This course will explore curation and exhibition practices in relation to this year’s public programming focus at the Carsey-Wolf Center: “Panic!”  Students will gain greater understanding of moral and historical panics since the silent film era, including panics about gender, sexuality, and race. We will study the historical relationship between panic and anxiety at the movies through a focus on key Alfred Hitchcock films, including Blackmail (1929), Notorious (1946), Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963). We will also examine the dynamics of media distribution, curation, and exhibition, considering how media institutions like the Carsey-Wolf Center contend with ongoing cycles of cultural panic by developing programming series and convening timely, informed conversations with expert guests. Students will explore this unique field of curation by discussing strategies for conducting effective interviews and proposing their own Pollock Theater events as part of their coursework. Students are required to attend at least five public events of their choice at the theater during the fall term. These events will be scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

If you have questions about the course, please contact Carsey-Wolf Center Director Patrice Petro.