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Hispanic Film and Culture

Get an introduction to Hispanic culture through the films of Luis Buñuel, Pedro Almodóvar and Guillermo del Toro.

7,184 enrolled on this course

A roll of film
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours

Explore Hispanic culture through three iconic film directors

This online course will explore Hispanic film and culture through the work of three iconic film directors: Luis Buñuel, Pedro Almodóvar and Guillermo del Toro.

Each week, we will look at a different Hispanic director and you’ll discover why so many people like their work. You’ll train your eyes and ears, evaluating photography, movement, color, acting and story, helping you to enjoy all types of film.

You’ll also learn to recognize and interpret cultural and ideological messages in film, and talk about the ways that Hispanic culture in film differs from your own.

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What topics will you cover?

  • Recognize Luis Buñuel and his contributions to film and culture.
  • Learn to analyze basic concepts of photography and mise en scène,
  • Describe the photography and mise en scène to Buñuel films.
  • Recognize Pedro Almodóvar and why he is important.
  • Learn to recognize sexual politics, camp, and Kitsch on film & Identify them in the films of Almodóvar
  • Recognize Guillermo del Toro and why he is important
  • Learn basics about movement and editing
  • Be able to analyze films of del Toro through movement and editing

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain why Almodóvar, Buñuel, and del Toro have achieved prominence
  • Describe the mise en scène of a film
  • Compare and describe how photography, movement and color are used to make meaning in various films
  • Evaluate acting, story, and ideology in a given film
  • Recognize and talk about ways the cultures in the films are different from their own.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone who can understand English, and is interested in Hispanic film and culture. No prior experience or qualifications are necessary.

Who will you learn with?

Patricia Hart is a Professor of Twentieth Century Spanish Literature and Film at Purdue University. She is the author of dozens of scholarly articles and chapters on Hispanic film, lit, and culture.

Who developed the course?

Purdue University

One of the four best public universities in the US, Purdue delivers an engaging learning experience and a world-class degree.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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