FIRST SUMMER TERM 2007
Half-time program (8 credit hours)

Historical films often reveal more about contemporary culture than they do about history.   And yet, as the writer Gore Vidal and many professional historians have observed, a majority of Americans derive their knowledge of history more from commercial films and television than from textbooks or teachers. History According to Film will study this phenomenon.   A film can be artistically pleasing and a commercial success, but historically inaccurate.   Conversely, a film may be very accurate historically and yet unsatisfying and lacking in aesthetic value.   We will screen and critically analyze several feature-length films for their aesthetic characteristics and historical authenticity.   We will also explore a variety of topics relating to how popular culture, values, commercial pressures, aesthetics, and technology affect the making of historical films.

SYLLABUS (will be linked as PDF soon)

FILMS (currently under consideration):

•  Gladiator
•  Titus
•  Danton
•  Amadeus
•  Unforgiven
•  The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez
•  Glory
•  Little Big Man
•  Grapes of Wrath
•  Casablanca
•  Dr. Strangelove
•  The Flags of our Fathers


REQUIRED BOOKS:

•  Titus Andronicus (The Arden Shakespeare/ISBN 1903436052)
•  Amadeus by Peter Schaffer
•  Casablanca (link to screenplay)
•  Additional readings will be available as pdf downloads once classes begin

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

    •  How to Read a Film  (James Monaco)
    •  Movie-Made America  (Robert Sklar)
    •  Film Art  (David Bordwell & Kristin Thompson)

REPRESENTATIVE QUESTIONS that will form the basis of our LEARNING GOALS:

•  How has the portrayal of history on film evolved during the past century?

•  How do the aesthetic differences between film and literary forms affect the study of historical subjects?  For example, how does narrative impact the manner in which a film portrays history?

•  What can we learn from a history book that we cannot learn from a film and vice versa?

•  In what ways do film images enhance or undermine our understanding of history?

•  What roles do popular culture and technology play in the presentation of history on film?

•  How does the business and culture of Hollywood (or the studio system) influence the portrayal of history in the screenwriting process?   In the production process?

•  Is it important that a film be historically accurate given the budgetary and commercial forces that dominate the film industry?   Are independent films less likely to misrepresent history?

•  Why Is an enlightened skepticism necessary when viewing historical films?