PS 399:  Film and Politics

Spring 2008, CRN:  34361

Tuesday 5:30-9:20pm

177 LA

 

 

Instructor:  Jennifer Hehnke

jhehnke@uoregon.edu

261 PLC

Office Hours:   2-4

 

Course Description:

This course will explore how films reflect, shape and explain politics, values and ideas in the US political context.  Since its inception, film has been used to set political agendas, advocate governmental policies and influence political socialization. Film has been used to demonstrate the plight of the poor, minorities, women, the “other.” It has both challenged and upheld traditional American values and institutions.

We will examine the ideas embedded in film and also the techniques film directors, writers, and producers use to convey their messages. Consequently, the primary goal of this course is to learn how to actively exercise critical thought in a world of increasing exposure to “mass media” culture.

Each class will incorporate lecture and film viewing. We will watch the entirety of the primary film listed in the schedule, usually supplemented with clips from other films that capture important points we will need to be analyzing as well.

**It should be stressed there is no “objective interpretation” to film or the ideas encapsulated in a film. People use popular culture to define themselves and to create and give form to their personal identity and experience. This has wider political implications, reflecting and shaping ideas and behavior. As such, a critical examination of mass media in film serves to “raise analytic consciousness” rather than reaching hard and fast conclusions.**

 

Required Readings:

 

There are no required textbooks. All readings will be on posted on Blackboard under “Course Documents”

 

*A note about the readings:  I strongly encourage you to do the required readings prior to class.  This will help you engage with the films on a more critical level, and will also be necessary for your weekly assignments (see below).  This is why I have weekly reading quizzes.  They are not meant to harm you, but to help you keep on task with the readings.

 

 

Course Requirements and Grading Policies

 

Written assignments:  4 short papers-

All papers must be double-spaced, 12 pt font within 1” margins.  All papers must be turned in to class, never on email, never under the door.  If it’s late, turn it in to my locked box on the 9th floor of PLC.

 

Words written beyond the page limit will not be read.  Central to effective writing is to be able to say what you’re going to say efficiently and precisely.  It is essential that you read the Corrigan chapters listed.  We will be grading your papers on writing style and content.

 

·        Essay 1, Due beginning of class Week 2 (20% grade):  One page limit.  See “Weekly Outline” for topic.  Will be explained more in class

 

Essays 2 and 3 will be limited to 4 pages each.  They are comparative essays in which you will choose one topic week (such as Women in Film) and one secondary film either from the list on this syllabus or another film you believe appropriate for a comparative essay.  There are 3 critical components to these essays:

1.       Essay Question- you must develop and state your own essay question at the beginning of the paper- at the top.  This is an important feature of an essay because it will define your goal for the rest of the essay and hopefully limit your thoughts.  Remember, this is only 4 pages, so pick a question that can be answered within the limit.

2.       Thesis- you must develop an argument (thesis) stated in your introduction paragraph that shows what you are arguing about these two films within this thematic topic

3.       Utilization of secondary sources- at least 2 for each essay.  You must use at least one reading from the theme’s week plus another source of your choice.  This second source can either be from the assigned reading list OR something you find.  The second secondary source must be a critical review or article of a film OR a secondary source on the theme (such as feminism or race).

 

·        Essay 2, Due beginning of class Week 5  (20% grade):  Pick one week, either 2, 3 or 4.

 

·        Essays 3, Due beginning of class Week 9 (20% grade):  Pick one week, either 5, 6, 7, or 8

 

·        Essay 4, Due day of the Final (40%):  This final paper requires the same components of Papers 2 & 3, with three differences:

1.       I will post potential comparison films Week 9.  The comparisons will be two different films we watched in class, no secondary films.  There will be choice between a few comparisons.  If you have another comparison in mind, please talk to me because I’m amenable to creative ideas.

2.       5 page limit. 

3.       You MUST use the required readings from the two topic themes you use.  Therefore, if you didn’t think one reading or another was useful, pick one of the other choices. 

All the rest of the rules apply- even though I’m picking the comparative films, you still develop your own question, thesis and essay.

 

 

 

 

EXTRA CREDIT OPTION- the only one!

Blackboard Discussion Group.

If you think you may want extra credit at the end of class, this is your option.  You can develop a Blackboard discussion group, or I can develop one for you.  These groups will include at least 4 students and must become a running discussion about the topics/films in class. 

