Film and Music   

American Roots Music series and is appropriate for both new and returning students. From the popular press to concert promotional materials to Grammy Awards categories, terms like “roots,” “Americana,” “folk,” “traditional,” and “bluegrass” are often thrown around with little distinction or context, yet these words carry specific meanings, histories, and legacies. In this course, we will study the genres of American roots music both as commercial categories and culturally specific musical practices. We’ll begin by examining how these terms have been used and applied to specific genres at different points in their development. As the course progresses, we’ll move beyond identifying what makes each genre unique to uncover the many ways they connect. 

This is a viewing and discussion program. We will watch the documentary together in class and then share our thoughts about the film.  Did we grow as we discover the value and/or purpose of what we watched. We can critique the quality of the film; indicate our enjoyment of or our displeasure with it; say if we learned anything new; tell if you were surprised at anything. A full list of the documentaries will be provided at the first class. 

This film appreciation course offers a brief but in-depth ZOOM dive into four movies by America's favorite French director. Each week participants will view one Truffaut movie at home to prepare for discussion and detailed analysis of that film in class. Note: This course is not a repeat of Bernie’s previous film courses. Requirements: (1) Participants commit to 1 weekly online movie-viewing at home: on TV, pc, or tablet/laptop. (2) Must have Access to the Criterion Channel, Amazon Prime and Kanopy video streaming service (via Boston Public Library or another library e-card). Most films are free, some rentals (less than $20). 

We’ll review what has been called the first American detective story - Dashiell Hammett’s - The Maltese Falcon ‘30 which introduced Sam Spade in the ‘41 movie. This image of the “hard-boiled” private investigator is pitted against a band of criminals and his woman of the moment. Under John Huston’s direction this film (nominated for 3 Academy Awards) has been noted as the beginning of the film noir genre. 

Fred Zinnemann was a young Austrian filmmaker when he came to Hollywood in 1929. After working as a cameraman, he began making films on his own within a few years. Although he made a wide variety of films, he was particularly gifted in featuring characters who face difficult, even impossible choices, particularly in wartime.  We will view a variety of these films, including Vanessa Redgrave and Jane Fonda in Julia, which features Meryl Streep’s first film appearance, the great Paul Scofield in his Oscar winning role in A Man for All Seasons, and one of the best American westerns, High Noon with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.  

The Baroque era in music ended with the death of Bach. We will learn the revolution in music which took place with the emergence of Bach's sons, Haydn, Mozart and the young firebrand Beethoven. 

Do you want to learn about the history of South Asia—a region rich in diversity, culture, art, and political history? This four-day introductory course explores South Asian societies through film, media, and visual arts. Students will examine how history, identity, religion, gender, migration, and social change are represented across the region. Students will gain a deeper understanding of South Asian cultures and histories while sharing their own perspectives in an interactive learning environment.