United States History through Film

Mrs. Martin - Room 228

M – F Period 8

Semesters 1 &2

Course Description:

United States History through Film is a two semester elective course. The objective of this course is to enhance your knowledge of significant events in United States history. Youwill examine major events in United States history through varioustypes of films which will include Hollywood contemporary films, documentaries and American classics. You will view an estimated 21 films this year, each will deal with a specific time period and topic concerning the United States. Before viewing each film we will examine the significance of the time period and/or event and its impact on the United States. We will also look at various primary source accounts, newspaper and magazine articles, and U.S. History text books to assess how these events have been covered by other sources besides film. Each time period covered in this course will be broken into three phases:

  • Phase 1 - Pre-film in which we gather background information on the time period through lecture, discussion, articles and research.
  • Phase 2 - Viewing the film and
  • Phase 3 – a post film activity which will take the form of a project, debate, class discussion, essay or quiz.

Listed below are the films and time periods that will be covered.

FilmTime Period/Event

1. The CruciblePuritan New England/Salem Witch Trials

2. 1776American Revolution

3. Gangs of New YorkAntebellum/ Civil War/Immigration - North

4. Gone With the Wind Antebellum/Civil War/Reconstruction - South

5. Dances with WolvesWestward Expansion/ The American Frontier

6. The Godfather I and II“New” Immigrant Experience/

Rise of Organized Crime

7. The Rough RidersSpanish American War

8. The Lost BattalionWWI

9. Iron Jawed AngelsWomen’s Suffrage

10. Grapes of WrathGreat Depression

11. Warm SpringsLife of FDR

12. CasablancaAmerican Neutrality/ WWII/Vichy France

13. PattonWWII

14. HiroshimaWWII/Use of the Atomic Bomb

15. Thirteen DaysCuban Missile Crisis/ Kennedy Administration

16. Full Metal JacketVietnam War

17. Malcolm XCivil Rights

18. Remember the TitansCivil Rights/Integration

19. All the President’s MenWatergate Scandal/ Nixon Administration

20. Frost Nixon1970s Watergate Aftermath

21. Charlie Wilson’s WarLate 20th Century – U.S- Afghanistan Relations

Course Requirements:

1)Attendance is required in each class.

2)Participation is required.

3)View all films the days they are shown in class or rent them to view at home. (In some cases borrow the film from me to view at home).

4)Valid user name, password and authorization to access the internet is required for this class.

5)Notebook or binder with loose-leaf paper and folder for storing handouts.

6)All work should be turned in on the date indicated on the assignment. Late work will be penalized. After one week – late work will not be accepted.

7)If absent (with excuse), make up work should be done within 4 days.

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United States History through Film

Please read the course description and requirements carefully. If you agree to the requirements, structure and content of this course and wish to participate in this class, both student and parent sign on the lines below. This slip should be detached and returned no later than Friday September 6th.

Student’s signature: ______

Parent’s signature: ______