The rules:

  1. The discussion must be interactive (i.e. you must be engaged with the other students, not just posting your own ideas without responding to the group)
  2. You must be respectful and open to other group members.  I will be checking these groups periodically, so if I see any rude, disrespectful or otherwise inappropriate behavior from group members I have the authority to kick you out of the group.
  3. You will be graded on substance, not just words.  I will expect that you talk about themes we bring up in class along with your own thoughts and ideas.
  4. I don’t expect you to write on every topic, but at least 6 of the 9 film-viewing weeks.
  5. Remember, not everyone in the group is guaranteed extra credit.  You must do the work within the group to earn credit
  6. If you contribute substantively and consistently throughout the quarter, you could potentially boost your grade by 1/3 (if you have a B, you could get a B+, etc.).

 

*If you are interested, please contact me by Week 2.  If you have a group of students in mind you’d like to work with, please all come talk to me at the end of class or in my office hours.  If you want to be involved in a group of randomly assigned students, also please talk to me.  The discussion board will be set up after class Week 2, so will be ready for lively discussion for the first film topic.

 

Student email accounts:  You must have and use a uoregon.edu email account.  I often send notes across Blackboard using everyone’s uoregon accounts.  Please make sure you check your uoregon account on a regular basis.

 

Late Papers: If you happen to be sick when your paper assignment is due bring a note from the doctor explaining this (e-mails and phone calls will not suffice).  Other papers not turned in on the assigned day will be docked half a letter grade per day (e.g., an A would become a B+, B- would become a C after one day late). After three days papers will not be accepted.  No late final papers accepted past the day of the final.

 

 

Plagiarism and Cheating: Conviction will result in failing the class.  I have no tolerance for plagiarizing or cheating. Plagiarism and cheating undermine the purpose of academia and disadvantage other students. If I suspect you are cheating I will follow guidelines outlined by judicial affairs. If that doesn’t work, I’ll let them sort it out. As far as plagiarism is concerned, here is the golden rule: When in doubt, cite it! If you are using someone else’s words, put them in quotes and cite the source.  If you are using someone else’s ideas to further your argument, cite it even when not using quotes.  If you don’t do these things at a minimum you are guilty of plagiarism. Please see the following UO website for clarification and guidance: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students/

 

Attendance: Attendance for the class is heavily recommended.  I will be requiring and expecting you to use material from lectures in your critical essays.  I will be doing most of the lecturing prior to the film viewing in class, but will also be stopping in the middle of the film in order to bring up new important points in the form of group-discussions.  Just because we’re watching the film, doesn’t mean you should leave.

 

Other notes: Please contact me ASAP if you are a student with disabilities. It would be helpful if you first contact Disability Services, 164 Oregon Hall, at 346.1155 and have them advise me as to how to best meet your needs.

 

Re-grading of materials:  You may request re-grading of assignments.  If you wish to make such a request, you must provide a one-page written explanation of why you wish to have the assignment re-graded.  You must take this explanation to the GTF who graded your paper.  If you are not happy after that has been done, you can come to me.

 

Four final notes….

  • One… on instructor bias:  I have political biases, as does everyone.  Being an instructor puts me in a position of authority and influence. I definitely have opinions and values, but I also try to seek out information that may challenge these personal biases.  As your instructor, I will constantly strive to be aware of my biases and try to counter them with an honest and fair assessment of the other sides. I will also try to use bias for constructive and instructive purposes by taking various sides of debates for the sake of debate and encouraging you all to do the same.  What I ask from you is that you too become aware of your learned biases and learn to question them continually throughout this class.  This will lead to a more accepting and more exciting learning environment where we will all be striving to understand our own biases so that we may attain knowledge beyond simply bolstering our already formed opinions and values.
  • two… about student emails.  I will not respond to emails if I know the answer can be found on Blackboard.  If you don’t get a response from me within 48 hours, it’s most likely because the answer can be found on Blackboard (which will include the syllabus).  Otherwise, I will respond to emails within 48 hours.  Do not expect email responses before that.  This means, you must plan ahead.  No last minute questions will be answered. 
  • Three… I will expect you to be keeping up with announcements on Blackboard.  If something is posted on Blackboard, you are responsible for knowing that message.  I will not be sending out reminder emails.
  • And four… please come and talk to me or the GTFs!  We are here to help you and encourage you to learn and be excited about knowledge!  I always abide by the old adage, “there is never a stupid question!!”   I always enjoy talking with students one-on-one, so please stop by!.

