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.

Spring 2025-2026


Section 601

Class number 33220
  • Topic: Ethics in AI Films
  • Meeting dates: 3/28/2026 - 6/12/2026
  • Meeting time: TuTh 1:30PM - 3:00PM
  • Location: N/A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor:
  • Topic: Ethics in AI Films
  • Meeting dates: 3/28/2026 - 6/12/2026
  • Meeting time: W 1:45PM - 5:00PM
  • Location: N/A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor:


  • Topic: AI Filmmaking: Tools, Story, and Experimentation
  • Section: 901
  • Class number: 33219
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: N/A at Loop Campus
  • Instructor:

Winter 2025-2026

  • Topic: Hong Kong Cinema
  • Section: 501
  • Class number: 22498
  • Meeting time: W 1:30PM - 4:45PM
  • Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
  • Topic: Set Construction II
  • Section: 502
  • Class number: 25107
  • Meeting time: Th 1:15PM - 4:30PM
  • Location: N/A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor:
  • Topic: Hong Kong Cinema
  • Section: 510
  • Class number: 22551
  • Meeting time: -
  • Location: Online: Async
  • Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus

Fall 2025-2026

  • Topic: The Sci-Fi City in Film
  • Section: 101
  • Class number: 12659
  • Meeting time: Tu 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: ARTLT 00203 at Lincoln Park Campus
  • Instructor: Daniel Bashara
  • Topic: Queer Fear
  • Section: 102
  • Class number: 13503
  • Meeting time: -
  • Location: Online: Async
  • Instructor: Peter Forster
  • Topic: American Independent Cinema
  • Section: 401
  • Class number: 15480
  • Meeting time: W 1:30PM - 4:45PM
  • Location: LEWIS 01513 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
  • Topic: The Films of Spike Lee
  • Section: 402
  • Class number: 13501
  • Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
  • Location: CDM 00220 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Raphael Nash | View syllabus
  • Topic: American Independent Cinema
  • Section: 410
  • Class number: 15481
  • Meeting time: -
  • Location: Online: Async
  • Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
    • CLOSED
  • Topic: The Films of Spike Lee
  • Section: 411
  • Class number: 13502
  • Meeting time: -
  • Location: Online: Async
  • Instructor: Raphael Nash | View syllabus
    • CLOSED

Section 701

Class number 16188
  • Topic: Freelance Dp
  • Meeting dates: 9/10/2025 - 11/25/2025
  • Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: CINES P0101 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Pete Biagi | View syllabus
  • Topic: Freelance Dp
  • Meeting dates: 9/10/2025 - 11/25/2025
  • Meeting time: Th 6:00PM - 9:15PM
  • Location: CINES P021B at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Pete Biagi | View syllabus


Spring 2024-2025


Section 601

Class number 33510
  • Topic: Directing Actors for Camera
  • Meeting dates: 3/29/2025 - 6/13/2025
  • Meeting time: W 1:45PM - 5:00PM
  • Location: CINES P0102 at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Shayna Connelly | View syllabus
  • Topic: Directing Actors for Camera
  • Meeting dates: 3/29/2025 - 6/13/2025
  • Meeting time: W 1:45PM - 5:00PM
  • Location: CINES P024A at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios Campus
  • Instructor: Shayna Connelly | View syllabus


  • Topic: American Independent Cinema
  • Section: 901
  • Class number: 33509
  • Meeting time: Th 5:45PM - 9:00PM
  • Location: 14EAS 00206 at Loop Campus
  • Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus

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
    • CLOSED
  • 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
  • Instructor: Raphael Nash | View syllabus
  • Topic: The Films of Spike Lee
  • Section: 411
  • Class number: 15887
  • Meeting time: -
  • Location: Online: Async
  • Instructor: Raphael Nash | View syllabus

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
  • Instructor: Raphael Nash | View syllabus

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
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus
  • 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
  • Instructor: Noelle Thomas | View syllabus


  • 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
  • Instructor: Raphael Nash | View syllabus
  • Topic: Black Film Studies
  • Section: 510
  • Class number: 22490
  • Meeting time: -
  • Location: Online: Async
  • Instructor: Raphael Nash | View syllabus
  • 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
  • Instructor: Scott Roberts | View syllabus

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
  • Instructor: Steven James
  • 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
  • Instructor: Robert Puccinelli | View syllabus

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
  • Instructor: Estrella Vargas | View syllabus
  • 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
  • Instructor: Estrella Vargas | View syllabus


  • 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
  • Instructor: Scott Roberts | View syllabus

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
  • Instructor: Robert Puccinelli | View syllabus

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