SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill’s popular community enrichment cinema course will return this spring, offering participants the chance to explore the evolving role of comedy in film.
Titled "Media, Manipulation, and the Demise of Public Discourse," the course will examine how humor has changed over time, including the decline of the romantic comedy. Each of the four sessions will feature a pre-screening lecture, a film showing, and a guided discussion analyzing the events depicted, the directors’ choices, and the cinematic techniques used.
Spring 2026 Film Schedule
Monday, Jan. 26 — "When Harry Met Sally" (Rob Reiner, 1989)
Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) meet when they share a car ride from Chicago to New York right after graduating from college. As they each build their lives and careers in Manhattan, they experience love and heartbreak — with other people — yet their paths continue to cross. Over the years, their friendship deepens until they must confront the question of whether to let it develop into romance.
Monday, Feb. 23 — "Coming to America" (John Landis, 1988)
A wealthy African prince (Eddie Murphy) rebels against an arranged marriage and travels to Queens, New York. Once he arrives, he disguises himself as an average man in hopes of finding a genuine, independent American woman who will love him for who he is.
Monday, Mar. 23 — "A League of Their Own" (Penny Marshall, 1992)
Set during World War II, this film explores the creation of the first women’s professional baseball league. The story focuses on two sisters — one a talented, sweet-swinging catcher (Geena Davis) and the other a pouty, impulsive pitcher (Lori Petty) — who play on the same team. Their rivalry intensifies under the leadership of their manager, a washed-up, hard-drinking former Major Leaguer (Tom Hanks).
Monday, Apr. 20 — "Major League" (David S. Ward, 1989)
A group of misfit players attempts to lift the Cleveland Indians out of a 34-year slump.
All classes begin at 6 p.m. in Morgan Auditorium at the Student Community Center. The cost is $30 for community members. Attendance is free for Penn State Schuylkill students, faculty, and staff (details available in the campus newsletter).
The course will be taught by D.J. Higgins, assistant teaching professor of film/video and music at Penn State Schuylkill. Higgins earned a doctorate in modern languages from Middlebury College and is an award-winning filmmaker whose credits include several short films.
For more information or to register, visit sl.psu.edu/cinema.