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Academic Year 2004/2005

Myth and Ideology at the Movies
AMST 360 SP
Crosslistings:
FILM 315

The course is concerned with the ways in which a popular art form like the movies affects and is affected by the ideology of the culture in which it is produced. We will study the processes by which genres arise in movies, how they develop historically, how they register ideological change, how they break up and recombine. The course will concentrate on the evolution of the "Mexico Western" as a mythic response to the problems of revolution and decolonization from the Great Depression through the Vietnam War.

MAJOR READINGS

Slotkin, GUNFIGHTER NATION;
Hodgson, AMERICA IN OUR TIME;
Brenner, WIND THAT SWEPT MEXICO;
Ledereor & Burdick, UGLY AMERICAN;
plus readings from contemporary magazines; some book chapters, essays xeroxed on reserve.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

A midterm paper of 10 pp. A final research or critical paper of 20 pages.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

No one will be admitted after the first class; anyone who misses more than three films will be required to withdraw, since viewings cannot be made up. There is a lab fee of $40.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ART    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: [AMST200 or LAST200] OR AMST201 OR FILM304 OR FILM310 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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