Explore how misinformation is created, spread, and believed. We examine historical and modern examples, the psychology behind deception, and the tools used to manipulate opinions or exploit vulnerabilities. Topics include media literacy, the role of technology, ethical considerations, and strategies for identifying and combating false narratives. The class will highlight the societal impact of these practices and emphasizes critical thinking to navigate a world filled with deceptive information.

Women have played vital roles in film since its inception, directing, producing, writing, and innovating. Pioneers like Alice Guy-Blaché paved the way for directors like Agnès Varda, Kathryn Bigelow, and Ava DuVernay. Despite industry barriers, women continue shaping cinema, telling diverse stories and redefining film’s artistic and social impact.

Shakespeare's works have been adapted into countless films, from classical interpretations like Henry V and Macbeth to modern reimaginings such as Romeo + Juliet (1996) and 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). Directors like Kenneth Branagh and Baz Luhrmann continue to bring his timeless stories to life.

Meryl Streep, one of the greatest actors of all time, is known for her versatility and emotional depth. With Sophie’s Choice, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt, and The Iron Lady, she’s won multiple Oscars. Her decades-spanning career showcases unmatched talent in drama, comedy, and musicals.

Women have played vital roles in film since its inception, directing, producing, writing, and innovating. Pioneers like Alice Guy-Blaché paved the way for directors like Agnès Varda, Kathryn Bigelow, and Ava DuVernay. Despite industry barriers, women continue shaping cinema, telling diverse stories and redefining film’s artistic and social impact.

Norman Lear revolutionized television with socially conscious sitcoms like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, and Maude. His sharp humor tackled race, class, and politics, reshaping American TV. A prolific producer and activist, his influence on entertainment and culture remains profound.

David Lynch, a visionary filmmaker, blends surrealism and mystery in Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and Mulholland Drive. He created Twin Peaks, redefining TV. His dreamlike, unsettling style spans The Elephant Man, Wild at Heart, and Inland Empire, making him a true auteur.

Harrison Ford, an iconic actor, rose to fame as Han Solo (Star Wars) and Indiana Jones. His career spans decades, including Blade Runner, The Fugitive, Witness, and Air Force One. Known for charisma and versatility, he's a Hollywood legend.

Steven Spielberg, one of Hollywood’s most influential directors, revolutionized film with iconic movies like Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List. Known for blending blockbuster spectacle with deep storytelling, his work spans genres, from adventure to historical drama, making him a defining force in modern cinema.

The Godfather Part II set new standards in filmmaking, pioneering sequels as serious cinema. Its dual narrative deepened themes of power and betrayal, exploring American corruption through the rise of the Corleone family. The film's storytelling, complex characters, and cultural impact make it a timeless influence on crime dramas.

This lecture looks at the career of Steve Martin - celebrated comedian, actor, writer, and musician, rose to fame with stand-up in the 1970s, known for his absurdist humor. He transitioned to film, starring in classics like The Jerk, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Father of the Bride, while also earning acclaim as an author and banjoist.

Kevin Costner, a versatile American actor, director, and producer, gained fame with roles in The Untouchables and Bull Durham. His directorial debut, Dances with Wolves, won multiple Oscars, solidifying his place in Hollywood. Known for portraying rugged, principled characters, he’s excelled in dramas, westerns, and recent TV series like Yellowstone.

Jack Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, with twelve Academy Award nominations, making him the most nominated male actor in the Academy’s history. He has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice, once for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) and once for “As Good as It Gets” (1997). In this lecture, we will look at his career and his iconic roles in films like “Easy Rider” (1969), “Five Easy Pieces” (1970), “Chinatown” (1974), “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975), “The Shining” (1980), “Batman” (1989), “A Few Good Men” (1992), and “The Departed” (2006).

Stephen King is known as the master of horror writing.  Many of the greatest films in history are based on his writings, but not all are horrors.  Some are (The Shining, Carrie, The Dead Zone), but many are not (Stand By Me, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile).  We will look at the writing career and subsequent adaptations into classic films of many of King’s novels and short stories.  Viewing clips from films and interviews with King and various collaborators to see how the master of horror fiction translation into one of the masters to film storytelling.

We will examine themes of family, family values, the criminal empire of the Corleone family as a metaphor for American capitalism and values, explore the folklore, legend, and background stories on the actual making of the film, and analyze clips from the film, and from the documentary "The Godfather Legacy”, for insights into the development, production, and cultural and cinematic legacy of the films.

