Summer courses in humanities

An introductory course providing an overview of the development of the visual language of Islamic cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe.

It is generally accepted that medieval illuminated manuscripts are very beautiful things. Something to do with all that gold-leaf maybe. While we cannot hold them in class, close-up digital reproduction will allow us to see if they really are as beautiful as we are told. Indeed, are none of them ugly? Join this course to find out.

Explore a selection of European films that draw on cinematic traditions of fantasy, horror and surrealism, but which have also acquired significant critical reputations, with their striking visual styles, dreamlike narratives and dark themes lending them an enduring place in both film and popular culture in general. Strange tales and dark dreams to fascinate, horrify and astound you.

After the release of Spielberg’s Jaws, Hollywood was transformed once again. In the age of



the blockbuster, stars again found a new type of fame and arguably became one of the key



points of interest for the movie-going audience. However, as blockbusters grew, so did



independent American cinema. The indie stars represented a very different version of



stardom, and in particular, drew attention to the appreciation of an actor’s performance.