This course explores contemporary independent cinema through the viewing and analysis of recent films with, in each instance, the director in attendance to answer questions about the film. Each screening will be introduced by the course instructor who will also moderate the Q & A session with the director afterwards. Students are required to write weekly papers on each film screened, including the Q & A itself. Students must register for both the lecture and discussion section of this course. [This ULEC is in category 3, Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Arts & Humanities.]