Syl350.htm

SYLLABUS FOR COM 350--POLITICS AND FILM

Professor Lloyd Rohler
Leutze Hall 235. Phone 962-3093.
Office Hours: MWF 1:30-2:30, and TTh 1:30-3:00 and by apt. any day

FOCUS OF COURSE:

Politics and Film examines the way American movies have portrayed politics from the Great Depression to the present day. The course focuses on the way the dramatic structure of film is used to convey a point of view about politicians and the workings of the political system to the American public. Dramatic stories conveyed through images have such broad persuasive appeal that they come to represent the "truth" about the complex imterplay of people and forces that make up the political world. We will investigate this process through a critical examination of thirteen political films.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Students will investigate how the dramatic structure of the medium of film conveys meaning about politics to the audience.

Students will investigate and discuss the historical background of the various films to see how reality is frequently changed by the film makers to meet the needs of an entertainment medium.

Students will gain a greater understanding of the dramatic requirements of the medium through a comparative analysis of the development of the political film.

Students will learn how the dramatistic perspective of Kenneth Burke can be used to develop a greater understanding of the persuasive effects of political films.

ASSIGNMENTS:

The class will view twelve films and discuss them. To facilitate discussion, three students will be assigned in advance to be responsible for downloading from the net or reading in the library material on the film and its political background. This could include contemporary reviews of the film and later scholarly commentary about the importance of the film and its theme. Particular attention should be given to explaining to the class the political background of the film. For example, The Last Hurrah is loosely based on a real mayor of Boston and presents a somewhat romantic view of his actions and that of his political machine. How realistic is it? Those who are assigned to make the presentations should consult with me before hand and work together to make a coherent presentation to the class. There will be a midterm exam and a final. Both will be essay.

COURSE POLICIES:

Grades will be based on the following percentages: 30% for the class presentation and 70% for tests with the final test counting for 40%. Obviously, attendance is strongly encouraged. You need to be present to view the films in order to write the exams. You also need to make an effective presentation. There is no separate grade for attendance. Students should read the section on Academic Dishonesty in the Student Code. Pluses and Minuses will be given for final grades using the following scale: By Percentage 93 - 100 = A 90 - 92 = A- 87 - 89 = B+ 83 - 86 = B 80 - 82 = B- 77 - 79 = C+ 73 - 76 = C 70 - 72 = C- 67 - 69 = D+ 63 - 66 = D 60 - 62 = D- 59 & below = F