We examine the representation of immigrants in early Hollywood cinema and the ways immigrant stories are used to address larger social, political, and cultural issues.   We will look at movies that detail the immigrant experience such as The Godfather, Part II (1974), America America (1963), Avalon (1990), films from the early silent days such as Charlie Chaplan's The Immigrant (1917) to more recent films like Brooklyn (2015) and Minari (2020).

In this lecture, we explore Rob Reiner's career from his early days on "All in the Family," to his acclaimed role as a one of Hollywood's most iconic and versatile directors - films including films “This Is Spinal Tap” (1983), “The Princess Bride”’ (1987), “Stand by Me” (1986), “When Harry Met Sally” (1989), and “A Few Good Men” (1992), among many others.

A look at the film and comedy career of Robin Williams, one of the greatest performers of all time - hilarious, heartwarming, shocking, sweet, and truly genius.

Kevin Costner rose to fame with roles in "The Untouchables," "Bull Durham," and "Field of Dreams." His career highlights include directing and starring in "Dances with Wolves," which won him two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. In this lecture we will look at his career in film and television including his current role on the show “Yellowstone”.

In this online lecture, we will investigate how films reflect and shape societal values, discussing the influence of movies on public opinion and vice versa. Film discussed will include "Do the Right Thing" (1989), "Crash" (2004), "Norma Rae" (1979), "12 Angry Men" (1957), "Philadelphia" (1993), "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008), "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), and "Network" (1976), among many others.

A look at the career of Tom Hanks, whose breakthrough in film came with the 1994 comedy-drama “Splash”, and soared in the late 1990s and 2000s with acclaimed performances in films such as "Apollo 13" (1995), "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), and "Cast Away" (2000). In recent years, Hanks has continued to captivate audiences with his performances in films like "Bridge of Spies" (2015), "Sully" (2016), and "The Post" (2017).

In a three-year period in the 1970’s, Al Pacino quickly established himself as a versatile actor capable of portraying intense and complex characters with great depth and authenticity. A relatively unknown stage actor at the time, Pacino starred in The Godfather (1972), Serpico (1973), The Godfather, Part II (1974), and Dog Day Afternoon (1975), cementing him as one of the greatest film actors of his generation. We will look at his entire career of work, spanning over 50 years.

With his impressive body of work, spanning comedy, drama, and directing, Tom Hanks has established himself as one of the most respected and beloved actors of his generation. From his early comedic TV and film roles like Splash (1984), Hanks would become one of the most iconic and acclaimed actors in film history with films like Big (1988), Forrest Gump (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Cast Away (2000).

Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, Meryl Streep has been giving great performances in films like in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), where she won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to star in a series of critically acclaimed films such as Sophie's Choice (1982), Out of Africa (1985), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), and Mamma Mia! (2008) among many others that we will explore in this lecture.

One of the most influential filmmakers of all time, Austrian-born American director, writer, and producer Billy Wilder is known for films such as Some Like It Hot (1959), The Lost Weekend (1945), Stalag 17 (1953), Irma La Douce (1963), Sunset Boulevard (1950) and The Apartment (1960), among many others that we will explore in this lecture.

With 12 Academy Award nominations, Jack Nicholson is the most nominated male actor in the Academy’s history. He has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice, once for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and once for As Good as It Gets (1997). In this lecture, we will look at his career, his per and his iconic roles in films like Easy Rider (1969), Five Easy Pieces (1970), Chinatown (1974), The Shining (1980), A Few Good Men (1992), and The Departed (2006) among many others.

Steve Martin has had a remarkable career spanning decades. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a stand-up comedian. After transitioning to acting, starring in iconic films like “The Jerk,” “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” and “Father of the Bride”, his comedic talent and charisma earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards. We look at Martin’s career, focusing on his acting in films and television as well as his music, writing, and Broadway performances.

“The Godfather” films continue to fascinate and entertain audiences and have become some of the most enduring in the industry. The program will analyze clips from the films, and from the documentary "The Godfather Legacy”, for insights into the development, production, and cultural and cinematic legacy of the films.

The “spaghetti western” was born in the first half of the 1960’s and lasted until the second half of the 1970’s. It got its name from the fact that most of them were directed and produced by Italians. One of the most influential filmmakers of all time, Sergio Leone made many of the greats. This lecture will discuss their history, style, influences and origins, and their influence on later generations of filmmakers. Clips from films will include “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly” (1966) “Once Upon A Time In The West” (1968) “The Great Silence” (1968), and more.

Meryl Streep is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of her generation, with a prolific career spanning over four decades, earning numerous awards and accolades for her performances. This lecture will explore some of her stage and film history, highlighting greatest roles in films like "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979)"Sophie's Choice" (1982), and "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006), among many others.