The course provides a comprehensive study of major periods, styles, genres and films starting with the early 1930's and culminating with the 'birth' of New Hollywood in the 1970's. Among the issues discussed: French poetic realism, film noir, Italian neo-realism, the French new wave, British 'kitchen sink' cinema, European modernist cinema and Japanese cinema.

The course is accompanied by screenings of relevant film excerpts (but not full length films).