MUS 12
The World and Wes Anderson Winter 2023

This is not the current course catalog

Among commercially successful filmmakers of the new millennium, Wes Anderson has cultivated one of the most strongly recognizable (and widely imitated) styles. Focusing on Anderson’s films, this course will build an intimate knowledge of Anderson’s personal style while also exploring broader topics like filmmaking techniques and narrative structures. It will also use these films as a jumping-off point for discussions about the broad network of influences and outside references found therein, including ancient and contemporary art, interior design, film history, music history, political history, celebrity, philosophy, typography, and the environment. Importantly, the course will also ask questions about representation and identity in Anderson’s work. Three weekly class meetings will consist of lecture, discussion, group viewing sessions, and student presentations. Outside of the classroom, students will be expected to read articles, watch videos, complete an Anderson-inspired creative project, and write a medium-length essay. No previous experience studying film or music is required.