Counterculture
Section: 902
Class number: 40455
Meeting time: W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: 14EAS LL105 at Loop Campus

Winter 2022-2023

Topic: Mexican Cinema
Section: 201
Class number: 28485
Meeting time: W 1:30PM - 3:00PM
Location: 14EAS 00605 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Luisela Alvaray
Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 501
Class number: 28980
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 510
Class number: 31383
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus

Section 801

Class number 28486

Topic: Lighting-Black, Indigenous, People of Color
Meeting dates: 1/2/2023 - 3/19/2023
Meeting time: W 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: CINES P021B at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
Topic: Lighting-Black, Indigenous, People of Color
Meeting dates: 1/2/2023 - 3/19/2023
Meeting time: W 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: CINES P0101 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus


Topic: AI Art Tools for Film, Animation, and Theatre
Section: 802
Class number: 30979
Meeting time: M 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: 14EAS 00506 at Loop Campus

Fall 2022-2023

Topic: Hollywood Cartoons
Section: 701
Class number: 18903
Meeting time: W 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara

Spring 2021-2022

Topic: The Sci-Fi City in Film
Section: 901
Class number: 42451
Meeting time: Tu 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00304 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara
Topic: Psychedelic Cinema of the '60s Counterculture
Section: 902
Class number: 42449
Meeting time: W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: 14EAS LL105 at Loop Campus

Winter 2021-2022

Topic: David Fincher
Section: 201
Class number: 21229
Meeting time: Tu 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Location: Online: Hybrid
Instructor: Ashley Smith
Topic: Queering the Film
Section: 202
Class number: 21228
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Instructor: Peter Forster
Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 501
Class number: 28685
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
Topic: The Weird and the Fantastic
Section: 502
Class number: 21232
Meeting time: Tu 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara

Fall 2021-2022

Topic: The Cinematic City
Section: 702
Class number: 4554
Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
Instructor: Daniel Bashara

Spring 2020-2021

Topic: Comedy and the Moving Image
Section: 301
Class number: 30870
Meeting time: Th 10:10AM - 11:40AM
Location: Online: Hybrid
Instructor: Ian Jones
Topic: Mexican Cinema
Section: 302
Class number: 30884
Meeting time: M 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Location: Online: Hybrid
Instructor: Luisela Alvaray

Winter 2020-2021

Topic: The Weird and the Fantastic
Section: 220
Class number: 34022
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Instructor: Daniel Bashara
Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 501
Class number: 28661
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: Online: Sync
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
Topic: Lighting-Black, Indigenous, People of Color
Section: 503
Class number: 34740
Meeting time: F 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: Online: Sync
Instructor: Pete Biagi | View syllabus