Community Cinema Course Returns to Penn State Schuylkill This Spring

Penn State Schuylkill’s cinema course returns this spring, exploring the evolution of film comedy through a series of classic 1980s and early 1990s films. The community enrichment program, titled “Media, Manipulation, and the Demise of Public Discourse,” will examine the changing landscape of humor in cinema, including the gradual decline of the romantic comedy genre.

The four-session course provides participants with a comprehensive cinematic experience. Each session features a pre-screening lecture, followed by a film showing and facilitated discussion. Attendees will analyze storytelling techniques, directorial choices, and the cultural context of each film.

Opening the series on January 26, 2026, Rob Reiner’s 1989 classic “When Harry Met Sally” will set the stage for examining the golden era of romantic comedies. The film, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, follows two characters whose friendship evolves over years in New York City, challenging the notion of whether men and women can maintain platonic relationships.

The February 23 session showcases “Coming to America,” John Landis’s 1988 comedy starring Eddie Murphy. The film follows a wealthy African prince who journeys to Queens, New York, disguised as an ordinary man in search of authentic love. Beyond its humor, the film offers commentary on class, identity, and cultural expectations.

On March 23, Penny Marshall’s “A League of Their Own” (1992) brings attention to a lesser-known chapter of American history: the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League formed during World War II. Starring Geena Davis, Lori Petty, and Tom Hanks, the film blends sports comedy with historical significance, highlighting women’s contributions during wartime and the gender barriers they faced.

The series concludes on April 20 with David S. Ward’s “Major League” (1989), a sports comedy chronicling the fictional revival of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. The film features a group of unlikely heroes attempting to break a decades-long losing streak.

These selections represent a pivotal era in American comedy filmmaking when the genre enjoyed both commercial success and critical recognition. The course aims to analyze how these films reflect the social attitudes of their time while examining how comedy in cinema has evolved in subsequent decades.

D.J. Higgins, assistant teaching professor of film/video and music at Penn State Schuylkill, will lead the course. Higgins brings considerable expertise to the program, having earned a doctorate in modern languages from Middlebury College. As an award-winning filmmaker with several short films to his credit, Higgins offers both academic and practical insights into the filmmaking process.

All sessions will be held at 6 p.m. in the Morgan Auditorium located in the Student Community Center. The program continues Penn State Schuylkill’s tradition of community engagement through arts education, offering affordable access to film studies for local residents.

Community members can attend the complete series for $30, while Penn State Schuylkill students, faculty, and staff may participate free of charge, with details available in the campus newsletter. This pricing structure reflects the university’s commitment to making cultural and educational programming accessible to both the campus community and local residents.

The timing of this course is particularly relevant as the film industry continues to experience significant shifts in content creation and distribution models. Traditional theatrical comedies have declined in recent years, with streaming platforms increasingly dominating the landscape. This historical perspective on comedy filmmaking provides context for understanding contemporary changes in entertainment.

Those interested in registering or seeking additional information can visit sl.psu.edu/cinema. The university encourages early registration as these community cinema courses have proven popular in previous semesters.