How Walt Disney Conquered the World: From Snow White to the Jungle Book
The name Disney is synonymous with the story of American animation. In this course, we will learn about the history of the Disney Animation Studio during the lifecycle of its founder, Walt Disney. We will explore the origins of the studio within the context of early American animation, and discuss key films from its ‘classic’ era of production, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi
(1942)...
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This film studies course examines the history of the Walt Disney Animation Studio from its formation in 1923 through to the death of Walt Disney in 1966. The course explores the circumstances by which the studio rose to become the world’s leading animation company, tracing not only the commercial success of its productions but the industrial and social factors that allowed Disney’s cartoons to become so popular around the world.
We will consider the company’s origins as a producer of animation shorts designed to accompany feature length live-action filmmaking, and how Disney used this as a training tool for its animators to experiment with a range of different technologies such as Technicolor, synchronised sound and the multiplane camera. We will also look at many of the studio’s most well-known and fondly remembered films, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940), Bambi (1942), Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and The Jungle Book (1967), to understand the circumstances that led up to their creation, and to comprehend their artistic achievements. The aim is to understand the Disney company’s history so that we can continue to assess its contemporary significance as a leading player in the mass entertainment industry.
What will we cover?
The course will provide a chronological history of the Walt Disney company throughout this period. It will explore the company’s origins amongst early American animation practice, contextualising the studio’s origins within the story of other US animation pioneers like J. Stuart Blackton and Windsor McCay. It will examine the studio’s first commercial efforts throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including Disney’s acclaimed Silly Symphonies. It will then consider the company’s first feature length animations, examining the creative evolution from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs through to works like Pinocchio and Bambi. It will consider the Disney company’s propaganda collaborations with the US government during WWII, the foundation of Disneyland in Anaheim, California in 1955, alongside some of the darker aspects of Disney’s legacy, including the infamous Disney strike of 1941 and collaboration with the House Committee on Un-American Activities during the postwar ‘red scare’. As the story moves into the latter stages of Walt Disney’s life, it will explore the studio’s attempts to stay relevant during the rise of counter-culturalism throughout the 1950s and 1960s. We will finish with a look at The Jungle Book (1967), the last film produced by the company before Walt’s death.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand the industrial, commercial and cultural circumstances that allowed Disney Animation Studios to establish itself as the world’s leading animation company during the first four decades of its history.
Learn to appreciate some of Disney’s most well-known works through a richer lens of understanding of how they spoke to their audiences at the time they were made.
Demonstrate an awareness of the different eras of Disney animation, and the features associated with those eras.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is available for anyone with an interest in Disney animation. No specialist knowledge is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Articles and extracts from the films will be provided to you. The class will be structured around a combination of PowerPoint presentations, extended film clips and class discussions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk
Dr Alexander Sergeant is an award-winning film historian and theorist. His varied research interests include the history of popular culture, particularly within the US, and the intersection between film and philosophy. He is the author of Encountering the Impossible: The Fantastic in Hollywood Fantasy Cinema (2021), and co-editor ofFantasy/Animation: Connections Between Media, Mediums & Genres (2018). He is the co-founder of the popular website Fantasy-Animation.org and co-host of the Fantasy/Animation podcast.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/how-walt-disney-conquered-the-world-from-snow-white-to-the-jungle-book919470How Walt Disney Conquered the World: From Snow White to the Jungle Bookhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/masters-of-cinema-celine-sciamma-hf397-1080.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film/Courses/Weird and wonderful City Lit228511771580207917451228511771580<p>The name Disney is synonymous with the story of American animation. In this course, we will learn about the history of the Disney Animation Studio during the lifecycle of its founder, Walt Disney. We will explore the origins of the studio within the context of early American animation, and discuss key films from its ‘classic’ era of production, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi (1942).</p>002925582How Walt Disney Conquered the World: From Snow White to the Jungle Book149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/masters-of-cinema-celine-sciamma-hf397-1080.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF398149149How Walt Disney Conquered the World: From Snow White to the Jungle Book14997149Alex Sergeanthow-walt-disney-conquered-the-world-from-snow-white-to-the-jungle-book/hf398-2526<p>The name Disney is synonymous with the story of American animation. In this course, we will learn about the history of the Disney Animation Studio during the lifecycle of its founder, Walt Disney. We will explore the origins of the studio within the context of early American animation, and discuss key films from its ‘classic’ era of production, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi (1942).</p>0000-Available|2026-04-27 00:00:00<p>This film studies course examines the history of the Walt Disney Animation Studio from its formation in 1923 through to the death of Walt Disney in 1966. The course explores the circumstances by which the studio rose to become the world’s leading animation company, tracing not only the commercial success of its productions but the industrial and social factors that allowed Disney’s cartoons to become so popular around the world.</p><p>We will consider the company’s origins as a producer of animation shorts designed to accompany feature length live-action filmmaking, and how Disney used this as a training tool for its animators to experiment with a range of different technologies such as Technicolor, synchronised sound and the multiplane camera. We will also look at many of the studio’s most well-known and fondly remembered films, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940), Bambi (1942), Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and The Jungle Book (1967), to understand the circumstances that led up to their creation, and to comprehend their artistic achievements. The aim is to understand the Disney company’s history so that we can continue to assess its contemporary significance as a leading player in the mass entertainment industry.