LFU:online

Institut für Amerikastudien Institut für Amerikastudien

Dr. Sonja Bahn Dr. Sonja Bahn, +43 512 507 4173

610009

Discourse/Identitiy: American Cultures: Troubled Waters for Troubled Identities: The 1970s in American Film

PS 2

5

wöch.

semestral

Englisch

In recent years, historians have come to consider historical films as having a cultural value at least equal to that of historical research and records in that they can help to develop a greater awareness of the past and its effect on the present and future. This proseminar will deal with selected events in U.S. history of the 1970s and their presentation in film. The 70s were a period of great change in the American image due to events such as the Watergate affair, the Vietnam War, the New Age, and Civil Rights (Native Americans, African Americans Chicano/as, Women, Gays). Much of what happened led to a deep anguish about where American values had gone and where America was heading. We will concentrate on and analyse films (e.g. _All the President's Men_, _Coming Home_, _Hair_, _Milk_) for their filmic elements as well as their thematic preoccupations. Socio-historical and cultural background will be provided in texts to be read and documentaries to be watched.

The lessons will be divided into lecture inputs and group discussions on problems and issues that arise. We will also make analyses and comparisons of film clips to practise looking closely at the techniques and using film vocabulary. There will be small written assignments and oral reports so that various skills can be exercised. Requirements are regular attendance, participation in class discussions with discussion leaders or short presentations, written assignments, and EITHER a 10-page research paper OR the making of a film with script, storyboard, and an individual report from each person involved. The final grade will be a combination of these requirements.

oral and written

Anmeldungsvoraussetzung/en im BA: positive Beurteilung des Pflichtmodul 19 Entspricht im Diplomstudium (343): PS2: American Culture; PS2: Wahlpflichtfach Entspricht im Lehramtsstudium (344): PS2: American Culture
Beginn: 7.10.2009