US. History In Film

[bi11y_mays]

I am preparing a syllabus for US. History 2111, which is a survey course covering all US history from colonization to current, for a university I am applying to teach at (a large liberal Arts college in the Southeast US), and I plan for the students to watch a film that is historically based (or at least reflects the time they are filmed in) and

Comments

[pastorlenny]

Dog Day Afternoon.

[underlankers]

To be blunt anyone who read a more modern take on that narrative would have known this kind of thing, including the blatant lies about the missile gap. In fact I've used this as one of my major clubs to beat Kennedy over the head with in terms of his legacy and made unfavorable comparisons of this and Bush's fearmongering about non-existent weapons and making a non-threat into greatest threat ever. The real JFK was a more interesting man than his caricature, but he was also rather as much an epic fail as Fransisco Solano Lopez (the guy who single-handedly was the worst dictator in human history).

[devil_ad_vocate]

It's a good list, except maybe for Bonnie and Clyde - which was neither historically accurate or reflective of the times - not to say it wasn't a good movie.

[bi11y_mays]

Hmm... maybe the original Scarface would work.

[yes_justice]

I would replace SNF with Harold and Maude.

[bi11y_mays]

SNF is to look at late seventies pop culture, does H&M reflect the seventies? I've never seen it. I was thinking about China Syndrome, I might add that one.

[yes_justice]

SNF is to look at late seventies pop culture

Oh. At the time, it was to look at John Travolta.

[underlankers]

I have a question here. Is this intended to be a reflection of popular culture here or historical accuracy? If the latter, I'd skip films altogether as Hollywood and historical accuracy have never meshed.

[bi11y_mays]

A little of both. My goal is for the students to watch a film, and using the material they have learned in class and out, interpret the film in the context it is filmed, and explain whether or not they feel it is effective in reflecting the period it is set in.

[underlankers]

That's a good concept, but I'd square it with asking them to read about each era/event depicted and to also compare it to the actual events and see just what was changed and where.

[bi11y_mays]

Good idea, but this assignment is just a small portion of the overall work (the assignment is a 3 page paper- synopsis and analysis). I might risk a student revolt if I add on too much!