</p><p>The name Disney is synonymous with the story of American animation. In this course, we will learn about the history of the Disney Animation Studio during the lifecycle of its founder, Walt Disney. We will explore the origins of the studio within the context of early American animation, and discuss key films from its ‘classic’ era of production, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi (1942).</p><p>The course will provide a chronological history of the Walt Disney company throughout this period. It will explore the company’s origins amongst early American animation practice, contextualising the studio’s origins within the story of other US animation pioneers like J. Stuart Blackton and Windsor McCay. It will examine the studio’s first commercial efforts throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including Disney’s acclaimed Silly Symphonies. It will then consider the company’s first feature length animations, examining the creative evolution from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs through to works like Pinocchio and Bambi. It will consider the Disney company’s propaganda collaborations with the US government during WWII, the foundation of Disneyland in Anaheim, California in 1955, alongside some of the darker aspects of Disney’s legacy, including the infamous Disney strike of 1941 and collaboration with the House Committee on Un-American Activities during the postwar ‘red scare’. As the story moves into the latter stages of Walt Disney’s life, it will explore the studio’s attempts to stay relevant during the rise of counter-culturalism throughout the 1950s and 1960s. We will finish with a look at The Jungle Book (1967), the last film produced by the company before Walt’s death.</p><ul><li>Understand the industrial, commercial and cultural circumstances that allowed Disney Animation Studios to establish itself as the world’s leading animation company during the first four decades of its history.</li><li>Learn to appreciate some of Disney’s most well-known works through a richer lens of understanding of how they spoke to their audiences at the time they were made.</li><li>Demonstrate an awareness of the different eras of Disney animation, and the features associated with those eras.</li></ul><p>The course is available for anyone with an interest in Disney animation. No specialist knowledge is required.</p><p>Articles and extracts from the films will be provided to you. The class will be structured around a combination of PowerPoint presentations, extended film clips and class discussions.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk</p>Film studiesAmerican filmvirtual14914997HF398NONEMon27/04/26 - 08/06/2618:30 - 20:3018:3020:305 sessions (over 7 weeks)55-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAlex SergeantBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-27T00:00:00+00:00EveningApr 2026Culture, history & humanities149149How Walt Disney Conquered the World: From Snow White to the Jungle Bookhow-walt-disney-conquered-the-world-from-snow-white-to-the-jungle-book/hf398-2526<p>The name Disney is synonymous with the story of American animation. In this course, we will learn about the history of the Disney Animation Studio during the lifecycle of its founder, Walt Disney. We will explore the origins of the studio within the context of early American animation, and discuss key films from its ‘classic’ era of production, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi (1942).</p>0000-Available|2026-04-27 00:00:00<p>This film studies course examines the history of the Walt Disney Animation Studio from its formation in 1923 through to the death of Walt Disney in 1966. The course explores the circumstances by which the studio rose to become the world’s leading animation company, tracing not only the commercial success of its productions but the industrial and social factors that allowed Disney’s cartoons to become so popular around the world.</p><p>We will consider the company’s origins as a producer of animation shorts designed to accompany feature length live-action filmmaking, and how Disney used this as a training tool for its animators to experiment with a range of different technologies such as Technicolor, synchronised sound and the multiplane camera. We will also look at many of the studio’s most well-known and fondly remembered films, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940), Bambi (1942), Cinderella (1950), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and The Jungle Book (1967), to understand the circumstances that led up to their creation, and to comprehend their artistic achievements. The aim is to understand the Disney company’s history so that we can continue to assess its contemporary significance as a leading player in the mass entertainment industry.</p><p>The name Disney is synonymous with the story of American animation. In this course, we will learn about the history of the Disney Animation Studio during the lifecycle of its founder, Walt Disney. We will explore the origins of the studio within the context of early American animation, and discuss key films from its ‘classic’ era of production, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Pinocchio (1940) and Bambi (1942).</p><p>The course will provide a chronological history of the Walt Disney company throughout this period. It will explore the company’s origins amongst early American animation practice, contextualising the studio’s origins within the story of other US animation pioneers like J. Stuart Blackton and Windsor McCay. It will examine the studio’s first commercial efforts throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including Disney’s acclaimed Silly Symphonies. It will then consider the company’s first feature length animations, examining the creative evolution from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs through to works like Pinocchio and Bambi. It will consider the Disney company’s propaganda collaborations with the US government during WWII, the foundation of Disneyland in Anaheim, California in 1955, alongside some of the darker aspects of Disney’s legacy, including the infamous Disney strike of 1941 and collaboration with the House Committee on Un-American Activities during the postwar ‘red scare’. As the story moves into the latter stages of Walt Disney’s life, it will explore the studio’s attempts to stay relevant during the rise of counter-culturalism throughout the 1950s and 1960s. We will finish with a look at The Jungle Book (1967), the last film produced by the company before Walt’s death.</p><ul><li>Understand the industrial, commercial and cultural circumstances that allowed Disney Animation Studios to establish itself as the world’s leading animation company during the first four decades of its history.</li><li>Learn to appreciate some of Disney’s most well-known works through a richer lens of understanding of how they spoke to their audiences at the time they were made.</li><li>Demonstrate an awareness of the different eras of Disney animation, and the features associated with those eras.</li></ul><p>The course is available for anyone with an interest in Disney animation. No specialist knowledge is required.</p><p>Articles and extracts from the films will be provided to you. The class will be structured around a combination of PowerPoint presentations, extended film clips and class discussions.</p><p>You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk</p>Film studiesAmerican filmconfigurable
20791580American filmhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/american-film1/2/285/1177/1580/20791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film
