UD History Department Presents

A May-Curtis Production

HIST 221: Film and American Society-Fall 2000

TEACHING ASSISTANTS:                        LINK: Internet Movie Database

Rebecca Monroe and This course consists of lectures, readings, class discussion and weekly films. It explores the relationship between American movies and American life from the 1930s to the 1990s. Since the course coincides with the presidential campaign of 2000, there will be a special emphasis on films dealing with American politics. There will be one mid-term examination on October 10th and a two hour final examination on December 12th. (See page two for details)

August 29: Introduction--Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
    reading: no assigned reading.

September 5: "Hollywood and the Cold War (1)"--The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
    reading: Whitfield, Chapters 1-6;  Mintz, pp. 195-202; Quart, pp.40-69; Brinkley, pp.370-405.

September 12: "Hollywood and the Cold War (2)"--High Noon (1952)
    reading:  Whitfield, chapters 1-6; Quart, pp.40-69; Brinkley, pp.446-462.

September 19: "Hollywood and the Cold War (3)"--On the Waterfront (1954)
    reading: Mintz, pp. 211-220; Whitfield, Chapters 7-epilogue; Brinkley, 446-462.

September 26: "Hollywood and the Bomb (1)"--Dr.Strangelove Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    reading: Mintz, pp. 252-264; see also references to Strangelove in Whitfield, pp.218-225;Quart,pp.71-100.
 

October 3: "Hollywood and the Bomb(2)"--Seven Days in May (1964)
    reading: Brinkley, pp.463-468, 484-490; Quart, pp.71-100.

October 10: MIDTERM and "Hollywood and the 60s,"--Wild in the Streets (1968)
    reading: Brinkley, pp.503-530; Quart, pp.71-100; Mintz, pp. 265-274.
 

October 17: "Hollywood and Race (1)"--Mississippi Burning (1988)
    reading: Brinkley,pp.429-445,474-483; Quart,p.166.

October 24: "Hollywood and Race (2)"--In the Heat of the Night (1967)

  reading:Mintz,pp.112-123; Quart,pp.85-86.164-169.

October 31: "Hollywood and Vietnam"--Full Metal Jacket (1987)
    reading: Brinkley,pp.490-502, 531-537; Mintz, pp.231-241, 284-297.

November 7: ELECTION DAY!!!--NO CLASS

November 14: "Hollywood and the 70s (1)"--All the President's Men (1976)
    reading: Brinkley, pp.531-551; Quart, pp.103-134.

November 21: "Hollywood and the 70s(2)"--Network (1976)
    reading:Brinkley, pp.552-565; Quart ,pp.103-134,

November 28: "Hollywood and the Presidency--1981-2000 (1)"--Dave (1993)
    reading: Brinkley, pp.565-607; Mintz, pp.298-319.

December 5: "Hollywood and the Presidency--1981-2000 (2)"--Air Force One (1997)
    reading:Brinkley, pp.565-607, Mintz, pp.298-319.

December 12: FINAL EXAM 7-9 p.m.


Prof. G. May: Office 119 Munroe Hall, Office Hours: Wed. 2:00-4:00 p.m., e-mail: garymay@udel.edu

Prof. J. Curtis: Office 304A Old College, Office Hours:, e-mail: jcurtis@udel.edu

Rebecca Monroe: Office, Office Hours:, e-mail:
 
 

COURSE POLICIES and things that drive May and Curtis PSYCHO
EXAMINATIONS: The midterm will be given on Tuesday Night, October 10. It will be a one hour essay exam based on class lectures, readings, and films covered to that date. Details will be given well in advance of the exam. The midterm counts 45% of the grade. A two hour cumulative final exam will be given on December 12 from 7-9 p.m. NO make-up exams will be given except for extraordinary emergencies which must be fully documented in writing.
CLASS READING: Students are REQUIRED to read the assigned books and essays. Questions on both exams cannot be answered without drawing on class reading. Repeating lecture material alone, without incorporating class reading, will not be good enough to earn a good grade in the course.
REQUIRED FILMS: Students are responsible for all films listed in the syllabus. They are expected to take notes on these films, recording the names of key characters and crucial scenes and to incorporate such information in their exams.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR: Students are REQUIRED to attend the entire class, which includes both the lecture and the films. Attendance will be monitored. Reading, sleeping, and chatting with friends is NOT acceptable behavior. Such infractions will be punished according to the regulations set out in the University Handbook On Dishonesty and Behavior. Students should obtain a copy of this document from Dean of Students' office. There may be occasions when class runs beyond 10 p.m. because of the length of the film. If students must leave at 10 p.m., please do so quietly.
IF YOU FIND THESE POLICIES UNACCEPTABLE,
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS COURSE.