US History Through Film =

Instructor: Mr. McHugh

Contact Information: &nb= sp; 508-764-5450

Website: http://www.shshistorydept.net

Extra Help Hours: Monday – Friday=

Course Description

What is history? It is a body of fa= cts 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 i= s not to record facts, but to interpret and evaluate them. History is the selecti= on, arrangement, and interpretation of facts for the purpose of telling “= how it really was.”

Li= ke written history, contemporary Hollywood feature films are an interpretation= of their society. They too may be considered historical evidence, for they sha= re 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. Bo= th the filmmaker and historian share a common methodology. They study appropri= ate 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, f= ilm evidence, as well as primary documents and journal articles must be evaluat= ed in conjunction with other information on the subject, if a more balanced and truthful interpretation of history is sought.

Ma= ny argue that film evidence is invalid because filmmakers are not historians. Their primary goal is to entertain and make money, rat= her than presenting the truth about the past. These elements are most obvious in historical dramas. Fictional films are complex industrial and social produc= ts 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 whi= ch 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 technol= ogy, techniques, and/or in the “politics” of the business. A wide ra= nge of primary source materials will be used for this purpose.

Th= erefore, 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 f= ilm 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?

5. Is film evidence ever better than traditional historical sources?

6.= Can Hollywood films be used to teach history?

Methods of Learning

Individual, group, and paired activities, guided reading, study drills, extension activities, class discussion, technol= ogy, projects, reflective writing, lecture, note taking, primary source document analysis, presentations, essays, research writing<= /span>

Grading Policy

Homework / Notebook: 20% ( late homework will not be accepted)
Class work: 10% (class work is to be completed by t= he end of class unless absent)
Quizzes: 10% (Quizzes must be made up after school within one week from date administered)
Essays / Character / Movie Analysis: 20% (late essa= ys will be subject to a 10 point deduction for each day late) Students wi= ll be required to watch one film from a list on their own time and comple= te a character and historical analysis of the film.
Projects: 20% (late projects will be subject to a 10 point deduction for each day late)
Exams: 20% (exams must be made up after school with= in one week from date administered)

Midterm and Final exams will be = as per School Policy.

Classroom Procedures<= span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast= -font-family: "Times New Roman"'> To help us learn and work together

Raise your hand if you have a question, need help or need to leave your seat
While waiting for others to finish work: read silen= tly, study, begin extension activity
Daily class work and homework assignment location (= for those absent)
Paper distribution and flow
Rubric policy: staple to and return with assigned w= ork (minus 10 points w/out rubric)
When tardy enter quietly, hand in pass and take sea= t
Respond immediately to my request for attention, du= ring an announcement, visitor, and phone ring (silence)
Student closest to door responds to knock
Work cooperatively in groups

Daily Routine

Enter classroom in a quiet and orderly manner and be seated
Textbook, Notebook, Pen/Pencil only on desk
Bell Rings: Silence please, Read agenda, begin warm= -up
Lesson Core: listen carefully to instruction and fo= llow the first time
Closing Activity: Follow instructions for closing activity, time and activity may vary
Begin extension activity or read silently if finish= ed early
MAKE IT A GOOD DAY!!!! J

Rules of Engagement <= span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast= -font-family: "Times New Roman"'>

Be in assigned seat when bell rings
Have all materials ready (text, notebook, pen/penci= l, homework)
Do not use vulgar or offensive language<= /span>
Be respectful of others (eye contact, listen attentively)
Listen to instructions and raise hand to speak=
Adhere to rules in student handbook
Work hard and study hard
MAKE IT A GOOD DAY!!!

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· = We are here for you and will let not= hing interfere with your success in US Gov.

· = LET’S MAKE IT A GOOD YEAR!!!!

· = Student Name:___________________________________

· = Student Signature __________________________________ = ; Date _____________

· = Parent Signature ___________________________________ &nbs= p; Date _____________