Dr. Maggie Parke

How do films create meaning? How do images, sound, performance, editing, and storytelling work together to shape our understanding of a story, a character, or an entire world? Lights, Camera, Meaning is an ongoing film studies series taught by Maggie Parke that explores cinema as both an art form and a cultural force. Through close analysis, discussion, and accessible critical frameworks, students will develop the tools to read films thoughtfully and engage more deeply with visual storytelling. Topics may include the language of cinema, adaptation across media, screenwriting and story development, genre studies, animation, fantasy and speculative film, directors and creative voices, popular franchises, and the evolving relationship between film, culture, and audiences. Drawing on examples from beloved classics, contemporary cinema, and adaptation-rich works such as Tolkien and beyond, the series invites students to consider not only what stories mean, but how films create that meaning. Designed for students from any background, Lights, Camera, Meaning combines rigorous analysis with an enthusiasm for storytelling, offering a welcoming space for anyone who wants to watch films with sharper eyes, deeper insight, and greater appreciation for the craft of cinema. [show less]

Why do certain stories, characters, franchises, and cultural phenomena capture our imaginations? What can our favorite films, television series, books, games, music, and fandoms teach us about storytelling, identity, community, and culture? Taking Fun Seriously is an ongoing series taught by Maggie Parke that explores popular culture as a rich and meaningful subject of study. Through discussion, close analysis, and accessible critical frameworks, students will examine the media they love while developing a deeper understanding of the industries, communities, histories, and cultural forces that shape them. Topics may include fandom and fan communities, popular franchises, adaptation and transmedia storytelling, celebrity and fan culture, global media phenomena, mythology in contemporary culture, genre trends, and the ways audiences engage with stories across platforms and generations. Drawing on everything from Tolkien, fantasy, and science fiction to K-pop, anime, film, television, and emerging cultural trends, the series invites students to explore not only what we love, but why we love it. Designed for students from any background, Taking Fun Seriously combines scholarly inquiry with enthusiasm, curiosity, and playfulness, creating a welcoming space for anyone interested in examining popular culture with both critical insight and genuine delight. [show less]