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Nationality and Power at the Movies: The Combat Film
AMST362 SP
Crosslistings: FILM316
Myth is one of the primary constituents of national identity, and war-stories have been fundamental constituents of myth at least since THE ILIAD. We will study the combat film as a major vehicle for national mythology
in the U.S., from the Great War
through the present, with particular attention to the role of media in American culture, the processes of genre formation in Hollywood, the relationship of movies to changing ideologies of nationality, ethnicity, race
and state power in this century.
MAJOR READINGS
Slotkin, GUNFIGHTER NATION Hodgson, AMERICA IN OUR TIME Basinger, WORLD WAR II COMBAT FILM Jones, THIN RED LINE Herr, DISPATCHES Mailer, NAKED AND THE DEAD Mauldin, BILL MAULDIN'S ARMY Plus readings from
contemporary magazines; book
chapters, articles xeroxed on reserve.
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A midterm paper on course films, 8 pp. A final paper, research or critical, 20 pp.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
It is strongly recommended that students have either AMST201, ARFS303, or some other film course, and some background in either American literature or American history. No one will be admitted after the first class.
Anyone who misses more than three
classes will be asked to withdraw, since viewings cannot be made up. There is a lab fee of $40.
COURSE FORMAT:
Lecture
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ART
Grading Mode:
Graded
Prerequisites:
AMST200 OR FILM303 OR AMST201
Last Updated on MAR-24-2000
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459