POSC 441: Politics and Film

Summer 2008

10:00 am – 10:50 am T/TH AND 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm WED

Room  Farrell 205

 

 

Class Overview: 

 

Since its inception, film has been used to convey political ideas, ideologies and policies upon the viewing public.  Film has been used to set political agendas, advocate governmental policies and influence political socialization. In this class we examine the techniques film directors, writers, and producers use to “manipulate” the viewing audience. 

 

Each class will begin with an introductory lecture to be followed with the viewing of one film or pieces of several films.  During the movie, you will be required to take notes on a “Film Scripting Template” (downloadable from this web site).  After the film is over, a follow up discussion of the film will incorporate the lecture and your notes.

 

Required Text:

 

A Short Guide to Writing about Film (Corrigan)-------------------------Redford Whispers, Time’s Up - Carpetbagger - Movies - Oscars - Awards - David Carr - New York Times Blog

Projecting Politics (Christensen and Haas)

Class reading packet

 

Graded Assignments:*

 

Two  4-5 page papers------------------------------------------50 pts each

Film Scripting Template folder (9 templates)----------------50 pts

Take home final-------------------------------------------------75 pts

Attendance-------------------------------------------------------50 pts

 

 

Week #-------------------Movie-------------------------------Reading Packet--------------------------------------Corrigan and Hass

 

1--Easy Rider (bit)                                 “The Hard Left and the Soft”                                             Corrigan: Chapter 1

---The Mouse that Roared (bit)  Introduction—Amer. History/Amer. Film                        Haas: Chapter 1   

----Sleeping Beauty/Beauty and the

----Beast/Pocahontas (bits)                                                                               

 

2                                              Metropolis                                           “Ideology”                                                                            Corrigan: Chapter 2

                                                Koyaanisqatsi (bit)                                                                                            Haas: Chapter 2

 

3                                              Dr. Strangelove                                 “The Pentagon and Hollywood”                                       Corrigan: Chapter 3

                                                Green Berets (bit)                            Regan and Kennedy’ speeches                                         Haas: Chapter 7

                                                Patton (bit)                               Reader pp. 135-144

                                                A Few Good Men (bit)

 

4                                  Do the Right Thing                    “What is the Right Thing?”                                Pp. 105-121

                                                Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

                                                Crash

Paper 1 Due

 

5                                              Thelma and Louise                           “Centralizing Feminism”

                                                                                                                “Gender Bender”

                                                                                                                “Toxic Feminism”

                                                                                                                “Women Who Kill Too Much”

                                                The Day After Tomorrow (bit)

 

6                                              Bob Roberts                              “Hollywood on the Campaign Trail”

                                                The Meaning of Life (bit)          Reader pp. 161- 169

 

7                                              V for Vendetta                                  “A What If Scenario of the Death Penalty”                          

 

8                                              Wall Street                                “Bashing America”                                              Haas: Chapter 9

 

9                                  Fahrenheit 9/11                         Reader pp. 145 - 160

                                    FahrenHYPE 9/11

Paper 2 Due

 

10                                 Pleasantville                              Declarations of War / Comic Book Clergy

                                                Wizard of Oz (bit)

                                    Star Trek VI (bit)

               

Scripting Folders Due (Thursday, March 7th, in class)

 

FINAL DUE IN MY OFFICE  (Thursday, March 14th by 12:00)

 

* Students who have special needs or disabilities that may affect their ability to access information or material presented in this course should contact the CWU Director of Disability Support Services at 509- 963-2171, TDD 963-2143 for appropriate accommodation.