American Auteurs - UChicago | Graham School
Source: https://graham.uchicago.edu/course/american-auteurs
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
American Auteurs - UChicago | Graham School
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Course - HUAS77513
American Auteurs
This course examines the American filmmakers celebrated as auteurs by the French critics writing for Cahier du Cinema who would go on to form the core of the French New Wave.
View Available Sections
Deadline
June 9, 2026
Format
Online
Tuition
$540
Next Start Date
June 18, 2026
Course Description
This course examines the American filmmakers celebrated as auteurs by the French critics writing for Cahier du Cinema who would go on to form the core of the French New Wave. Both established journeymen directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks and younger mavericks like Nicholas Ray and Sam Fuller attracted the critical attention of the French writers whose later films would be inflected by the influence of the American filmmakers they admired. Films of Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Jacques Tourneur, Frank Tashlin and Robert Aldrich also feature in the course’s curriculum.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Texts
None. Readings for each film will be posted on Canvas.
Available Course Sections
Date & Time
Details
Format
This has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.
Virginia Tobiason
CER’02 (Basic Program)
W
I enjoy the interplay of the classmates and the instructors. We bring up points, we have disagreements, and we learn from each other, and the learning just goes on and on—and it makes you feel younger.
Walt Kurczewski
CER’10 (Basic Program)
What I love most about teaching at the Graham School is that it is like eating at the chef's table: there are no barriers between students and instructors. We are all peers, indeed, friends learning alongside each other.
Jennifer Lind
MLA’22, Graham School instructor
G
Armed with a foundation of the Classics, we can continue our intellectual journey, driven by our relentless curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
George Perez
CER’24 (Basic Program)
Once you start, there is a thirst within you for more. The desire for new knowledge and understanding never ends.
Rosemarie Mitchell
MLA’12
G
In our increasingly siloed, stridently opinionated world, Graham’s commitment to encouraging civil discourse and attracting students of distinct and varied backgrounds and viewpoints has made the classes I’ve taken revelatory.
Gary Shapiro
CER ‘19
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also
contact us
for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works:
How to Read Classic Texts
. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues
here
. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered
. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at
graham@learningplatform.support
to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date.
You’ll
log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out
our
helpful
video tutorial
.
I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?
If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our
registration tips page
. You can also email our support team at
graham@learningplatform.support
. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Related Courses
View Courses
Online
Summer I
August Wilson: Theater’s Poet of Black America
Paul Cato
Online
Summer I
Eight Great Musicals: From Guys and Dolls to Godspell
Douglas Post
Online
Summer I
Reading Aeschylus: Prometheus Bound and a Closer Look at The Oresteia
Clare Pearson
Questions about the Graham School? Get in touch.
Contact Us
This is the search overlay. Use the Escape key to close it.
Your Shopping Cart
Enroll Now
We use
cookies
to enhance your experience on our site.
Skip to main content
Course - HUAS77513
American Auteurs
This course examines the American filmmakers celebrated as auteurs by the French critics writing for Cahier du Cinema who would go on to form the core of the French New Wave.
View Available Sections
Deadline
June 9, 2026
Format
Online
Tuition
$540
Next Start Date
June 18, 2026
Course Description
This course examines the American filmmakers celebrated as auteurs by the French critics writing for Cahier du Cinema who would go on to form the core of the French New Wave. Both established journeymen directors like John Ford and Howard Hawks and younger mavericks like Nicholas Ray and Sam Fuller attracted the critical attention of the French writers whose later films would be inflected by the influence of the American filmmakers they admired. Films of Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Jacques Tourneur, Frank Tashlin and Robert Aldrich also feature in the course’s curriculum.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Texts
None. Readings for each film will be posted on Canvas.
Available Course Sections
Date & Time
Details
Format
This has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.
Virginia Tobiason
CER’02 (Basic Program)
W
I enjoy the interplay of the classmates and the instructors. We bring up points, we have disagreements, and we learn from each other, and the learning just goes on and on—and it makes you feel younger.
Walt Kurczewski
CER’10 (Basic Program)
What I love most about teaching at the Graham School is that it is like eating at the chef's table: there are no barriers between students and instructors. We are all peers, indeed, friends learning alongside each other.
Jennifer Lind
MLA’22, Graham School instructor
G
Armed with a foundation of the Classics, we can continue our intellectual journey, driven by our relentless curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
George Perez
CER’24 (Basic Program)
Once you start, there is a thirst within you for more. The desire for new knowledge and understanding never ends.
Rosemarie Mitchell
MLA’12
G
In our increasingly siloed, stridently opinionated world, Graham’s commitment to encouraging civil discourse and attracting students of distinct and varied backgrounds and viewpoints has made the classes I’ve taken revelatory.
Gary Shapiro
CER ‘19
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also
contact us
for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works:
How to Read Classic Texts
. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues
here
. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered
. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at
graham@learningplatform.support
to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date.
You’ll
log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out
our
helpful
video tutorial
.
I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?
If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our
registration tips page
. You can also email our support team at
graham@learningplatform.support
. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
Related Courses
View Courses
Online
Summer I
August Wilson: Theater’s Poet of Black America
Paul Cato
Online
Summer I
Eight Great Musicals: From Guys and Dolls to Godspell
Douglas Post
Online
Summer I
Reading Aeschylus: Prometheus Bound and a Closer Look at The Oresteia
Clare Pearson
Questions about the Graham School? Get in touch.
Contact Us
This is the search overlay. Use the Escape key to close it.
Your Shopping Cart
Enroll Now