U.S. History in Film
2013-2014
Carroll County High School
Instructor: Mr. Jason Shattuck
Email: Jason.Shattuck@carroll.kyschools.us
Room 214
Contacting Me
I hope parents are just as concerned about their student’s education as I am. If you have questions about
my class or how your child is performing in class please feel free to contact me. Email is my preferred
and best way to communicate with me. At the end of this syllabus is a place for you to list your email
address in the event I need to contact you.
Course Description: What is history? It is a body of facts that have been accepted by historians as
valid and significant. History is seeing the past through the eyes of today. The main task of the historian is
not to record facts, but to interpret and evaluate them. History is the selection, arrangement, and
interpretation of facts for the purpose of telling “how it really was.”
Like written history, contemporary Hollywood feature films are an interpretation of their society. They too
may be considered historical evidence, for they share some properties with written history. Like traditional
historical materials such as diaries and newspapers, contemporary films reflect the society that produced
them. Twentieth- century films are a record of that time period. Both the filmmaker and historian share a
common methodology. They study appropriate sources, then select and arrange facts to tell their story.
But neither a single movie, nor a single article or book can be considered the absolute authority on a
topic, for both present biased interpretations. Therefore, film evidence, as well as primary documents and
journal articles must be evaluated in conjunction with other information on the subject, if a more balanced
and truthful interpretation of history is sought.
Many argue that film evidence is invalid because filmmakers are not historians. Their primary goal is to
entertain and make money, rather than presenting the truth about the past. These elements are most
obvious in historical dramas. Fictional films are complex industrial and social products and how they are
made, distributed, exhibited, and received by audiences and critics will be investigated to fully evaluate
their roles as historical evidence. Nonetheless, it is the historian’s task to separate fantasy from fact. A
major goal of this course is determining what is valid in contemporary films and historical dramas and
what do these films say about the people who create them, the politics behind their creation, and how
they reflect the values, ideas, and larger historical issues of the times in which they were created.
In addition, we will touch on the history of Hollywood and the motion picture industry itself and examine,
from time to time, the changes in film technology, techniques, and/or in the “politics” of the business. A
wide range of primary source materials will be used for this purpose.
Therefore, this course examines Hollywood feature films and historical dramas as historical evidence.
Students view movies on various topics and participate in Inner/outer Socratic seminar discussions, and
write essays comparing that film evidence to information in more traditional sources, such as articles, film
reviews and critical commentaries. The course is based around six broad questions:
1. Is film a legitimate historical source?
2. To what extent is film evidence legitimate?
3. What determines the legitimacy of film evidence?
4. What determines the illegitimacy of film evidence?
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5. Is film evidence ever better than traditional historical sources?
6. Can Hollywood films be used to teach history?
Arts and Humanities Requirement
Carroll County High School requires that each student earn one credit hour in a class designated as
meeting the Arts and Humanities requirement. US History in Film will follow the Academic Expectations
for Arts and Humanities by covering the following requirements of the state of Kentucky:
A. Structure in the Arts
1.12 Students speak using appropriate forms, conventions, and styles to communicate ideas and
information to different audiences for different purposes.
1.13 Students make sense of ideas and communicate ideas with the visual arts
1.14 Students make sense of ideas and communicate ideas with music
1.15 Students make sense of and communicate ideas with movement
2.23 Students analyze their own and others’ artistic products and performances using accepted standards
B. Humanity in the Arts
2.24 Students have knowledge of major works of art, music, and literature and appreciate creativity and
the contributions of the arts and humanities
2.25 In the products they make and the performances they present, students show that they understand
how time, place, and society influence the arts and humanities such as languages, literature, and history
2.26 Through the arts and humanities, students recognize that although people are different, they share
common experiences and attitudes
C. Purposes for Creating the Arts
2.22 Students create works of art and make presentations to convey a point of view
D. Processes in the Arts
E. Interrelationships Among the Arts
Format: This course may include, but is not limited to the following: Observing movies, class discussion,
lecture, note taking, essay writing, small group activities, research, independent reading, tests, and
projects. There will be a significant amount of essay writing for this class! Students are expected to
complete all assignments on time.
