SECOND SUMMER TERM 2009
Intensive weekends, August 1 - 30
Classroom: SEM II, E 2109
Half-time program (8 credit hours)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: HIstorical films exert a powerful influence on the way we visualize the past.  In this program we will screen and critically analyze several feature-length films for their aesthetic characteristics and historical authenticity.  We will read historical texts to determine how films portray periods, events and characters.  We will also explore how a variety of topics--such as popular culture, screen-writing techniques, media literacy, business and technology--affect the making and understanding of historical films.

SYLLABUS (draft--a final version will be handed out on the first day of class)

REQUIRED BOOKS (available at the Evergreen College bookstore)

•  The Return of Martin Guerre (Natalie Davis - ISBN 978-0674766914)
•  Visions of the Past  (Robert Rosenstone - ISBN: 9780674940987)
•  Good Night and Good Luck ( George Clooney and Grant Heslov - ISBN  978-1557047144)
•  Titus Andronicus (William Shakespeare - ISBN:  97819034360509)

RECOMMENDED READING

•  The Great Republic (Bernard Bailyn)
•  Film Art  (David Bordwell & Kristin Thompson)
•  The Hollywood Historical Film (Robert Burgoyne)
•  The Historical Film: History and Memory in Media (Marcia Landy, ed.)
•  Women of the West (Cathy Luchetti)
•  How to Read a Film (James Monaco)
•  Thinking in Pictures (John Sayles)
•  The Persistance of History (Vivian Sobchack, ed.)
•  Gunfighter Nation (Richard Slotkin)
•  The Writer's Journey (Christopher Vogler)
•  It's Your Misfortune and None of my Own (Richard White)

FILMS (among those currently under consideration):
•  Gladiator
•  Titus
•  Amadeus
•  The Return of Martin Guerre
•  Galileo
•  The Madness of King George
•  Glory
•  Shane
•  High Noon
•  Unforgiven
•  Little Big Man
•  Reds
•  Casablanca
•  Downfall
•  Dr. Strangelove
•  Good Night and Good Luck
•  Other People's Lives
•  The Killing Fields
•  All the President's Men



Articles and other short readings will be available as pdf downloads once classes begin

Written and other assignments:  will include weekly seminar and portfolio papers, an annotated research bibliography, and a group project examining films and the primary and secondary source materials of a particular historical period. 
                                                           
**Screening films at home.  You will need to join Netflix for 5 weeks. It is the most economical and practical way to screen assigned films at home.  With Netflix you will have guaranteed access and the lowest price on film rentals.  It will also save you stress and the time spent going to the video store.  The library does not have all the films we will be screening.

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?