AMST360

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AMST360

Myth and Ideology at the Movies AMST360 SP

Crosslistings: FILM315

Not Currently Offered

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 $35.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA ART

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-22-1999

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