Quarterly Notebook Check (100 Points):
At the end of each quarter I will collect 10 items from your notebook to be graded. I will choose these
items randomly. Rule of thumb: Keep everything you receive and complete in and out of class in a
binder! I will hand out the list of 10 items to be collected on the due date. You will be given time in class
to gather the ten items from your binder. You will receive 10 points for each completed item. (10 items x
10 points each = 100 points). If items are handed in but incomplete you will receive 5 points for that item.
You will have the opportunity to receive extra credit by completing Extensions. An Extension is an
application of what we are studying. Your job is to relate our coursework to activities, events, or
something within our society. They can be as simple as cutting out a newspaper story and writing one
paragraph on how it applies to the unit we are studying. Other extension suggestions are:
 Tell me about a book or a movie which has the same topic or terms (paragraph summary)
 Take a picture of something in our community (paragraph summary)
 Interview or survey your family (paragraph summary usually done as we get to more modern
history such as recent international conflicts)
 Article or illustration from the Internet that adds to what we are studying (paragraph explanation)
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The idea of extensions is that they need to extend or add to the knowledge we gained in class, or they
need to apply what was learned in “current day events.” Your extensions must be turned in at the
beginning of the class period of the notebook check. You cannot work on them while you are
gathering items for the notebook check.
Grading: Grading is based upon the total points system. Each assignment will have a “total points
possible”. The grade earned is divided by the total points possible and a percentage grade is
automatically recorded in our computer grading system.
You will receive a participation grade during each video---putting your head down during any portion of a
video will result in a grade of zero.
Items that could possibly receive a grade include, but are not limited to the following: Essays,
tests, homework, quizzes, projects, final exam.
Grades will be posted periodically throughout the semester in Infinite Campus; progress reports will also
be distributed.
A= 93-100%
B= 84-92%
C= 74-83%
D= 73-66%
F = 65% and Below
Make-Up Work: Refer to the student handbook. Work missed due to absence is to be made up in a
timely fashion, generally within 3 school days. An absence the day before a test does not excuse a
student from taking the test.
Late Work: All assignments are due on the assigned due date. If work is turned in past the due date, the
maximum credit is 50% of the original points. Any assignment not completed will be given a grade of
zero.
Class Expectations: All students will be treated as the young adults that they are. As a result,
disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. The students shall adhere to all rules as outlined in the Carroll
County High School Student Handbook, as well as to the additional rules listed below:
 Be on time.
 Be prepared each day (bring paper, pen or pencil).
 Be respectful to me and your classmates.
 ALL assignments are due during your class period.
 Keep the classroom clean.
 We will use student laptops, however they will be used when your teacher tells
you it is appropriate
 Do NOT sleep or work on other assignments during a movie or points will be
taken off.
 Bottled water and other appropriate drinks are allowed in the classroom.
However, if you spill something you MUST clean it up. Food is not permitted in
my classroom.
Tardy Policy: Students are expected to be on time for class; arriving after to class after the tardy bell
may result in disciplinary action. Habitual tardiness may be written up for administrative punishment.
Electronic Devices: No cell phones, iPods, iTouch, iPads, iPhone, Droids, Nook, Kindle, PS2…or
anything like these devices can be used during class without permission of your teacher.
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U.S. History in Film
Potential Film Permission List
The true history of America contains stories of innovation, triumph, leadership, and courage; it is
also marred with stories of war, slavery, deceit, and overall treachery. Thus, some of the films that will be
shown this year may contain violent scenes in order to portray an accurate picture of an historical event.
Please look over the potential films that could be shown during this course, and sign the permission-toview form on the class syllabus. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at:
Jason.shattuck@carroll.kyschools.us
Colonial America
 Three Sovereigns for Sarah (1986) 157 min.
 The Last of the Mohicans (1992) 117 min.
American Revolution
 1776
War of 1812
 The Buccaneer (1958) 121 min.
Expansion of the New Nation
 The Alamo (2004) 137 min.
 How the West was Won (1962) 162 min.
 Jeremiah Johnson (1972) 108 min.
 Far and Away (1992) 140 min.
 Gangs of New York (2002) 167 min.
Southern Society and Civil War
 Gone with the Wind (1939) 220 min.
 The Red Badge of Courage (1951) 70 min.
 Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) 100 min.
