He has an idea for an elective course not unlike what you're talking about, about learning movie essentials.
It would be a little different every semester.
For example, one semester you would study the humor of the Marx Brothers. The next you might cover the stylings of Alfred Hitchcock. In another semester, you might learn about the massive body of work of Humphrey Bogart. Still another could be the feel-good nature of Frank Capra movies.
I personally think its a great idea.