The course, Media, Manipulation, and the Demise of Public Discourse, will focus on the shifting role of humor in movies, including the decline of the romantic comedy genre. Each of the three sessions will feature a pre-screening lecture, a film showing, and a guided discussion analyzing the events portrayed, the directors’ creative choices, and the cinematic techniques used.
Fall 2025 Film Schedule:
Monday, Sept. 29 – Step Brothers (Adam McKay, 2008)
Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly), two middle-aged men still living with their parents, are forced to live together when their parents marry.
Monday, Oct. 27 – How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (Donald Petrie, 2003)
Journalist Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) sets out to drive away a man for an article, while ad executive Ben Berry (Matthew McConaughey) tries to win her over.
Monday, Nov. 10 – Fatherhood (Paul Weitz, 2021)
Matthew Logelin (Kevin Hart) navigates single parenthood after the sudden death of his wife, based on the memoir by Matt Logelin.
All sessions begin at 6 p.m. in Morgan Auditorium at the Student Community Center. The cost is $30 for community members, while Penn State Schuylkill students, faculty, and staff may attend for free.
The course will be led by D.J. Higgins, assistant teaching professor of film/video and music at Penn State Schuylkill. Higgins, who holds a doctorate in modern languages from Middlebury College, is an award-winning filmmaker with several short film credits.
For registration details, visit sl.psu.edu/cinema.
Journalist Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) sets out to drive away a man for an article, while ad executive Ben Berry (Matthew McConaughey) tries to win her over.
Monday, Nov. 10 – Fatherhood (Paul Weitz, 2021)
Matthew Logelin (Kevin Hart) navigates single parenthood after the sudden death of his wife, based on the memoir by Matt Logelin.
All sessions begin at 6 p.m. in Morgan Auditorium at the Student Community Center. The cost is $30 for community members, while Penn State Schuylkill students, faculty, and staff may attend for free.
The course will be led by D.J. Higgins, assistant teaching professor of film/video and music at Penn State Schuylkill. Higgins, who holds a doctorate in modern languages from Middlebury College, is an award-winning filmmaker with several short film credits.
For registration details, visit sl.psu.edu/cinema.