ESSAY #1: HISTORY v.

HOLLYWOOD
Due: Requirements: Articles: October 4, 2012 3 4 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12, 1 inch margins Robert A. Rosenstone, The Historical Film as Real History Daniel J. Walkowitz, Visual History: The Craft of the Historian-Filmmaker (both on course reserves) An American Tail (1986) Far and Away (1992) Dances with Wolves (1990) The Untouchables (1987) All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Ragtime (1981) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) Flyboys (2006) There Will Be Blood (2007)
* Note: You are more than welcome to select a film not on this list. If you would like to do so, your choice must be approved by me before September 29, 2012.

Suggested Films*:

In this essay you will consider how the past is depicted in film. Discuss both the historical aspects of the movie, and evaluate the film itself. Consider the historical accuracies and inaccuracies. What is represented? What is absent? Also discuss how the film is made. How was it shot and edited? What impact does it have? Your essay should provide historical background by discussing the basicsthe time period, events being portrayedbut the best essays will push further, examining how the film reflects the society that produced it. That is, what the film reveals about the people who created it, and the values, ideas, and historical issues of the time in which it was created. Finally, reflect on the relationship between film and history. Are movies a legitimate historical source? What determines the legitimacy, or illegitimacy of historical films? Should Hollywood films be used to teach history? Do not simply retell the movie plot.

Grading Rubric: A Excellent This essay is detailed, comprehensive, and integrates historical themes from the textbook or weekly readingsthe best of the best will cite outside readings that the student has researched and located independently. Writing is clear, organized, and without grammar or formatting errors. The essay analyzes specific examples from the film, but also comments on the film as a reflection of the society and time in which it was produced. B Good This essay is complete and accurate, and provides general insight. Writing is clear, without grammar or formatting errors. Examples are given, and the essay includes broad analysis. The separation between this essay and an A is the absence of college-level analysis and insight. C Average This essay is correct, but mostly descriptive. Writing is unclear, unorganized, and lacks specific examples or analysis.

D Unsatisfactory

ESSAY #2: DOCUMENTARY REVIEW

Due: Requirements: October 30, 2012 3 4 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12, 1 margins

Article:

David Thelen, The Movie Maker as Historian: Conversations with Ken Burns (on course reserves) Slavery by Another Name
(Sam Pollard, 2012: http://video.pbs.org/video/2176766758/)

Suggested Docs*:

Unforgiveable Blackness: Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (Ken Burns, 2004: Netflix) Eyes on the Prize: Americas Civil Rights Years (Henry Hampton, 2006: Library West) **The Rape of Europa (Richard Berge, 2006: Netflix)
* Note: You are welcome to select a film that is not on this listparticularly if you know one that better suits your personal interests. If you would like to review a different documentary, your choice must be approved by me before October 23, 2012.

**The Rape of Europa is not exclusively about American history, but its so interesting that Ive included it on this list. If you decide to review this documentary, speak with me so I can give you a short article to read on provenance (as it relates to this issue of artwork stolen from European Jews by the Nazis, and museums refusing to return the artwork today).

Documentaries differ from historical films because they rely more heavily on primary sources. In this assignment you will read The Movie Maker as Historian article, watch a documentary film, and write a 3 4 page review. In doing so, consider the following issues: What is the purpose of this documentary? What is the main message? Important themes? Are the primary sources used effectively? Is it historically accurate? Consider how the film was created. Who conducted the research? Who wrote the narrative? Who directed the film? Do these factors influence the film? What influence, if any, do camera angles, shots, editing have on the film? Assess the effectiveness of using historical re-enactors versus interviewed historians. Is there a better way to create documentaries? Evaluate the larger validity and effectiveness of the documentary. Should others see or avoid it? Does this documentary align with the traditional narrative of history? Or does it tell a different story?

I am interested in what you think of the documentary, not what you think I want to hear. Be as critical or approving as you see fit. Use specific examples, and be careful not to simply retell the plot.

Grading Rubric: A Excellent This essay is detailed, comprehensive, and integrates historical themes from the textbook or weekly readingsthe best of the best will cite outside readings that the student has researched and located independently. Writing is clear, organized, and without grammar or formatting errors. The essay analyzes specific examples from the documentary, but also comments on the larger picture: the legitimacy of documentary film, how documentaries should be used or improved. B Good This essay is complete and accurate, and provides general insight. Writing is clear, without grammar or formatting errors. Examples are given, and the essay includes broad analysis. The separation between this essay and an A is the absence of a college-level examination of the documentarys themes, creation, and opinions on the larger role of documentary film in society and the classroom. C Average This essay is correct, but mostly retells the documentarys story. Writing is unclear, unorganized, and lacks specific examples or analysis.

D Unsatisfactory

ESSAY #3: INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT AND ESSAY

Due: Requirements: December 4, 2012 Essay (3 4 pages), list of questions created (handwritten or typed), sample audio; or an edited video or podcast see me for more on this option How to record a telephone call: https://open.abc.net.au/assets/pdf/abc_open_tip_sheet_smartphone_audio.pdf How to record audio with ipod/ipad: http://discussions.mnhs.org/mnlocalhistory/blog/2012/03/12/using-your-iphoneipad-to-record-oral-history/

Instructions:

For this assignment, you will interview a person of historical interest. This does not mean that the person has to have participated in a famous historical event. Rather, that the nature of your interview is historical, and addresses topics in the readings and lectures.

Before interview: During interview: Conduct the interview in a quiet room. If possible, try not to have other people around who may interrupt Place the recorder in an unobtrusive place, but make sure it is close enough to the interviewee to pick up their voice Be genuinely interested in what the interviewee says Avoid being too formal; be your natural self so that the interviewee will be comfortable Be aware of open-ended and closed-ended questions. Try to ask the closed-ended questions up front. Examples of closed-ended questions: Where were you born? What were your parents names? If you take notes during the interview, do so sparingly. Note taking will probably distract the interviewee and make the process seem too formal. Do not worry about long periods of silence. Pauses in conversation are natural. Remember that you are the questioner and not the interviewee. Do not go into great detail with your own questions or discussion. Read background information on the time period your subject will discuss Write down what you already know about the interviewee Write down questions and topics you intend to discuss. These should be both biographical and historical.

The essay:

Summarize and explain the interview. Who was the interviewee? Why did you choose to interview them? What historical events did they live through? How did those events influence their lives? Provide numerous direct quotes from the interviewee. Also, reflect on the interview yourself. What did you learn? Did any answers surprise you? How does conducting your own interview compare to reading about historical events in books? Do you prefer one over the other?