North American Culture and Identity Through Film

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North American Identity Through Film

(Hollywood e a Identidade Norte-Americana)

2011
Friday, 9:10 – 10:50pm, Classroom Numberm 174

Professor Carolina Escalera

Email: caroescalera@gmail.com
Office Location: Sala de Permanência 22
Office Hours: by appointment.

Course Description

This course provides us with an opportunity to explore North American culture and identity
through various American films. The objective of the class is to position contemporary
American cinema in its broader historical and cultural contexts. The aim is for students to
develop analysis, critique and understanding of the diversity of societies and culture though
American films.

Course Expectations and Policies

• CLASS PARTICIPATION: About two-thirds of the class is devoted to discussion of the

films. The course is designed so that you can learn from your interactions with other
students. Accordingly, attendance will be taken and your instructor will note your level of
participation in each class session.
• Active and informed participation is required of all students.
• Your ideas, questions, and comments are vital to the success of this course.
• Engage the material. Think about it. Be ready to talk about it in class. Be ready to write
about it. Talk about it with classmates outside of class.
• Complete all readings and assignments prior to class and arrive prepared to engage with
the materials
• Classes will be a mixture of lectures, discussions, activities, and group work. Being
absent, late, leaving early, and unexcused absences will adversely impact your attendance
and participation grade.
• If you miss a class it is your responsibility to get the information presented from another
student.
• I expect you to be present on the scheduled dates for the assessments, and to turn in
assignments on time. Any exceptions must be cleared with your instructor IN
ADVANCE.
• ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Your work should be your own. We encourage discussion of
the material outside of class, but your answers to questions, whether on the final exam or
in the take-home assignments, should be formulated alone. Penalties for any breach of
academic integrity will be imposed by the instructor and may include failing the course.
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Incidents will also be reported to the department, where penalties may also be applied.
Check with your instructor if you have questions or concerns.
• Please notify me about any needs or disabilities that should be accommodated
• Film Content Warning: The films shown in this course contain strong language, nudity,
sexual situations, violence, controversial subjects, and complex philosophical ideas that
might be disturbing to you. If any of these attributes will prevent you from viewing,
discussing, or writing about these films, this course is not for you and you should drop it.

Instructional Methods
Methods include screening and analysis of selected films, oral and written presentations, class
discussion, group work, individual projects, research, and selected readings.

Course Competencies
Students will be able to:
1) identify the chief elements of major film genres and understand their importance in American
culture.
2) be aware of the representation of gender, race, ethnicity, class, and ideology on the screen.
3) become active, critical viewers of film.
4) develop and apply their own criteria for judging the artistic merits, entertainment value, and
ethical implications of the movies that they watch.
5) write film reviews, documented essays, or film treatments that demonstrate critical analysis,
research skills, and creative judgment
6) give a collaborative oral presentation on a given film topic that involves sound research,
careful planning, and preparation of appropriate materials

Grading and Assignments

Your grades for the course will be composed of four parts:

Class attendance, participation and discussions

Assignments
Midterm
Group Project and Presentation

A (90-100) = demonstrates that you have exceeded expectations and have a strong command of
the material
B (80-90) = meets basic expectations and shows a good command of the material.
C (70-80)= indicates some problems or confusion with the material presented.
D (60-70) = shows significant problems grasping or communicating the main ideas of the
material.
F (0-60) = reveals major problems with the main ideas, conceptions, and questions in the course
material.

More details regarding the group project and presentation, midterm and final exams will be
announced. Exams will be cumulative and cover the reading materials, lectures, discussion and
any films shown in class. If you anticipate an event that will make it impossible to submit a
paper or take an exam, it is your responsibility to contact me well in advance.
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Films
(Films will not necessarily be shown in this order. Order of the films and schedule of the class
will be submitted separately. This is not a conclusive list of films and more will be added or
removed.)

- Crash
- Babel
- Boyz in the Hood
- The Color Purple
- Waiting for Superman
- Food Inc.
- Saving Private Ryan
- The Patriot
- American Beauty
- The Hangover
- Dogville
- Episodes from the show Friday Night Lights
- The Hurt Locker
- The Social Network
- Traffic