*Summer 2008 *
PS 399, CRN: 41666
Film and Politics
July 22-August 14; TR 4:00-7:50pm
Instructor: Jennifer Hehnke
261 PLC
Office Hours: 2:30-4pm TR, or by appointment
Course Description:
Come and join us for a fun exploration of
American political issues through the lens of film! This course will explore topics in American
politics and how they are explored in major motion pictures, as well as how films
reflect, shape and explain politics, values and ideas in the
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
There are no
required textbooks. All readings will be on posted on Blackboard under
“Course Documents”
A Netflix
subscription might be useful for you this term.
It’s much less expensive than a textbook, and being that you’ll have to
watch films on your own or might want to re-watch some of the films from class,
you might want to try it out. Of course,
the public library has a plethora of films you could also use for your papers
and are free for borrowing.
Course Requirements and Grading Policies
_____________________________________________________
Essays
(2)- 50% grade
·
Essay
1, Due beginning of class July 31st (20% grade): Pick
one topic from 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class.
·
Essay
2, Due beginning of class August 14th (30% grade):
Pick one
topic from 4th-7th classes.
** See Blackboard for detailed explanation of
paper components and expectations
**Essays will be 5-7 pages each.
Scripting
Template- 25% grade
You will be required to fill out a film-scripting
template while viewing the film each day.
These will be graded on a simple check, check plus, or check minus
system. You will turn these in at the
end of the film each class. Templates
are available on Blackboard for you to print off.
Group
Discussion Board- 25% grade
You will all be entered into small discussion
groups at the beginning of class. All
you have to do is participate in on-line discussions about the movies and
thematic topics to get this part of your grade.
What I will be looking for is frequent participation (at least 2
100-word posts per week, or equivalent words), conversation with the rest of
your group (talking with them), and analysis of the film and the topic (nix the
movie reviews and simple opinions).
Discussion Board will be open until August 15th.
_____________________________________________________
Other Information
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). 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/
Disabilities: Please
contact me ASAP if you are a student
with disabilities. It would be helpful if you first contact Disability
Services, 164
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 bring this explanation to me, and
then we can chat.
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! I’m 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
July 22nd
Topic: Intro and Ideology, Politicians in Film
Film: Bulworth
Secondary
Films: Bob Roberts, Dave, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The American President
Corrigan, “Writing About the Movies” and “Style and Structure in Writing”
July 24th
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, A Scanner Darkly
Bertram et al “Three Fatal
Flaws in the War on Drugs,”
Baum, “Just Say No,”
July 29th ***ESSAY 1 DUE
at Beginning of Class**
Topic: Projecting Paranoia (case: nuclear disaster and Cold War)
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
Haas, “Haas War Chapters” on blackboard
July 31st
Topic: Media and Power
Primary Film: Network
Secondary
Films: All the President’s Men, The Insider
August 5th
Topic: Cause and Effect II? Capitalism, Freedom, Social Disjuncture
Primary Film: Office Space
Secondary Films: Taxi Driver, Fight Club, Boiler Room, Clockwatchers, Roger and Me, Wall Street, American Beauty
Readings
August 7th
Topic: 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
Russo, “The Celluloid
Closet”
August 12th
Topic: 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,
Rapping, “Centralizing
Feminism: Thelma and Louise,” Leo, “Toxic Feminism on the Big
Screen,”
Shapiro, “Women Who Kill
Too Much”
August
14th ***The Final Essay 2 is the final exam
DUE by 5pm
to 261 PLC
If you want to turn in the final essay early, please a copy in my locked box on the 9th floor of PLC. No papers are accepted over email.