-- American History & Film -Disclosure Document
Email: jzirbel@bssd72.org
Webpage: http://mszirbel.weebly.com
Access CodesSchoology:
Turnitin.com:
I hold high expectations of myself, and in turn, I hold high expectations of my students. I believe that
learning results from collaboration between the teacher, the student, and the community. My
responsibility is to provide students with the tools necessary to critically engage the subject matter
through interactive lesson planning. My students are responsible for being an active and empowered
learner by working hard and seeking assistance when learning becomes a struggle. When each party
fulfills these responsibilities teaching becomes learning and students will find success. My door (and
email) are always open, please use them if you have any questions or concerns.
Expectations:
All behavior must contribute to the learning environment in this classroom.
This includes, but is not limited to being:
1. Respectful of your peers, teachers, school, and yourself
 Listen when it’s time to listen, Speak when it’s time to speak, Follow directions and be
kind
 Please do NOT have your cell phone in class. If I can see it or hear it, then I can take it!
2. Positive and persevering…despite challenges
 Be an active learner and advocate for yourself
3. On time and prepared
 Being on time but not prepared may result in a tardy
 See student handbook for disciplinary policy regarding detention, suspension, etc.
4. Proud of your work and always doing your best
 If you cheat or plagiarize you will receive a 0 for that assignment and subject to
disciplinary action. Please refer to school policy for more information.
5. Responsible for your actions
 Make good choices because you are responsible for the outcome – good or bad.
 See student handbook for disciplinary policy regarding behavior
Materials to Bring Everyday:
Please bring the following items with you to class everyday:
 Three ring binder or section in a binder with binder paper
 Pen and/or pencil
 Textbook: Hollywood’s America: Twentieth Century America through Film
 Homework/other assignments that are due are complete and turned in to schoology (if applicable)
 Although you do not need to bring it every day, it is recommended that you keep all materials for
the duration of the course.
Assignment Policy
Do ALL assigned work and know when it’s due!
 This means printed out and ready to turn in or submitted to schoology/turnitin before class starts.
 Late work will be accepted within the following parameters:
o Homework – May be turned in by the end of school the next day for 50% credit
o Projects/Essay – Minus one letter grade for each day that it is late with NO option for
revisions.
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
If you are absent, then you have the number of class periods missed to complete and turn in any
missed assignments. Please indicate “Absent” on your assignments.
 If you are absent on a test day, you must take it on your first day back in class.
 Projects/Essays that are long term assignments will be due on the due date even if you are absent.
***Extensions***
 Please see me BEFORE an assignment is due if you need additional time to complete it. If you
wait until the due date then the above late policies will apply.
***Request to Retest***
 See requirements on the form by the same name available from Ms. Zirbel
Grades:


Please make use of Infinite Campus to keep track of grades and assignments. I will do my very
best to keep Infinite Campus updated with grades and assignment due dates.
Your grade will be comprised of the following categories:
o In-class Assignments – generally worth 5-10 points each
o Homework – generally worth 15-40 points each
o Projects/Exams – generally worth 100-200 points each
o Film Responses – generally worth 100-150 points each
American History and Film Course Outline
*Subject to Change
Description: History and film share a
fundamental similarity in that they both tell
stories through an interpretation of a series of
events, but are films more than entertainment?
Can they offer insight into American culture
and society? Are they ever a legitimate source
of historical information? Films are sometimes
based in fact, sometimes based in fiction, and
sometimes are a little bit of both. Unlike
history, the value in films is that they don’t
have to be based in fact to tell a story about
society. In this course, we will look beyond the
entertainment value of film to evaluate and
interpret the historical value of film as it
related to specific events but also to the social
culture of different periods of time.
 The Silent Era (1895-1927)
o Precursors to film
 Entertainment prior to film in 1895
o Early Hollywood – technology
 The General (1926)
o Cinematography
 Camera angles, distance, movement, etc.
o Cinema as Social Criticism
 The Kid (1921)
o Evolution of Special Effects
 George Meleis: A Trip to the Moon (1902)
o Project: The Art of Film Storyboard
 The Golden Era (1927- early 1960’s)
o Studio System
 Rise, fall, big 5, little 3
 Student presentations on the studios, their actors, movies, etc.
o Defining Genre
o Depression Era
 Compare and contrast:
 Gone with the Wind (1939) v. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
o World War II and propaganda film
 Casablanca (1942)
o Netfilix v. Brown – moot Supreme Court
o Project: The Message of Film along with an exam for Unit 1 and 2
 Cold War Hollywood
o 1950’s America
 HUAC/Hollywood Ten, Espionage and Sedition Acts
o Sci Fi Genre and the Cold War
 Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
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o Stereotypes v. Bias v. Myth v. Propaganda/Hollywood and Native Americans
 The Searchers (1956) v. The Outlaw Josie Wales (1976)
 Reel Injuns (Documentary)
o Project: The Story of Film
 New Hollywood (1966-1982) and Today
o Comparing the 1950’s with the 1960’s
 A Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
o Mistrust in the Modern Era – Korean War/Rise of Conspiracy Theories
 The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
o Hollywood and Women – Superheroes and heroines
o How have “bad guys” changed over time?
 Salt (2010)
o Presentation: Film: A reflection of or an influence on American society and history?
o Project: Breaking the Superhero/heroine Mold
(Detach Here)
Please read this entire document and contact me if you have any questions. Complete the section
below, and return just this portion to Ms. Zirbel the next class period to received credit for this
assignment. Place the rest of this document at the start of your class binder. Please also read
through the student handbook for more information about school-wide policies.
I, ______________________________, have carefully read, understand, and agree to abide by
(Student Name)
all of the policies and expectations listed in this disclosure document.
Student Signature: __________________________________ Date: _________________
Dear Parent or Guardian:
In this course students use film to access American history and culture from the beginning of the movie
industry through modern day. In the course of this study, your student will watch two PG-13 films [Rebel
without a Cause (1955) and Salt (2010)]. Both films received this rating due to sequences of violence. If
you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me. By signing below you are acknowledging the class
expectations presented in the disclosure document AND giving permission for your child to view these
two films.
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________
LPHS Social Studies 2014-15: Film
Date: _________________
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