The City in Film: Urban Analysis for Beginners

Have you ever considered the city itself as a character in a film? This course teaches you how to move beyond plot and analyze the cinematic representation of urban life, architecture, and social structures. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the theoretical frameworks needed to critically interpret how films use urban settings—from sprawling metropolises to isolated suburbs—to comment on technology, power, and identity. You will develop a sophisticated understanding of the intersection between urban studies and cultural critique. What you'll learn: * Understand the foundational concepts of urban theory, including key ideas like the flâneur, psychogeography, and the modern metropolis. * Analyze cinematic techniques used to portray urban space, focusing on mise-en-scène, cinematography, and spatial narrative. * Apply critical frameworks to interpret themes such as gentrification, surveillance, and digital urbanism in contemporary film examples. * Examine the historical evolution of city representation in cinema, from early silent films to postmodern narratives. * Practice methods for connecting architectural styles and urban planning decisions shown on screen to real-world social and political issues. The course begins by defining core terminology from urban studies and film theory. It then moves through historical eras of cinematic representation before focusing on applying contemporary critical lenses to current films and themes. This course is designed for absolute beginners in both film studies and urban planning. No prior knowledge of critical theory, cinema history, or planning concepts is required. Start seeing the city and the screen in a completely new light.