PL SC 397A: Politics and Film
Instructor: Dr. Nicholas Pyeatt
Class Time: Tuesday/Thursday 4:05-5:20
Class Location: 144 Hawthorn
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10AM-12PM; Wednesday 1:30-2:30PM
and by appointment
Office Location: 129H Smith
nlp11@psu.edu
Overview
Movies are a medium designed to work on a variety of levels. On the most
basic level, they are designed to entertain their audience. On a more
sophisticated level, they are an art form that can convey subtle or overt
political messages. These political messages may impact the viewer
significantly or tangentially, depending on context, delivery and complexity.
The central feature of this course is the analysis, discussion and critique of
these messages. While the majority of the class time will be spent watching
films, students should do so with an eye towards observing the political
message embedded within the film.
Texts
This course has two required texts:
Christenson, Terry and Peter Haas. Projecting Politics: Political Messages in
American Films. London: Sharpe, 2005.
Giglio, Ernest. Here’s Looking at You: Hollywood, Film and Politics. New
York: Peter Lang, 2010.
Please note that both books have multiple editions and it is imperative that
you select the correct edition. The required books are available in both the
student bookstore as well as numerous online retailers. Any additional
readings will be posted directly on Angel. All reading assignments are
mandatory and should be completed prior to class.
Evaluation
Due to University policies regarding privacy, grades will not be emailed or
publicly posted.
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Participation and Attendance
20%
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Online Discussion Boards
Film Analysis Worksheets (best 10 of 12)
Outside Film Analysis Paper 1
Outside Film Analysis Paper 2
10%
40%
10%
20%
Participation and Attendance: Each student is expected to attend all classes
and be an active participant in all discussions. As a majority of class time will
be spent watching movies, students that miss class will not only miss
instruction and discussion but will also miss viewing the film for that day.
Any student that misses class will be responsible for finding a copy of the
movie to view on their own. Many of these films have been put on reserve in
the library but not all of them are available in the library.
Attendance will be taken daily and students that miss more than two
absences without clearing it with the instructor in advance will lose five
points off of their participation and attendance grade. Student who attend
every class but do not participate will make more no more than a C for this
portion of the final grade.
Online Discussion Boards
Each student must post at least one substantive comment on each film within
a week of the completion of the film. Full instructions to follow.
Film Analysis Worksheets
After each film is completed, students will complete a worksheet that
critically analyzes the film. The purpose of this assignment is to get students
into the habit of not only watching films but evaluating the critical themes as
well. In this class, we will view fifteen films and students should complete
the worksheets for twelve of the viewed films. For the final grade, the lowest
two grades will be dropped from the final computation.
Outside Film Analysis Papers
In addition to the films viewed in class, each student will view two films
outside of class and critically evaluate them. These papers should be between
three and five pages long and analyze the political elements of a film. The
themes of this film should be compared to films viewed in class. Students will
need to get instructor approval before selecting any film. Full instructions to
follow.
Late Papers
Late papers will be accepted for one week after the due date. Each day late
will result in a deduction of ten points. Under extreme cases, extensions
without penalties will be offered, but they must be approved by the instructor
in advance. Any concerns about completing assignments should be addressed
with instructor as early as possible. Discussion board postings will not be
accepted late without prior approval.
Submitting Assignments
Assignments will only be accepted as single sided printed copies. Late papers
should be delivered to my office. Electronic copies will only be accepted as
proof of completing the assignment on time. Electronic copies will not be
graded and should be followed up quickly with paper copies.
Instructor Expectations
The instructor expects all students to come to class having completed and
considered the readings. Students should attend all class sessions, pay
attention to the lectures and actively participate in any small group
discussions/activities. Students are expected to be respectful to the instructor
and their classmates and this includes, but is not limited to, arriving on time,
not disrupting the class and respecting other student’s viewpoints when
offered in discussion. Students are expected to complete the written
assignments by their respective deadlines. In order to achieve a satisfactory
grade, the instructor expects that student will need to devote 10-15 hours a
week of out of class course work.
Student Expectations
Students should expect the instructor to be prepared for each class period
with a clear and defined lesson plan. The instructor will grade all papers
equitably and as promptly as possible (generally 1-2 weeks). The instructor
will be available during pre-set office hours and also by appointment. All
students will be treated with respect and concern. Under those exceedingly
rare occasions where conflicts cannot be solved between the instructor and
the student, the matter will be referred to the departmental coordinator or
the division head.
Honor Code
Academic honesty and integrity is the most important single expectation for
this course. Cases of academic dishonesty—cheating, plagiarism, fraud, etc.—
will be dealt with directly and severely. Consequences for such behavior may
include receiving a failing grade on an exam, essay, or the course; in more
serious instances, academic dishonesty may result in permanent expulsion
from the University. For additional details, see The Student Guide to
University Policies and Rules.
