Course Info

FILM 490: 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.

This course is repeatable.

Winter 2023-2024

Topic: Black Film Studies
Section: 501
Class number: 22421
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
Topic: Black Film Studies
Section: 510
Class number: 22491
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Topic: AI Art Tools for Film, Animation, and Theatre
Section: 801
Class number: 22476
Meeting time: Tu 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: CDM 00536 at Loop Campus

Spring 2022-2023

Section: 601
Class number: 43299
Meeting time: TuTh 1:30PM - 3:00PM
Location: CDM 00216 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Jose Soto | View syllabus
Topic: A Documentary Filmmaker's Journey
Section: 602
Class number: 43474
Meeting time: W 10:00AM - 1:15PM
Location: 14EAS 00214 at Loop Campus
CLOSED
Topic: Psychedelic Cinema of the '60s Counterculture
Section: 901
Class number: 40456
Meeting time: W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: 14EAS LL105 at Loop Campus

Winter 2022-2023

Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 501
Class number: 28981
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
Topic: Showrunning
Section: 502
Class number: 31663
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: 14EAS 00209 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Jose Soto | View syllabus
Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 510
Class number: 31384
Meeting time: -
Location: Online: Async
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus

Section 801

Class number 30653

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: 30980
Meeting time: M 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: 14EAS 00506 at Loop Campus

Spring 2021-2022

Topic: Psychedelic Cinema of the '60s Counterculture
Section: 901
Class number: 42450
Meeting time: W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: 14EAS LL105 at Loop Campus

Winter 2021-2022

Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 501
Class number: 28686
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: CDM 00708 at Loop Campus
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus

Winter 2020-2021

Topic: The Heist Film
Section: 501
Class number: 28662
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: Online: Sync
Instructor: Eric Marsh | View syllabus
Section: 502
Class number: 33796
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: Online: Sync
Instructor: Jose Soto | View syllabus
Topic: Lighting -Black, Indigenous, People of Color
Section: 503
Class number: 34741
Meeting time: F 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: Online: Sync
Instructor: Pete Biagi | View syllabus

Fall 2020-2021

Topic: The Improvised Feature Film
Section: 101
Class number: 10785
Meeting time: Tu 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: Online: Sync
Section: 401
Class number: 16204
Meeting time: Th 1:30PM - 4:45PM
Location: Online: Sync
Instructor: Jose Soto | View syllabus
Topic: Producing From Concept to Completion
Section: 702
Class number: 16177
Meeting time: M 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: Online: Sync
Instructor: Robert Teitel

Spring 2019-2020

Topic: Creative Producing
Section: 901
Class number: 30196
Meeting time: M 5:45PM - 9:00PM
Location: REMOT E0000
Topic: Diy Pandemic Production
Section: 920
Class number: 37332
Meeting time: -
Location: Remote