The HGTV series Home Town put the small town of Laurel, Mississippi, on the map when it premiered seven years ago. But in the eyes of hometown girl, Susan Carley, Laurel has always been a special place based on its unique history, art, architecture, parks, and gardens. Laurel is unparalleled in these regards. This class examines Laurel's and its contributions to art and architecture, as well as changes the city has undergone since the airing of the Home Town series. Special attention will be given to the city's houses, gardens and parks, standouts in the American South today.

In this class, we will discuss George Cukor's 1944 melodrama, Gaslight, and his 1949 screwball comedy Adam's Rib with particular interest in the central couples. Participants will view the movies prior to the class which will be focused on a discussion of the films' shared, though contrastive, treatment of theme, character, motif, and plot.