This summer, blockbusters such as “The Odyssey” and  “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” gained almost $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion at the box office, respectively, and captured audiences worldwide. But for cinema enthusiasts at USC, engaging with film on a deeper academic level may be more accessible than it seems.

The University has a history of offering various elective courses for students to explore their diverse interests, from programming to Pilates classes. But where the opportunity to explore disciplines really shines is in the courses available through the School of Cinematic Arts, several of which are inclusive and open to all majors. 

This semester, SCA is offering “Media Industry Symposium” — also named “Sinners: Art and Industry” for this semester, after the 2025 film — and “Theatrical Film Symposium.” Both have been popular course choices for many different students at the University, with around 250 students enrolled in each.

Emily Chavez, a sophomore majoring in biological sciences, enrolled in the “Sinners” course this semester because she was inspired by her love of the film to join the class.

“I love ‘Sinners.’ I watched it for the first time in theaters,” Chavez said. “When I got the email that they were offering the course, I had to do it, so I made sure it worked with my schedule.”

Meanwhile, “Theatrical Film Symposium” takes place every Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and screens a new film ahead of its release for students, alongside a panel including actors, producers or directors of the films shown. The course is taught by Leonard Maltin, renowned film critic and author featured on “Entertainment Tonight,” who has been teaching at SCA since 1998. He believes the course benefits not only the enrolled students, but the films showcased as well.

“This is where word-of-mouth can really make a difference in the life of a movie,” Maltin wrote in a statement to the Daily Trojan. “[Theatrical Film Symposium] was created by Arthur Knight, who was a well-respected film critic. He told the school that he thought they were missing a bet by not inviting filmmakers down to showcase their latest work and meet the students.”

Such courses have also helped students discover interdisciplinary paths of study. Even students who are currently majoring in a cinematic arts branch have found that the class has bolstered their filmmaking flame. Langston Wilkinson, a sophomore majoring in cinematic arts, film and television production, is enrolled in “Theatrical Film Symposium” and believes his takeaway from the course is the practicality of learning filmmaking as a whole.

“I think [the course] is not just good for the film industry, it’s not just good for SCA, but it’s good for humanity in a sense, because art is something that’s inherently meant to be shared between each other,” Wilkinson said. “Art is of people, for people.” 

When reflecting on his time teaching the course, Maltin wrote that its most important perk is that all students, no matter their background or major, can take something away from the class.

“I tell each class that I want to make them smarter moviegoers. That’s why we expose them to all kinds of films, from micro-indie features to Hollywood blockbusters,” Maltin wrote. “One of the lessons the class imparts is that no one ever sets out to make a bad movie. You can learn as much from someone that just made a turkey as you can from someone who’s made a gem.”

With how accessible the course is, students from all academic backgrounds have been able to participate in “Theatrical Film Symposium.” Maltin described how people from different backgrounds can benefit from watching a wider range of films, with some students even reconsidering their focus of study after the course, potentially turning toward cinema.

Although these are film-centered courses, students across majors have found them rewarding. For Chavez, attending “Media Industry Symposium” has broadened her interest in cinema studies.

“It’s really cool coming [in as] a science major, because I never realized how much went into film,” Chavez said. “I’ve definitely considered doing things in the film world, but I think it opened my eyes a little more. … If another symposium opened, I would definitely do it.” 

“I’ve had students tell me they come away with a curiosity about the workings of the film business; some of them even switch majors,” Maltin wrote.  

Wilkinson believes extending access to Maltin’s course beyond SCA allows more students to benefit from studying film, and that “Theatrical Film Symposium” exemplifies USC’s access to interdisciplinary study.

“Not everyone gets an opportunity like this,” Wilkinson said. “Obviously, many prestigious universities have really well-tenured, legendary professors, but not every university gives everyone the opportunity to study under [someone like Maltin]. It’s a unique and special experience. I’m glad that USC doesn’t cloister it away for just people who are in SCA.”

Disclaimer: Langston Wilkinson formerly served as a Features staff writer at the Daily Trojan in Spring 2026. Wilkinson is no longer affiliated with this paper.