 

 

Weekly Outline

 

Part I

Week 1

Topic:  Intro to class, expectations, and Ideology in Film

Film:  No film in class

Readings:  Franklin, “American Political Ideology and American Film”

                   Corrigan, “Writing About the Movies” and “Style and Structure in Writing”

 

**First Writing Assignment, Due for everyone Week 2: 

Interpret a current top-grossing film (either recently in the theater or just out on video) from 2 different ideological perspectives discussed in class and in Franklin.  One page only!!- double-space.

Note:  The goal of this is to read the assigned chapters and attempt to interpret a film through ideology using the writing tips from the Corrigan to develop skills to aid in writing short papers.  You should avoid wordiness, passive voice, and any extra language that does not help your ideas.

 

Week 2

Topic: Production, Technique, “Formalism” and Political Message (case:  drug policy)

Primary Film:  Traffic

Secondary Films:  Easy Rider, French Connection, Requiem for a Dream, Spun, Tell the Children, Maria Full of Grace

Readings:  Christensen and Haas, “The Making of a Message” and “Appendix I”

       Bertram et al “Three Fatal Flaws in the War on Drugs,”

       Baum, “Just Say No,”

 

 

Week 3

Topic:  Media and Power

Primary Film: Network

Secondary Films: All the President’s Men, The Insider

Readings: Ehrlich, Matthew C. “News and Conspiracy”

                  Franklin, “Industry and Bias:  The Political Economy of Film”          

 

 

Week 4

Topic:  Projecting Paranoia (case:  nuclear disaster)

Primary Film: Dr. Strangelove

Secondary Films:  Conspiracy Theory, Enemy of the State, National Treasure, The Manchurian Candidate, The China Syndrome, Lonely are the Brave, Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, The Island, The Matrix

Readings:  Pratt, Projecting Paranoia

 

**NOTE:  Second essay due NEXT WEEK****

 

 

 

Part II

 

Week 5  ***2nd Paper DUE at 5:30***

Topic:  Cause and Effect I?  Politicians and Politics

Primary Film: Bob Roberts

Secondary Films:  Bulworth, Dave, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The American President

Readings:  Scott, “Hollywood on the Campaign Trail,”

 

 

Week 6

Topic:  Cause and Effect II? Capitalism, Freedom, Social Disjuncture, Violence

Primary Film:  Fight Club

Secondary Films: Taxi Driver, Office Space, Boiler Room, Clockwatchers, Roger and Me, Wall Street, American Beauty

Readings: Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom

                  Franklin, “Film Content:  Cause or Effect?”

 

 

Week 7

Topic: The “Outsider,” Part I:  Women in Film

Primary Film:  Thelma and Louise

Secondary Films: Fatal Attraction, Nine to Five, Pleasantville, The Stepfather, The Temp, The Stepford Wives, Charlie’s Angels, Working Girl, Basic Instinct,

Readings: Caulson,”What Feminism is all About,”  

                  Rapping, “Centralizing Feminism: Thelma and Louise,” Leo, “Toxic Feminism on the Big         

        Screen,”

                  Shapiro, “Women Who Kill Too Much”  

 

 

Week 8

Topic:  The “Outsider” Part II:  Homosexuality in Film

Primary Film:  The Birdcage

Secondary Films:  And The Band Played On, It’s In the Water, Jeffrey, Nightbreed, The Lost Boys, TranzAmerica

Readings: Benshoff, “Monsters in the Closet,”

      Russo, “The Celluloid Closet”

 

Week 9--** 3rd Essay Due- 5:30!!!!*****

Topic:  History, Content and Context:  Racial Politics

Primary Film:  American History X

Secondary Films: Bamboozled, Do the Right Thing, Boyz in the Hood, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Menace to Society, Jungle Fever, Crash

Readings:  Rocchio, “Reel Racism,”

                   Rogin, “Black Face, White Noise,”

       Doane, “Rethinking Whiteness Studies”

 

Week 10

Topic:  History, Content and Context:  War

Primary Films:  Apocalypse Now,

Secondary Films:  any war film, Deer Hunter, Jarhead

Readings:  Haas, “Haas War Chapters” on blackboard

       Rachel Gans-Boriskin and Russ Tisinger. “The Bushlet Administration”

                   Auge, Etienne. “Hollywood Movies: Terrorism 101”

                  

 

 

FINAL PAPERS due Day of FINAL exam- -No late papers will be accepted at all.  If you are one prone to last minute disasters, please plan ahead and try to get them done in advance.  Papers can either be turned into my office when I am there- day of final between 4 and 5:30, or to my locked box on the 9th floor of PLC.