U.S. Political Films and Satire

Catalog description

A longtime course taught in election years, this version focuses on Hollywood satires of the presidency. Satire means critique as much as humor, often more funny-strange than funny ha-ha. We will watch films attentively (no devices allowed during screenings) and communally, hence the class meets Tuesday evenings. We will study each film for two weeks; one session discussing readings/learning the history of the time it was made, then watching/discussing the whole film the following week. Attendance will be required and essential. Students will learn how (and why) to take notes during screenings, sometimes working together in class to shape their notes and discussions into individual papers. Screenings include 1930s classics "Gabriel Over the White House" and the Marx Brothers' "Duck Soup," Cold War thrillers "The Manchurian Candidate" and "Seven Days in May," and the dark comedies "Dr. Strangelove" and "Being There." One final film will be chosen by the students. Readings include short books and PDF articles. Grading emphasizes attendance and attentive participation, notetaking, and short essays. No prior knowledge of history or film is needed, and there are no prerequisites.