History vs. Hollywood

Instructor: Keith Hatcher

Length of course: 36 weeks (two semesters)

Room: 144

*****Please Note: This syllabus is a guide to the schedule and procedures for this class. It is subject to change, and all changes will be announced IN CLASS. Students are responsible for knowing any announcements made in class, whether they were present or not.

Course Statement: 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 maid 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 books and articles must be evaluated in conjunctions with other information on the subject if a fore 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. However, it is the historian’s task to separate fantasy form fact. A major goal of this course is determining what is valid in contemporary films and historical dramas.

Therefore, this course examines Hollywood feature films and historical dramas as historical evidence. Students view movie on various topics and write essays comparing that film evidence to information in more traditional sources, such as articles and book chapters.

Course Goals:

  1. To give students practical experience in critical analysis by evaluating full length feature films as historical evidence.
  2. To motivate students in the interrogation of traditional historical sources by exposing them to relevant written material on past events.
  3. To use film as a means of motivation students to study selected topics in United States history.
  4. To improve students’ research and writing skills through the assignment of critical essays on selected subjects that use film and traditional sources as evidence.
  5. To impart some knowledge of U.S. history.

Class Expectations: High academic expectations will be upheld for all students in the course. It is the expectation that all students will learn and perform at a Proficient level.

Class Rules: The following class rules are necessary to provide and maintain an orderly efficient educational atmosphere for this class.

  1. Please, no talking while instruction is being given.
  2. All students will be in class ready for instruction when the bell rings.
  3. Each student is responsible for attending class with a learning attitude, and conducts themselves in such a manner that will not jeopardize the teaching and learning process.

* The dress code will be enforced.

Grading: Students in this course will be assessed in the following formats: one chapter test per week, homework, group work, independent work, research projects, presentations, and journal. Positively no test retakes.

Scale: A = 90-100% B = 80-89%C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 59% or below

Students who fail to complete an assignment, or have a failing grade will not be permitted to watch movies until the assignment(s) have been completed and a passing grade is achieved.

Class Policies & Procedures

Everyone is expected to follow the classroom procedures listed below. Keep in mid that you receive a participation/behavior grade each quarter that is worth 100 points. That grade is based on your classroom participation and behavior, which includes following all classroom policies and procedures. In addition to my policies below, you should be familiar with all Ohio County High School policies (including the student handbook) regarding expectations, behavior, absences and tardiness, which I will follow and enforce.

  1. Treat everyone in the classroom with respect.
  2. Arrive to class on time and prepared. You are allowed to go to your locker once per quarter if you forget something for class
  3. Always sit in your assigned seat. If you have a problem with your assigned seat, please see me. Seat assignments are changed once a quarter or whenever deemed necessary.
  4. Do not bring food or drink (except water) into the classroom.
  5. Use appropriate language at all time. Certain words and conversations belong in the locker room but not in the classroom
  6. Do not touch or move any classroom materials or furniture unless given permission to do so.
  7. Raise your hand if you have a question or wish to make a statement.
  8. Do not leave the classroom unless given permission to do so. Please make every effort to use the restroom before or after class!
  9. If you bring a cell phone, iPod, or other electronic devices to class, make sure that it is not visible and that it is turned off. Cell phones that are exposed or ring during class will be taken away and/or a detention will be issued.
  10. Stay at your desk until the bell rings.
  11. Don’t leave trash by your desk.

The consequences for choosing to not follow a policy will be decided by the teacher. Normally, I will give you a warning the first time. After that, you may be asked to leave the classroom, be given a detention after school and/or I will place a phone call to your parents. Problematic behavior and repeat offenses will be dealt with by a parent conference, meeting with your guidance counselor and/or referral to your assistant principal. I also reserve the right to deduct points from your quarterly participation/behavior grade.

Academic Dishonesty:

As I’m sure you’re aware, cheating is prohibited. Cheating includes (but is not limited to) looking at study materials during an exam, allowing others to copy your exams, taking someone else’s exam or allowing someone else to take yours, obtaining exam materials in advance, and failing to report cheating by others. Plagiarism, even if unintentional, even if only one sentence, is also a form of cheating. Thus, it is very important to make sure that you do not copy from other sources, that you attribute your ideas as needed, and that you use quotation marks when indicated. If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, please see me before the assignment is due. Cheating will result in automatic failure of the exam in question, as well as a report made to the administration. A second incident will result in failure of the course.

Attendance/Make-Up Work: Attendance is of the utmost importance in order to perform well in this class. Missed work or tests must be made up within 3 days after the excused absents. Missed test will have to be taken before or after school.

Contact Info:

7th period planning.

Email address:

School-274-3366

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(Please read/sign and return this portion)

Dear Parent or Guardian,

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to my class. I hope the information concerning this course will be helpful in understanding its intent and purpose. If at anytime you have questions or comments concerning your child’s progress, please feel free to contact me. We are looking forward to a rewarding educational year at OCHS.

Keith Hatcher

History v. Hollywood

Ohio County High School

I have read and understood the requirements for this course.

______(Student Name)

______(Parent/Guardian)

Dear Parent/Guardians:

Throughout the school year, it may be beneficial for your child’s education and understanding of History v. Hollywood to show certain films or film clips. Ohio County School Board policy requires parental permission for any movies rated above G. Below is a list of films that may be viewed by your student in my class in order to enhance instruction. Many of these are rated PG or PG-13, some may be rated R. Rest assured any scene containing nudity or excessive vulgar language will not be edited. Certainly all of these films will not be viewed, as it is just a list of possible films that could be utilized in class.

300 / Forest Gump / The Trojan Horse
Mississippi Burning / The King Fish / Helen of Troy
The Civil Rights Movement / Spartacus / Jarhead (Gulf War)
The Last King of Scotland / Wag The Dog / Black Hawk Down (Mogadishu, Somalia, 1993
The Killing Fields (Cambodia Mass Extermination) / Woodstock / Manson
Platoon (Vietnam) / We Were Soldiers (Vietnam) / Malcolm X
Ghosts of Mississippi (Medgar Evers) / Troy / Kingdom of Heaven
The Gladiator / Dead Presidents / Schindler’s List
American Gangster / Pirates of the Caribbean
The Aviator / The Odyssey / Hannibal
Tombstone / All the Presidents Men / Braveheart
Pearl Harbor / Iron Jawed Angels / Defiance

P.S.- Any movies that I find during the year that are not on this list that I feel may benefit the class, notification will be sent home via the student, reviewed by you, and then returned to me for documentation. Extra credit opportunities will be offered throughout the year in terms of watching films for a deeper understanding of Historical Events. More information on that will be made available at a later date.

PLEASE SIGN & RETURN

______I give my permission for my child to view clips, or watch these movies in their entirety, to enhance daily class instruction

______I DO NOT give my permission for my child to view clips, or watch these movies in their entirety, to enhance daily class instruction and understand they will be sent to work on assignment of the teacher’s choice while other students are viewing the film.

Student Name: ______

Parent Signature ______