Students with Disabilities
Penn State University welcomes students with disabilities into its
educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for modifications
or reasonable accommodations in this course, please contact the Health &
Wellness Center, Disability Services, located in the Sheetz Family Health
Center. For more information, call (814) 949-5540 or visit the Disability
Services web site at www.altoona.psu.edu/healthwellness. Your instructors
should be notified as early in the semester as possible regarding the need for
modifications or reasonable accommodations.
Disclaimer
A conscious decision was made in preparing this course to not edit or censor
the films chosen in any way. As film is an artistic medium, as an instructor,
any changes that I made would alter the filmmakers vision for the piece. As
this idea is troubling to me, it was decided that films would be left as is and
shown in their entirety. This means that the movies will include some
material that is intended for an adult audience (language, violence, etc.).
These topics will be addressed in a mature and academic fashion but any
student who believes that they will struggle with such material are
encouraged to speak with the instructor and consider dropping the class.
Readings and Assignments
The schedule of the course and the readings from the two primary texts are
listed below. Both texts are written in a straightforward manner and should
help students in their assignments for the course. Additional readings may be
added during the course and will be posted on Angel. Please note that this is
the expected schedule of the course but changes may be necessary at a later
date. (C & H- Christenson and Haas, G- Giglio)
Week 1: Elections in Film
Tuesday, January 10: Course Introduction and The Candidate (1972)
Thursday, January 12: The Candidate (1972) and Discussion
*C & H- Chapters 1 and 2
Week 2: Elections in Film
Tuesday, January 17: Citizen Kane (1941)
Analysis Worksheet, The Candidate Due
* G- Chapter 1 and 2
Thursday, January 19: Citizen Kane (1941) and Discussion
*C & H- Chapters 3 and 6
Week 3: Elections in Film
Tuesday, January, 24: Bulworth (1998)
Analysis Worksheet, Citizen Kane Due
*G- Chapter 6
Thursday, January 26: Bulworth (1998) and Discussion
*C & H- Chapter 11
Week 4: The Nixon Presidency in Film
Tuesday, January 31: All the President’s Men (1976)
Analysis Worksheet, Bulworth Due
Thursday, February 2: All the President’s Men (1976)
*C & H- Chapter 9
Week 5: The Nixon Presidency in Film
Tuesday, February 7: Frost/Nixon (2008)
Analysis Worksheet, All the President’s Men Due
Thursday, February 9: Frost/Nixon (2008), Discussion of All the President’s
Men and Frost/Nixon
Week 6: The Nixon Presidency in Film
Tuesday, February 14: Dick (1999)
Analysis Worksheet, Frost/Nixon Due
Thursday, February 16: Dick (1999), Discussion and All Quiet on the Western
Front
Week 7: War, Anti-Communism, Nuclear Weapons and Satire
Tuesday, February 21: All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Analysis Worksheet, Dick Due
*G- Chapter 8
Thursday, February 23: All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Discussion
*C & H- Chapters 4 and 5
Week 8: War, Anti-Communism, Nuclear Weapons and Satire
Tuesday, February 28: Doctor Strangelove (1964)
Analysis Worksheet, All Quiet on the Western Front Due
*G- Chapter 11
Thursday, March 1: Doctor Strangelove (1964) and Discussion
*C & H- Chapters 8
Outside Film Analysis Paper 1 Due
Week 9: War, Anti-Communism, Nuclear Weapons and Satire
Tuesday, March 13: Failsafe (1964)
Analysis Worksheet, Doctor Strangelove Due
Thursday, March 15: Failsafe (1964) and Discussion
Week 10: War, Anti-Communism, Nuclear Weapons and Satire
Tuesday, March 20: Wag the Dog (1997)
Analysis Worksheet, Failsafe Due
Thursday, March 22:Wag the Dog (1997), Discussion and Norma Rae
Week 11: Labor, Unions and the Economy
Tuesday, March 27: Norma Rae (1979)
Analysis Worksheet, Wag the Dog Due
*G- Chapter 12
Thursday, March 29: Norma Rae (1979), Discussion and On the Waterfront
*C & H- Chapter 14
Week 12: Labor, Unions and the Economy
Tuesday, April 3: On the Waterfront (1954)
Analysis Worksheet, Norma Rae Due
*C & H- Chapter 7
Thursday, April 5: On the Waterfront (1954)
Southwestern Political Science Association Annual Meeting
Week 13: Labor, Unions and the Economy
Tuesday, April 10: Discussion On the Waterfront and The Front (1976)
*G- Chapter 5
Thursday, April 12: The Front (1976) and Discussion
Analysis Worksheet, On the Waterfront Due
Week 14: Congress in Film
Tuesday, April 17: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Analysis Worksheet, The Front Due
Thursday, April 19: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and Discussion
Outside Film Analysis Paper 2 Due
Week 15: Congress in Film
Tuesday, April 24: The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)
Analysis Worksheet, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Due
Thursday, April 26: The Distinguished Gentleman (1992) and Discussion
*G- Chapter 13
No Final Exam but the Analysis Worksheet The Distinguished
Gentlemen Due by that time (Tuesday, May 1, 6-7:50PM).