Multiculturalism Through the Arts: Film
Course # 4590
Fall 2014
Course
Rationale:To implement the goal of educating for diversity, the Scarsdale Interdependence Institute has beencharged with supporting programs for teachers and students that explore cultures other than one’s own, providing a global perspective on current events, and preparing students for the interdependent world in which they will live and work. With the purpose of widening the international focus of the school com - munity, the Interdependence Institute and the STI are jointly sponsoring a program of multiculturalism through the arts in film.
Course
Description:This contribution to the global film series continues to explore the idea of comedy through the lens of cinema. What do people find funny in different parts of the world? How is their sense of humor shaped by local history and culture? To what extent is comedy in all its forms—social satire, slapstick, black humor, romantic comedy, parody—culturally specific or universal in appeal? Participants will explore the theory and practice of cinematic comedy in feature films from regions rarely represented on American screens, exploring ways to apply the concepts and understandings of the course to all curriculum areas.
Tu, 10/7This semester’s series begins with film clips that introduce the histories and cultures of India, Africa, and China.
Tu, 10/143 Idiots(India, 2009), directed by Rajkumar Hirani
In India, where engineers are national celebrities, competition to enter engineering schools and the pressures on their students are notoriously fierce. So when one student challenges the partriarchal system of rote learning, his campaign for creativity is met head on by the school’s indomitable dean. (171 minutes. In Hindi, with English subtitles)
Tu, 11/4Taafe Fanga (“Skirt Power, “ Mali, 1997), directed by Adamo Drabo
Drawing on 18th Century Dogon mythology and Mali’s 1991 revolution, an African griot (oral story teller) tells a tale about village women who take on the traditional roles of men. Faced with a terrifying figure in a female mask, the men are frightened into doing all the cooking, babies strapped to their backs, while the women sit around and smoke.
(95 minutes. In Bambara and Kaado, with English subtitles)
Tu, 12/2Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons(China, 2013), directed by Stephen Chow
Loosely based on China’s beloved literary classic, known in the West as Monkey, Stephen Chow’s action comedy broke all box office records when it was released last year in China. Surpassing the inventive flare and outrageous humor of his earlier hits (Shaolin Soccer, Kung Fu Hustle), Chow delivers a version of the 16th century novel that combines fable, romance, martial arts, and Buddhist cautionary tale. Sometimes silly, sometimes sweet, but always entertaining, his story brings together an earnest monk, a trickster monkey, a warrior woman, and a host of indomitable demons. 110 minutes. In Mandarin, with English subtitles.
Course
Requirements:1.Attend all sessions.
2. Read assigned materials.
- Create classroom applications through a unit of study based on the films
and discussion that will extend the global studies curriculum.
Course
Coordinators:Carole Phillips, Librarian, Greenacres
Joan Weber, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administrative Services, Scarsdale
Course
Speaker:Bill Costanzo, Distinguished SUNY Teaching Professor of English and Film
Open to:All
Time:3:30-6:30pm, Thursdays, Oct 14, Nov 4, Dec 4, Jan 13
Location:SHS 170
Credit:One point salary credit or stipend