HIST156 Interpreting History Through Cinema

Department of Social & Behavioral Science: History

  1. Course Number and Title

    HIST156 Interpreting History Through Cinema (Experimental)

  2. Number of Credits

    3 credits

  3. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

    2250

  4. Prerequisites

    None

    Corequisites

    None

  5. Other Pertinent Information

    None

  6. Catalog Course Description

    Cinema has become one of the most provocative and effective modes of mass communication. This course recognizes the uniqueness of film as an alternate method for exploring, dissecting and comprehending history. Students will view, analyze and evaluate films which depict pivotal circumstances and cataclysmic events in history.

  7. Required Course Content and Direction

    1. Learning Goals:

      1. Course Learning Goals

        2. Students will be able to:

        1. evaluate the effectiveness and liabilities of film as a historical medium;
        2. analyze film content for point of view and historical accuracy; and
        3. identify and understand associations between historically relevant events and portrayals in cinema.

      2. Core Learning Goals (if applicable)

        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

      1. The Evolution of Revolution
      2. Native Americans on Screen
      3. Keeping it Real - The Civil War
      4. The Great Depression
      5. Charlie Chaplin vs. Adolph Hitler
      6. The Holocaust on Celluloid
      7. Effective Propaganda – Capra vs. Riefenstahl
      8. Morality and the Motion Picture Production Code
      9. The HUAC and the Hollywood Blacklist
      10. Political Idealism
      11. Exploring Gender – Empowered Women
      12. Race – Debunking Stereotypes
      13. Race (part 2) and Social Class
      14. The Business of America
      15. Cinematic Coincidence: Three Mile Island and the China Syndrome

    3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

      1. Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals

        2. Written examination, quizzes, student performance-based projects and a major research project.

      2. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals (if applicable)

        3. This course is not included in the Core.

    4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

      Textbook, JSTOR scholarly articles, DVD films, imdb.com (the internet movie database), online resources.

  8. Teaching Methods Employed

    Section VIII is not being used in new and revised syllabi as of 12/10/08.

Review/Approval Date - Unavailable