If you’re in Modern China: the People’s Republic of China 1949, you should watch To Live
Arthur Waldron takes on a monumental task in his class on modern China: He explores the country’s tumultuous social and political upheavals from the mid-20th century to present day. To Live does the same. The 1994 film begins in the 1940’s, and uses a single family to demonstrate China’s struggle with civil war and its eventual descent into communism. To Live is somewhat of an epic, spanning nearly fifty years of Chinese history. Be warned: this film is heartbreaking. You will cry.
Course Listing: EALC 442-401
If you’re in America in the 1960s, you should watch A Single Man
Thomas Sugrue’s class is much like the sixties themselves: chic, thrilling, and utterly fascinating. The course follows America from 1954 to 1974, arguably the most transitional point of the 20th century for the country. A Single Man, too, gives a poignant look at life during the sixties. The film follows Colin Firth, a gay professor, through the day of his intended suicide. Directed by Tom Ford, the movie features lush lighting and gorgeous frames, but also gives an intimate look inside the life of a gay man during the 1960’s. Oh, and the movie features Nicholas Hoult in a white angora sweater so beautiful it inspired its own fan following.
Course Listing: HIST 373–401
If you’re in Sleep and Sleep Disorder, you should watch The Machinist
The Machinist is yet another movie in which Christian Bale thoroughly freaks us out, in the best way possible. Bale lost over 60 pounds to play Trevor Reznik, a man suffering from insomnia. This psychological thriller perfectly complements Phillip Gehrman’s intimate Psychology lecture on sleeping disorders.
Course Listing: PSYC-440-601
If you’re in Game Theory, you should watch A Beautiful Mind
This is the year of the genius. The Imitation Game and The Theory of Everything wowed us with their powerful depictions of the struggles that accompany brilliance. But no performance tops Russell Crowe’s depiction of John Nash in A Beautiful Mind. The movie follows Nash and the onset of his schizophrenia. Check out the film to gain some further appreciation for game theory, taught in Yuichi Yamamoto’s aptly named lecture “Game Theory.”
Course Listing: ECON–212–001
