Program Overview

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Film as History (HIST*2020)

Course Details

The course code for Film as History is HIST*2020, with section 01, and it is scheduled for the Fall 2023 term. The course is offered in a hybrid format.

Course Synopsis and Goals

Film has become an increasingly important medium for the dissemination of historical knowledge. Though filmed history represents an exciting development that can offer many advantages over a printed text, writers and directors also face significant pressures when attempting to tell a true story both artfully and accurately. This course is intended to give the beginning student an introduction to the challenges of bringing real people and events to life on film using British history as the case study. We will evaluate each film for its accuracy and also will practise decoding the director's ideological outlook or argument or the comment it may be making on present day. Students can expect to acquire some knowledge of the genre's technical aspects and vocabulary so that they can become more critical consumers of media messages.

The course goals are:

1. To gain a broader awareness of people and issues in British history
2. To gain an introduction to the study of history on film (and a more sophisticated awareness of the both the benefits and limitations of the visual representation of history versus stories told with the written word)
3. To become more conscious of the way public perception of past events is distorted, controlled, enhanced and augmented by mass media
4. To practise oral and written communication skills

Method of Evaluation and Weights

The method of evaluation includes:

• 4 film reviews (x 20% each) = 80%
• Final Exam = 20%

Required Book

There is no required text for the course; instead, various academic articles available from the library will be used.

Class Format

Viewing guides and related academic articles will be posted weekly. Films will be available to view independently. Class will meet once per week for a fun and challenging discussion in small group discussion sections. Students can sign up for a discussion section that operates either in person or online via Zoom.

Departments and Schools

The course is associated with the following departments and schools:

• School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing
• School of Fine Art and Music
• School of Languages and Literatures
• Department of History
• Department of Philosophy
• Interdisciplinary Programs

Centres, Institutes and Labs

The university is home to several centres, institutes, and labs, including:

• Centre for Scottish Studies
• Grounded and Engaged Theory Lab (GET)
• Interdisciplinary Design Lab
• The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation
• The Humanities Interdisciplinary Collaboration Lab (THINC)
• The School of Fine Art & Music Print Study Collection