FILM 373 - Special Topics: The Biz: The American Film and Television Industry (Fall 2009)

This course examines the history of American screen entertainment, from its roots in Vaudeville and 19th century public amusements through the heyday of the Hollywood studios and the meteoric triumph of television to the 21st century dominance of digital media. The goal of the course is to use the history of these media to understand the mechanisms that move it today. We will explore the impact of key trends, individuals, institutions, and technologies, and engage in practical experiments in the kind of industrial analysis that drives decision making in the entertainment business.

Note: Business students require permission from the instructor in order to enroll.