 Glory (1989) 117 min.
 The Conspirator (2010) 122 min.
Native Americans and Western Expansion
 Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) 132 min.
 Dances with Wolves (1990) 180 min.
 Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (1969) 110 min.
 I Will Fight No More Forever (1975) 100 min.
 Gunfight at O.K. Corral (1957) 122 min.
 My Darling Clementine (1946) 96 min.
 Wyatt Earp (1994) 189 min.
 Fort Apache (1948) 128 min.
 Tombstone (1993) 130 min.
Immigration/Turn of the Century
 Wizard of Oz (1939) 102 min.
 Hester Street (1975) 90 min.
 Titanic (1997) 194 min.
 Eight Men Out (120) min.
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WWI
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1919 (1985) 91 min.
Flyboys (2006) 119 min.
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) 140 min.
The Dawn Patrol (1938) 103 min.
The Fighting 69th (1940) 90 min.
Paths of Glory (1957) 86 min.
The Lost Battalion (2001) 92 min.
The Roaring Twenties
 Inherit the Wind (1960) 128 min.
 Spirit of St. Louis (1957) 137 min.
 The Sting (1973) 129 min.
 Matewan (1981) 132 min.
Women’s Rights
 Iron Jawed Angels (2004) 125 min.
The Great Depression
 Modern Times
 Cinderella Man (2005) 144 min.
 The Grapes of Wrath (1940) 129 min.
 Warm Springs (2005) 121 min.
 Places in the Heart (1984) 111 min.
 Of Mice and Men (1992) 115 min.
 Seabiscuit (2003) 141 min.
WWII
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Tuskegee Airmen (1995) 106 min.
The Longest Day (1962) 178 min.
The Great Escape (1963) 172 min.
A League of their Own (1992) 128 min.
Where Eagles Dare (1969) 158 min.
Fat Man and Little (1989) Boy 126 min.
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) 143 min.
Patton (1970) 170 min.
Saving Private Ryan (1998) 169 min.
Ken Burns “The War” Episode: Pride of Our Nation (2007) 124 min.
Communism and American Society
 Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) 93 min.
 Dr. Strangelove (1964) 93 min.
 October Sky (1999) 108 min.
 Truman (1995) 135 min.
 Thirteen Days (2000) 145 min.
 The Fog of War (2003) 97 min.
 Fail Safe (2000) 86 min.
Civil Rights
 Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) 130 min.
 Driving Miss. Daisy (1989) 99 min.
 The Rosa Parks Story (2002) 97 min.
 Ms. Jane Pittman (1974) 150 min.
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To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) 129 min.
The Long Walk Home (1991) 98 min.
Malcolm X (1992) 201 min.
Boycott (2001) 118 min.
Life in the 1950s & 60s/New Frontier
 Apollo 13 (1995) 140 min
 American Graffiti (1973) 110 min.
 Back to the Future (1085) 116 min.
 Remember the Titians (2000) 114 min.
 Hoosiers (1986) 114 min.
 Thirteen Days (2000) 145 min.
Vietnam
 Forrest Gump (1994) 142 min.
 The Fog of War (2003) 95 min.
 Path to War (2002) 165 min.
1970 to Present
 Philadelphia (1993) 125 min.
 Runaway Jury (2003) 127 min.
 Steel Magnolias (1989) 117 min.
 Rudy (1993) 116 min.
 We Are Marshall (2006) 124 min.
 All the President’s Men (1967) 138 min.
 Miracle (2004) 136 min.
 Behind Enemy Lines (2005) 128 min.
 Glory Road (2006) 118 min.
 Flight 93 (2006) 90 min.
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U.S. History in Film Permission and Parent Contact Slip
Please return only this sheet to the teacher
As the parent/guardian of ____________________________________________________, I have read
and understand the syllabus, and the requirements for this class. I have looked over the “Potential Film
Permission List”, and give permission to my child to view any of the listed movies.
Parent Signature__________________________________________________ Date: ___________
Student Signature _________________________________________________ Date: ___________
Parental Contact Information
Please fill out the following information so that I can contact you throughout the year if necessary.
Parent’s Names (please print): _____________________________________________________
Contact Phone Numbers: _____________________________________________________
Email addresses: ____________________________________________________________
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