Hollywood: History, Industry, Art from edX

In this course you will learn about Hollywood and how it came to be the global powerhouse of today.

We will discuss the complex Hollywood industry and how business and politics translate into the art of film, TV, and new media.

This course will chronicle Hollywood’s growth and global reach since the 1920s, looking at:

How Hollywood has responded to new technologies such as synchronized sound, color cinematography, TV, home video, computer graphics, and the internet
How the global spread of Hollywood since the 1920s changed the film industry
The relationship between Hollywood and independent film
Hollywood’s responses to crises in American politics (e.g., world wars, the cold war, the 1960s counterculture, 9/11)

We will look closely at representative studios (Paramount, Disney, Fox, and others) and representative filmmakers (Mary Pickford, Charles Chaplin, Frank Capra, George Lucas, Spike Lee, among many others).

What you'll learn

The history of the studio system
How to analyze a film
How Hollywood has responded to new technologies in the industry
The impact of global audiences on Hollywood
The relationship between Hollywood and independent media
How Hollywood has reacted to major political events
What the future holds for Hollywood

What's inside

Learning objectives

The history of the studio system
How to analyze a film
How hollywood has responded to new technologies in the industry
The impact of global audiences on hollywood

The relationship between hollywood and independent media
How hollywood has reacted to major political events
What the future holds for hollywood

The history of the studio system
How to analyze a film
How hollywood has responded to new technologies in the industry
The impact of global audiences on hollywood
The relationship between hollywood and independent media
How hollywood has reacted to major political events
What the future holds for hollywood

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the global reach of popular media, which is standard in public relations and corporate communications

Teaches the history of the studio system, which helps learners understand the structure of the film industry

Examines the relationship between Hollywood and independent media, which is increasingly relevant for aspiring filmmakers

Develops the ability to analyze a film, which is a core skill for film critics and industry professionals

Taught by Peter Decherney, who is recognized for their work in film history

Takes a historical approach to Hollywood filmmaking, which contrasts with other courses that focus on the present

Reviews summary

Hollywood through film history

According to students, "Hollywood: History, Industry, Art" is well received. Learners say that Professor Decherney does a great job of explaining the history of film in a fun and engaging way, keeping the content relatable by including Old Hollywood clips to illustrate key points. While this MOOC is self-paced, some learners felt that additional assessments would have helped them retain the information better.

The course is engaging due to the professor's teaching style.

"Professor Decherney succeeds in making the concepts understandable in 'layman's words'."

"I enjoyed how he was able to pull up some clips to demonstrate key points."

The course would be improved by providing more assessments.

"Although I found it wonderful that the course isn't as intimidating as I thought it would be, I still kind of expected it to be "more"."

"Perhaps it's because of the lack of access to any of the assessments."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Hollywood: History, Industry, Art with these activities:

Review basic film and media concepts before starting the course

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Strengthens foundational knowledge in film and media, enhancing comprehension and engagement with course material.

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Read introductory articles or books on film and media theory
Watch a few classic films to familiarize yourself with common narrative structures and cinematic techniques

Organize and summarize course materials

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Improves retention and understanding by actively engaging with course content and synthesizing key points.

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Review and reread lecture notes, handouts, and readings
Create summaries and condensed versions of key concepts
Organize materials into a logical and accessible format

Join or create a study group to discuss course topics and collaborate on projects

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Encourages active engagement with course material, promotes diverse perspectives, and fosters a supportive learning environment.

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Find or create a study group with other students in the course
Meet regularly to discuss lecture material, readings, and assignments
Collaborate on projects and assignments to share knowledge and perspectives

One other activity

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Analyze film clips to identify industry trends and techniques

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Develops critical thinking and analysis skills by examining specific examples of Hollywood filmmaking.

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Select film clips from different eras and genres
Analyze the clips for camera work, editing, sound design, and other technical aspects
Discuss the observed techniques and their impact on the film's narrative and overall effect

Career center

Learners who complete Hollywood: History, Industry, Art will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Film Historian

Film Historians study and analyze history through the lens of film. This course may be particularly helpful to those interested in film history, with its focus on how Hollywood has responded to new technologies, global audiences, political events, and more.

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Film Critic

Film Critics analyze and evaluate films for the public. This course can be useful for those interested in a career as a Film Critic, with its focus on how to analyze a film. Additionally, the course's exploration of Hollywood's history and global impact may provide valuable context for critique.

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Film Programmer

Film Programmers select and curate films for exhibition. This course may be helpful to aspiring Film Programmers, with its focus on the history of the film industry, new technologies in the industry, and the impact of global audiences. This knowledge can aid in creating compelling and relevant film programs.

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Film Producer

Film Producers oversee the creative and financial aspects of film production. This course may be particularly useful to aspiring Film Producers, with its focus on the history of the studio system, how Hollywood has responded to new technologies, and the relationship between Hollywood and independent media.

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Screenwriter

Screenwriters write the scripts for films. This course may be helpful to aspiring Screenwriters, with its focus on how to analyze a film. Additionally, the course's exploration of Hollywood's history and global impact may provide valuable context for screenwriting.

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Film Director

Film Directors lead the creative vision of a film. This course may be helpful to aspiring Film Directors, with its focus on how to analyze a film and on Hollywood's responses to major political events. Understanding these elements can help in crafting impactful and resonant films.

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Film Editor

Film Editors assemble and edit raw footage into a cohesive film. This course may be helpful to aspiring Film Editors, with its focus on how to analyze a film. Additionally, the course's exploration of Hollywood's responses to major political events may provide valuable context for editing films that resonate with audiences.

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Film Distributor

Film Distributors handle the distribution and marketing of films. This course may be helpful to aspiring Film Distributors, with its focus on the history of the film industry, new technologies in the industry, and the impact of global audiences. This knowledge can aid in understanding the landscape of film distribution and marketing.

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Film Archivist

Film Archivists preserve and catalog films. This course may be helpful to aspiring Film Archivists, with its focus on the history of the studio system and on Hollywood's responses to major political events. Understanding these elements can help in preserving and contextualizing films for future generations.

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Media Studies Professor

Media Studies Professors teach and conduct research on media, including film. This course may be helpful to aspiring Media Studies Professors, with its focus on the history of the film industry, new technologies in the industry, and the impact of global audiences. This knowledge can help build a foundation for teaching and researching in the field.

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Entertainment Lawyer

Entertainment Lawyers specialize in the legal aspects of the entertainment industry, including film. This course may be helpful to aspiring Entertainment Lawyers, with its focus on the history of the studio system and on Hollywood's responses to major political events. Understanding these elements can provide valuable context for legal work in the entertainment industry.

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Journalist

Journalists report on and analyze current events, including in the film industry. This course may be helpful to aspiring Journalists, with its focus on the history of the film industry, new technologies in the industry, and the impact of global audiences. This knowledge can help in understanding and reporting on the film industry.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations, including in the film industry. This course may be helpful to aspiring Public Relations Specialists, with its focus on the history of the film industry, new technologies in the industry, and the impact of global audiences. This knowledge can help in understanding and managing the public image of film organizations.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns, including for films. This course may be helpful to aspiring Marketing Managers, with its focus on the history of the film industry, new technologies in the industry, and the impact of global audiences. This knowledge can help in understanding and developing marketing campaigns for films.

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Talent Agent

Talent Agents represent actors, directors, and other creative professionals in the film industry. This course may be helpful to aspiring Talent Agents, with its focus on the history of the studio system and on Hollywood's responses to major political events. Understanding these elements can provide valuable context for representing talent in the film industry.

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