Overview

This course examines how American History has been represented on film during the 20th C. to the present as well as how film can be used to understand and study American History.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D: Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:- Generally accurate but with omissions and errors.- Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning.- Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions.- Draws on a relatively narrow range of material. -good -C: Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:- Good structure and logically developed arguments.- At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.- Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and sound reasoning.- Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.B: Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:- Very good structure and logically developed arguments.- Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.- Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning.- Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style. -excellent -A: Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways:- Has originality of exposition with the student's own thinking being readily apparent.- Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study.- Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

• Able to analyse historical film clips, paying attention to context

• Able to assimilate visual information and use that information to construct an oral and written argument

• Consider how American film can be used to study history and how history has been represented in American film by deploying a technical and critical vocabulary relevant to the discussion of audio-visual imagery

• Read and analyse American films paying attention to historical context

• Understand the debates surrounding the nature of historical representation on film