SOC 358: Film & Society
Fall 2020
Tuesday 5:30-8:20pm
Synchronous Online
Professor
Timothy McGettigan, PhD
Virtual Office Hours: Monday 4:30-5:30pm
and by appointment
Phone: 719-549-2416
E-mail: tmcgett@gmail.com
Course Description and Objectives
In this course we will investigate the impact of Hollywood films on American society from World War II to the present. This course will examine the various ways in which film departs from, but also draws upon and modifies social reality. Film creates expectations about the visual, it encourages viewers to read identity through what we see and this, in turn, affects perceptions of an enormous range of social constructs and dynamics: gender, race, class, politics, economics, history, the future, etc. By the end of the course students should have a strong sense of how to read films using a critical sociological perspective.
Required Reading - Prof Tim will provide free reading materials online
Participation
Zoom is weird, but we’re stuck with it. Prof Tim will do his best to create a comfortable two-way flow of thoughts and information.
Film Buff In-Class Presentations
No spoilers: Please do not show film trailers, or divulge spoiler plot details as part of your Film Buff presentations. Please allow first-time viewers to be captivated by the magic of the classic films that we will analyze.
In order to develop an active learning environment we will begin class with brief (2-3 min per student) Film Buff presentations. Student presentations should focus on films or ideas which pertain to that day’s film and era. Students should structure their presentations in a tangible fashion, e.g., PowerPoint, paper handout, brief commentary, video, audio, web materials, etc.
Film Buff presentations should focus on specific ideas, or questions, such as:
1. On the Waterfront is my favorite film because…
2. The 1970s were a particularly fascinating (or puzzling) decade for film because…
3. Stanley Kubrick is the greatest director in history because…
Film Buffs can either work in small groups, or fly solo. Prof Tim will circulate a sign-up sheet soon. Film Buffs can earn up to 10 points for their presentations. Each individual presenter will be evaluated on their own merits.
Exams
There will be two take-home midterm exams during the session (100 points each) and a final exam (150 points). Exams will be long-essay format and will draw heavily upon course content. All students are required to complete all three exams. Students who attend class faithfully will be eligible to re-write exams for increased credit. Faithful attendance is defined as not missing more than one class during any section of the course: beginning of class to the Midterm 1 due date, from Midterm 1-Midterm 2, or from Midterm 3 - final exam.
Attendance
In Prof Tim’s experience there is a very strong correlation between faithful attendance and educational success.
How to calculate your final grade
ADA Accommodations
If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the Disability Resource Coordinator as soon as possible to arrange accommodations via the Disability Resource Office in LARC 169.
Course Calendar
I am including specific dates for all of the important events during the semester. Prof Tim will inform you in class of any significant alterations to the course schedule.
8/25 Introduction: The Intersection of Fantasy and Reality
Reading, On the Wings of a Fantasy & Captain Quark 01
Film: The Wizard of Oz
9/1 Lecture: The 1940s
Reading, What’s the Big Deal? & Captain Quark 02
Film: Casablanca
9/8 Lecture: The 1950s
Reading, Shaking Up the Status Quo & Captain Quark 03
Film: On the Waterfront
9/15 Lecture: The 1950s
Reading, The Art of the Chase & Captain Quark 04
Film: North by Northwest
9/22 Lecture: The 1960s
Reading, Little Big Man
Film: The Graduate
9/22 First Take-Home Exam Due at the Beginning of Class
9/29 Lecture: The 1960s
Reading, JFK’s Lunar Problematic & Captain Quark 05
Film: Dr. Strangelove
10/6 Lecture: The 1970s
Reading, A Fight to the Death & Captain Quark 06
Film: Three Days of the Condor
10/13 Lecture: The 1970s
Reading, Never Another Like It & Captain Quark 07
Film: Apocalypse Now
10/20 Lecture: 1980s
Reading, Orwell’s Nightmare
Film: Absence of Malice
10/27 Second Take-Home Exam Due at the Beginning of Class
10/27 Lecture: The 1990s
Reading, A Film for the Ages & Captain Quark 08
Film: Wag the Dog
11/3 Lecture: The 2000s
Reading, Just Another Day in America & Captain Quark 09
Film: Crash
11/10 Lecture: The 2010s
Reading, Beam Use the Weapon & Captain Quark 0T
Film: Arrival
11/17 Lecture: The 2010s
Reading, Famous Obscurity
Film: Searching for Sugar Man
11/23-27 THANKSGIVING BREAK
12/1 Lecture: The 2010s
Reading, Damaged Goods & Captain Quark 0&
Film: Silver Linings Playbook
12/11 Submit Final Exam by 5pm on Friday, 12/11
Upon completion of the Sociology major, students should be able to:
1. Understand the major theoretical perspectives in sociology through comparing, contrasting, and thinking critically about the roles of these theories in the study of society.
2. Apply a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods in the gathering and analysis of sociological data and recognize common methodologies used in sociological literature.
3. Use sociological theories and methods to analyze substantive social issues and problems such as deviance, race, gender, sexuality, and class.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking by evaluating arguments and evidence related to social issues and by connecting sociological insights to current events and personal experiences of the social world.
Upon completion of the Criminology major, students should be able to demonstrate :
1. A comprehension of and the ability to critically assess and compare the major criminological theoretical perspectives.
2. An ability to understand, interpret, and apply various research methodologies in the field of criminology.
3. An ability to apply criminological theories and methods to substantive issues and in order to understand social problems and inform crime-related social policy.
4. An ability to engage in critical thinking about various aspects of social life and organization, including crime and criminal justice institutions.
Upon completion of the Anthropology minor, students will be able to demonstrate:
1. An understanding and appreciation of human biological, archaeological, linguistic, and cultural diversity
2. An understanding of the three main anthropological approaches to the study of humanity: cross-cultural comparison, holism, and evolutionary theory, and the uses of each.
3. An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess anthropological/archaeological theories, principles, concepts, and research methods
4. An ability to understand, describe, and critically assess the role of culture and social structures in shaping individual lives.
5. An ability to critically write and verbally present ideas, critiques, and research within the discipline.
Upon completion of the Women’s Studies minor, students will:
1. Demonstrate working knowledge of women’s participation in, contribution to, and transformation of areas of social life including culture, society, politics, economics, and religion.
2. Demonstrate working knowledge of institutionalized discrimination and violence based on gender.
3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of gender from national and global perspectives.
4. Apply the basic concepts, theories and methods in gender studies in national and global contexts.
General education offerings in our programs
CSU-Pueblo General Education and GT pathways designation:
ANTHR 100, Cultural Anthropology
SOC 101, Introduction to Sociology
SOC 201, Social Problems
WS 100, Introduction to Women’s Studies
CSU-Pueblo General Education:
ANTHR 101, Biological Anthropology
ANTHR 101L, Biological Anthropology Lab
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