UCR Zoom Courses   

Nearly 40 years ago, a covert and illegal operation to supply arms to a Central American insurgency and to Iran during its war with Iraq exploded into global headlines. The Reagan administration launched a cover-up to shield the president, who had been deeply involved in directing these policies. He narrowly avoided impeachment and left office quietly. This course traces the affair from its origins to its controversial conclusion six years later, when another president—himself implicated—pardoned the conspirators.

The American Film Institute’s list of the greatest film scores is filled with beloved classics—and a few unexpected surprises. Behind each score is a composer with a fascinating life and an extraordinary career. In this lively exploration, we’ll journey through the creative process of crafting these unforgettable pieces, music that speaks without words and stirs emotions beyond what even the most brilliant dialogue or imagery can achieve. From timeless works like Gone With the Wind, Laura, To Kill a Mockingbird, Planet of the Apes, Jaws, Star Wars, and Psycho, to other masterpieces—and even scores that outshone the films they accompanied—this course celebrates the power of music to make movie magic.