POLS 2445 World Politics Through Film
This course is an introduction to world political issues through the medium of film. The course first studies film as a political tool, i.e. as propaganda, featuring works such as Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will", and Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin". Next, the course focuses on film as an expression of key world political issues such as fascism, communism, democracy, demagoguery, deterrence, ethnic conflict, genocide, and others. Assigned films will be accompanied by examples of the most important texts on each issue. (3 lect.)
Major Topics
- Film as a political tool/propaganda.
- Film as a vehicle for world political issues, to include the issues and themes listed below.
- Fascism/Dictatorship/Totalitarian States: Leni Riefenstahl’s ‘Triumph of the Will’ as Nazi propaganda; Chaplin’s ‘The Great Dictator’, Orwell’s ‘1984’.
- Communism/Bolshevism/Post-Communism: Sergei Eisenstein’s ‘Battleship Potemkin’ and ‘October’; ‘Animal Farm’,‘Goodbye, Lenin’.
- Democracy: Frank Capra’s ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’, Orson Welles’ ‘Citizen Kane’; ‘Bob Roberts’.
- Foreign Policy and Decision-Making: ‘Thirteen Days’.
- Détente and Deterrence in International Relations: ‘Dr. Strangelove’.
- Genocide: Spielberg’s ‘Schindler’s List’, Milcho Manchevski’s ‘Before the Rain’.
- Ethnic Conflict: Sergei Bodrov’s ‘Prisoner of the Mountain’, Danis Tanovic’s ‘No Man’s Land’.
- Gender/Feminism: Jafar Panahi’s ‘The Circle’.
Outcomes
In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:
1. Become familiar with the medium of film as a political tool, and as a vehicle for political expression. Identify techniques and features of politically-based film making. Utilize comparative politics and international relations methodologies to analyze the use of film, and its meaning in political contexts.
2. Analyze and discuss the various political themes addressed in the course. Become familiar with accompanying comparative and international relations theoretical literature. Analyze and discuss specific films in terms of both their content, and their production.
3. Gather information and evaluate it for its usefulness, analyze data, formulate and express conclusions. Complete individual research on an instructor-approved topic, while employing appropriate techniques for research and writing, proper citation of sources, etc. Present research findings to the class.
Other Information
Any information placed here must be adhered to by all instructors:
1. Students will employ current technology as part of their research. 2. Students will discuss their research in class via both informal discussion and formal presentations.