SYLLABUS

English 348W: Literature and Culture

Pulp Fictions, Alien Technologies, and Strange Families   

Required Films:

Ten 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 audio-visual 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 tore. You should try to see each film twice before we take it up in class.

These 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.

In addition to the we have a list of optional films which can be used for the individual special projects.

Click on the individual weeks to find study questions, individual assignments and the student discussion list.

Week One

Class Lecture and Discussion: Introduction to the Course

Class Film: Forrest Gump (1995). Outside Film: Independence Day (1996).

Week Two

Class lecture and discussion. Hollywood Blockbusters: The Way We Wish We Were

Class Film: Red Rock West (1992).  Outside Film: Fargo (1996).

Week Three

Class lecture and discussion. Life in the Heartland, I: Toto, We're Not in Mayberry Anymore, and Father Doesn't Know Best.

Class Film: Sling Blade (1996). Outside Film: Trees Lounge (1996).

Week Four

Class lecture and discussion. Life in the Heartland, II: And There's No Yellow Brick Road.

Class Film: Leaving Las Vegas (1995). Outside Film, Casino (1995).

Week Five

Class lecture and discussion. Life in the Heartland, III: But, Who Needs the Wizard of Oz When We Have Las Vegas?

Class Film: Get Shorty (1995). Outside Film: The Player (1992).

Week Six

Class lecture and discussion. The Dream Factory West: Hollywood -- Where Reality Becomes Myth.

Class Film: Bob Roberts (1992). Outside Film: In the Line of Fire (1993).

Week Seven

Class lecture and discussion. The Dream Factory East: Washington -- Where Myth Becomes Reality.

Class Film: Blade Runner (1982).  Outside Film: Robocop (1987).

Week Eight

Class lecture and discussion. Aliens and Cyborgs, I: Make Way for Tomorrow -- Free Markets and Bleak Futures.

Class Film: Body Snatchers (1993). Outside Film: Strange Days (1995).

Week Nine

Class lecture and discussion. Aliens and Cyborgs, II: They Came from Outer Space to Invade Our Inner Space -- Vanishing Identities.

Class Film: To Die For (1995). Outside Film: Falling Down (1993).

Week 10

Class lecture and discussion. Outlaws Are Us, I: How Were Things at the Office Today?

Class Film: Pulp Fiction (1994) Outside Film: True Romance (1993).

Week 11

Class lecture and discussion. Outlaws Are Us, II: Violence Is as American as Apple Pie.

Class Film: Thelma and Louise (1991). Outside Film: A Perfect World (1993).

Week 12

Class lecture and discussion. Summing Up: On the Road Again.