African American History in Film (HIST399 – CRN 40925)

Instructor: Polly Good

e-mail: pgood@uoregon.edu office: 340F McKenzie

phone: 346- 2160 office hours: By appointment

Introduction

This course will examine African American history through film (popular and documentary). Students will look critically at the interpretations of African American history in the different films. We will watch films, not to simply be entertained by them, but to examine how they contributed to our understanding of the past. The course is not meant to be an exhaustive study of African American history, but rather to closely examine and analyze particularly moments in that history that have been interpreted in film. I will present short lectures throughout the course to provide a background for the films we watch. Chronologically, we will be concentrating on the 19 th and 20 th century beginning with slavery and reconstruction the moving to the civil right movement to the early 1970s.

Course Requirements

During the first weekend of the course, we will watch and discuss films that interpret slavery and reconstruction. The films in the second weekend will interpret 20 th century African American history. Between the weekends, students will independently review a film that interprets a moment in the mid-20 th century civil rights movement. Students must sign-up for a film by the end of the first Saturday class (7/28). To expose students to a variety of films, there will be a small-group, student presentations based on these reviewed films. There will be an in-class, final essay where students will analyze and synthesize the films viewed and discussion during the course. Students will be permitted to use their notes during the writing of this essay.

Grade Distribution

Class Participation 40%

Critical Movie Review 30%

In-Class Presentation 5%

Final Essay 25%

As this is a weekend course with limited class meetings, it is important that students not miss any class sessions and arrive to class and return from breaks on time. Since we will be viewing and discussing films during class time, the scheduling of class time is quite rigid. By taking this course students are agreeing to perform the workload of a two credit course in an abbreviated and accelerated time frame.

Critical Movie Review Assignment

Background Readings (available electronically on Blackboard)

“The Long Civil Rights Movement and the Political Uses of the Past,” Jacquelyn Dowd Hall, The Journal of American History vol. 91 no. 4 (March, 2005), 1233-1263.

“Martin Luther King, Jr: Charismatic Leader in a Mass Struggle,” Clayborne Carson, The Journal of American History vol. 74 no. 2 (September, 1987), 448-454.

“Two Cheers for Brown v. Board of Education,” Clayborne Carson, The Journal of American History vol. 91 no. 1 (June, 2004), 26-31.

“'The Whole United States is Southern!': Brown v. Board of Education and the Mystification of Race,” Charles M. Payne, The Journal of American History vol. 91 no. 1 (June, 2004), 83-91.

“The Gods Bring Threads to Webs Begun,” William M. Chafe, The Journal of American History , vol. 86, no. 4. (March, 2000), 1531-1551.

“Passing the Torch: Women in the Civil Rights Movement,” LaVerne Gyant, Journal of Black Studies, vol. 26, no 5 (May, 1996), 629-647.

Films (available on reserve at Knight Library)

Students must select one of the following films for the book review. Students must have their selection approved by the instructor by the end of the first Saturday class (7/28) as no more than four students can review each film.

Malcolm X (1992) film based on the life of Malcolm X.

Color of Courage (1999) film based on the civil rights case, Sipes v McGhee , which tested the constitutionality of white housing covenants.

Mississippi Burning (1988) fictionalized story set during the aftermath of the murders of civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner.

Mr. and Mrs. Loving (1996) film based on the civil rights case, Loving v Virginia , which challenged miscegenation laws.

Something the Lord Made (2004) film based on the story of Alfred Blalock, a white pioneer of cardiology and his black colleague, Vivien Thomas.

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999) film based on the life of Dorothy Dandridge, the first black actress to be nominated for an academy award.

The Long Walk Home (1990) fictionalized story set during the Montgomery Bus Boycotts.

Remember the Titans (2000) film that explores the impact of high school integration of a Virginia school in the early 1970s.

Review Guidelines

The goal of the critical movie review is to assess how well the film captures and presents the experiences of African Americans and racial attitudes of a specific time and place. Rather than detailing the historical accuracy of the film, the review should evaluate how well the film presents specific themes and topics of African American history. To write your review, you should first read the assigned articles that are designed to give you the general background you need to evaluate the film. As you watch the film, take note of how the film portrays interracial relationships, racial attitudes, the black family and community, the white family and community, gender roles and identities, instances of prejudice and discrimination (both legal and traditional), and motives for behavior. You should also evaluate the overall narrative of the film: who are the heroes/villains, who has agency, and whose story is the primary focus. When writing your paper, you should evaluate the historical interpretation presented in the film. What can people learn from this film? What did the film get “right”? What did the film get “wrong”?

Your review should be 6-8 double-spaced, typed pages (with 12-point font and one inch margins). The review should begin with a clear thesis statement and develop its points systematically, supporting them with evidence drawn from both the articles and the film. You should avoid relying on excess quotations from the articles. The articles are provided to help you synthesize and develop an analytical framework for your review. In addition, you do not need to consult other sources. The review should express your own ideas and evaluation of film. Please provide a works cited page and use parenthetical citations. Remember to proof read your paper and check for spelling errors.

Presentations

You will choose one of eight films to view and review. No more than four students will review each film. Reviews are due at the beginning of class on the second Saturday of the course (8/11). During that class, students reviewing the same film will have time to compare their reviews and develop a 10 – 15 minute presentation for the class. These presentations are informal and allow the class to learn about a larger number of films. Presentations should summarize the plot of the movie and provide students with examples of what the film did particularly well and examples of where the film missed the mark.