History wasn’t boring when it happened – we make it boring in the classroom.
~ Dr. Roger Smith

Have you ever heard about a particular college session and thought, “That sounds like a cool class – I’d take that!” Now you can. Sign up for a 10-week course on American History, as seen from the perspective of a Hollywood camera lens. You will watch 10 movies over 10 weeks; each week we will meet by Zoom to discuss your movie assignment and what you learned about American history from this source: did they get it right? Did they get it wrong?! Why? How hard is it to film a movie that is historically accurate? Why was a story from 80 years ago just now being made into a movie? What’s the difference between Historical Fiction and Fictional History? These and other questions are addressed, while we also look at marketing messages in movie posters.

During each 10-week session classes will meet by Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. (EST) to discuss that week’s movie and the historical topic involved. You will receive your invitation to join each week’s Zoom no later than the weekend before class. If you are unable to attend on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. (vacation, work schedule, illness, etc.), all class sessions will be recorded and available to view. If the problem is Tuesday evenings, let us know so that we can consider different arrangements in the future, depending upon demand.

If you would like to know more about me, go to the home page for Colonial Research Associates, www.colonialra.com, then look at the main menu bar and click on “About Us” for more information about who we are and what we do.

Here is the best way to get on board for a fun ride through American History:

1. Look over the list of movies below that we are utilizing in the upcoming three 10-week sessions and make your selection(s) – yes, you may enroll in more than one session!
2. Click the “Buy Now” button at the bottom of the page and follow the directions for payment. If you do choose to enroll in more than one session, each enrollment purchase must be made separately.
3. You’re done! Once you have enrolled, I will send you all the information you will need for your first class.

Please Note: Classes will be capped at 30 participants. Remember, this is not an accredited course – you will not receive college credits, which is why it’s so inexpensive – you simply get to learn American History at a collegiate level!

Movie list for upcoming classes

June 18 – August 20, 2024

• Week 1: Hollywood and the Civil War: Glory
• Week 2: Hollywood and the Westerns: Tombstone
• Week 3: Hollywood and WWI: Sergeant York
• Week 4: Hollywood and the 1920s: Inherit the Wind
• Week 5: Hollywood and the Great Depression: Seabiscuit
• Week 6: Hollywood and WWII: The Monuments Men
• Week 7: Hollywood and McCarthyism: Trumbo
• Week 8: Hollywood and Pop Culture: A Hard Day’s Night
• Week 9: Hollywood and the Space Race: Hidden Figures
• Week 10: Hollywood and Richard Nixon: The Post

Cost: $250 for 10-week class ($200 for educators)

September 10 – November 12, 2024

• Week 1: Hollywood and the Civil War: Harriet
• Week 2: Hollywood and the Westerns: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
• Week 3: Hollywood and Teddy Roosevelt: The Wind and the Lion
• Week 4: Hollywood and the Roaring Twenties: The Untouchables
• Week 5: Hollywood and the Great Depression: Cinderella Man
• Week 6: Hollywood and WWII: A Call to Spy
• Week 7: Hollywood and the Home Front: A League of their Own
• Week 8: Hollywood and Strong Women: The Boston Strangler
• Week 9: Hollywood and NASA (the 1960s): Apollo 13
• Week 10: Hollywood and Richard Nixon: All the President’s Men

Cost: $250 for 10-week class ($200 for educators)

February 4 – April 8, 2025

• Week 1: Hollywood and the Civil War: Lincoln
• Week 2: Hollywood and Westward Expansion: Jeremiah Johnson
• Week 3: Hollywood and the Westerns: Woman Walks Ahead
• Week 4: Hollywood and WWI: The Lost Battalion
• Week 5: Hollywood and the Great Depression: Bonnie and Clyde
• Week 6: Hollywood and WWII: The Great Escape
• Week 7: Hollywood and Post-War American Culture: Quiz Show
• Week 8: Hollywood and the Cold War: Bridge of Spies
• Week 9: Hollywood and Civil Rights: The Green Book
• Week 10: Hollywood and Richard Nixon: Nixon and Frost

Cost: $250 for 10-week class ($200 for educators)

Educators’ Note: Please take a picture of your current school/county teaching I.D. and email it to [email protected]. Once we have verified your employment, you will receive your 20% educators’ discount.

WHO SAYS LEARNING HISTORY CAN’T BE FUN!!