Eleven of the required films will be shown in class. The others are outside of class viewing assignments. All these films are on reserve in the audiovisual section of the Kuhn Library. You may view them there at your convenience. With one or two exceptions, they will be easy to find in any good video rental store. You should try to see each film twice before we take it up in class.
All the titles are linked to the Internet Movie Database. Click on the titles to get cast lists, production credits, plot summaries, links to WEB sites related to the title, and much more related information.
If you have any questions concerning the films or the assignments please contact me at landon@gl.umbc.edu.
Reference Materials:
| Literature Sites |
Class Assignments:
Click on the individual class dates to find study questions which should be useful in preparing for lectures and the class discussions. They can also serve as a guide for your journal entries. The Journals, critical essay, and final examination may be submitted by e-mail. Click on the links for a description of each requirement and for directions for submitting them by e-mail.
January 2nd: Watching Movies.
Class Lecture and Discussion. Introduction to the Course: Reading Popular Films.
Class Film: Fistful of Dollars (1964/67). Outside Film: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).
January 3rd : Foundational Myths: Happy Childhoods and Transcendent Heroes.
Class Lecture and Discussion. Prologue: American Dreams and Mythic Archetypes.
Class Film: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Outside Film: Raiders of the Lost Arc (1981).
January 8th : Troubles in Dreamland.
Class Lecture and Discussion. Surviving Nightmares with Steven Spielberg.
Class Film:Jurrasic Park (1993). Outside Film: Jaws (1975).
Journals for Week #1 (January 2nd and 3rd) due.
January 9th : Thrills from the First Bite to the Last.
Class Lecture and Discussion. Spielberg's Treatment of Nightmares and Tragedies.
Class Film: Amistad (1997). Outside Film: The Color Purple (1985).
January 10th : From Entertainment to Social Engagement.
Class Lecture and Discussion. Spielberg Confronts Racism in America.
Class Film: Empire of the Sun (1987). Outside Film Schindler's List (1993).
January 15th : World War II and the Holocaust.
Class Lecture and Discussion. World War II: Coming of Age.
Class Film: Saving Private Ryan (1998). Outside Film: NONE.
The first brief essay is due today. Choose one of the films we have viewed and write a two-page (500) word essay on a character who, in your estimation, exemplifies some aspect of Spielberg's recurring interests.
Journals for Week #2 (Jan 8th, 9th, and 10th) due.
January 16th : Genre, Realism, and Stephen Spielberg.
Class Lecture and Discussion. The Director's Attempts to Use Generic Conventions to Confront Tragic Realities
Class Film: Dirty Harry (1971). Outside Film: High Plains Drifter (1985).
January 17th : The Hero as Demi-God.
Class Lecture and Discussion. The Eastwood Hero Falls into History.
Class Film: Play Misty for Me (1971). Outside Film: Bronco Billy (1980).
January 22nd : A Different Kind of Hero.
Class Lecture and Discussion. The Eastwood Persona Plays Against Type and is Parodied.
Class Film: Unforgiven (1992). Outside Films: In the Line of Fire (1993 ) and Pale Rider (1985).
Second brief paper due today.Choose one of the films we have viewed and write a two-page (500) word essay on a psychological or social factor which undermines the heroic nature of the Eastwood screen persona.
January 23th : Deconstructing the Eastwood Hero.
Class Lecture and Discussion. Hero and Villian as Mirror Images.
Class Film: and Space Cowboys (2000).
Journals for Week #3 (Jan. 15th, 16th, and 17th) due.
January 24th : Innocence Regained.
Class Lecture and Discussion. Earn It: Innocence Regained.
Class Film: NONE . Outside Film: NONE.
Click here for the Final Examination.
All Final Examinations are due in my office (Fine Arts, Room 437) by 12:00 PM.