History+on+Film

=American History on Film: Fact or Fiction?=

Students will analyze an approved film as history and compare its portrayal of the past to the academic representation of history presented in class, in texts, and in other sources. In their comparisons, students must utilize critical and scholarly resources and present their conclusions in a five page paper.
 * Assignment:**

The movies are not only a popular form of entertainment, but also a vehicle for social and cultural commentary. But just as I, as a teacher, use creative license to compile the content I present to you, so too do filmmakers take liberties as they write, direct, and produce films. We must then open ourselves to critically examining the validity of history as it is represented in popular entertainment today.
 * Rationale:**

You are first required to present to me a __**typed** proposal__ which outlines the movie you would like to analyze, the role of history in the movie (is this film specifically about an historical event or is a greater historical era the background/context of the film), and your parents written permission to view the film. Students will each view a different film.
 * Step 1- Film Proposal:**

In order to adequately analyze your film, you must first examine the event as it occurred in history. The first task you face is to create an __annotated works consulted__ for six (6) sources about your movie topic. These must be adequate, scholarly resources specifically about your historical event or subject, not about the film you are analyzing! This annotated works consulted must include the following elements: 1. Proper MLA formatted citation. (See STHS Library Web Page or Citation Tools) 2. Content - Description paraphrasing the information that the source provides about your subject, event, person etc. This must be your analysis of the information you read about your historical event. Condense and phrase in your own words, do NOT copy! I'm talking pages of text and information into roughly three or four paragraphs. 3. Bias - Description of the point of view, perspective, or bias from which the information is presented. This can be accomplished in one paragraph.
 * Step 2- Annotated Works Consulted of Subject Background:**

//See Example Here://

As you begin to view your film, which you may need to watch more than once, be aware of the following: 1. The History - What events are depicted? Is it accurate? Is it chronological or have certain events been clumped together? Are the events and characters portrayed realistically? 2. The Setting - Are details, designs, and locations correct representations of the period? Have these things been enhanced or elaborated upon for viewing experience? 3. The Agenda - What values or messages is the filmmaker attempting to portray? Is this filmmaker presenting personal or societal commentary?
 * Step 3- Movie Content:**

1. 5-6 pages, typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 font, 1-inch margins. Title page which includes title of film, student's name, due date, class.
 * Step 4- The Product:**

2. __Introduction__- Introduce the film you chose. What is the background to the film, the plot summary? In what year and by whom was the film produced? Whatever information you feel is necessary to present to lay the groundwork of your evaluation should be explained in your opening. This background should come from the annotated works page you compiled. Anything copied or paraphrased from imdb or wikipedia will earn you an automatic 0!

3. __Historical Accuracy__ - Choose two (2) scenes or events from your film. For each scene, use at least two different sources and in-text documentation to weigh the accuracy or inaccuracy of the scene selected. You may use sources from you annotated bib to complete this part of the assignment. To clarify, two different source citations per scene! Be very specific in your evaluation of the events. //Ex: The film depicted Gen MacArthur as masterminding the surprise attack on the Japanese at Midway, however as Joe Smith points out in his book, Nimitz at Sea, "Nimitz presented his intelligence information and a plan to catch the Japanese Imperial Navy by surprise to General MacArthur and the joint chiefs on June 4, 1942 (Smith 624). This claim is also supported by...//

4. __Setting__- Choose one (1) scene in which to do an in-depth analysis of setting, details, or location as presented in the film. Use at least two different sources and in-text documetation to determine whether the period was accurately or inaccurately portrayed. Again, be specific in your evaluation. //Ex: The movie Pearl Harbor shows Japanese pilots flying X-5's in their attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 1941, while it is not until 1943 that the X-5 model was used in battle (King 41).//

5. __Agenda__- Is there director bias or commentary in the portrayal of the events in your movie? If so, what statement is the director making and why? Is it a personal agenda or a reflection upon current social values? You may look at a particular scene or the tone of the entire film in your evaluation of agenda. Use at least one outside source, perhaps biographical information or interviews, to aide you in your evaluation. //Ex: Director George Lucas's movie Star Wars was a greater political commentary on the Cold War between the United States, represented by Luke Skywalker, and the Soviet Union, represented by Darth Vader. In a 1986 interview, Lucas told a NY Times reporter that "Jabba the Hut was just one of many characters used to represent the satellite nations of the Soviet Union."//

6. __Critical Review__- Movies are rated on a four-star scale. What is your rating of this movie and why? In your critique, take into account your evaluation of the above aspects of the film. If you were a history teacher, would you show this film, or parts of the film, to your class? Why or why not?

7. __Works Pages__- Any source you quote or reference within you analysis must be documented in the appropriate MLA format. You should have both cited and consulted pages. Be sure to include sources from the annotated bib you completed earlier. Finally, don't forget to cite your film itself!
 * Note to readers, while I made up all information for the examples above, you may not!

ProQuest Historical Newspapers GaleNet Biography Resource Center The History Channel Online International Movie Database (imdb.com) Some films will have homepages and resources Certain events will have a plethora of sites and resources
 * Resources To Get You Started:**

=Rubric= An in-depth rubric has been handed out, but this is what is required for top marks:

6 quality, relevant and scholarly resources about historical event. Correct MLA format. Intelligent discussion of content and bias. Detailed and informative background information blended seamlessly with plot summary. Detailed and informed discussion of accuracy. Specific facts and details provided from at least two (cited) sources for each scene. Detailed and informed discussion of setting elements. Specific facts and details provided from at least two (cited) sources. Well supported discussion of director bias or commentary. Cites evidence from one source to support. Persuasively rates film and justifies its use in history class. In-text citations follow proper format. Differentiates works cited/consulted. All documented in proper MLA format. No spelling or grammatical errors. Paper has been proofread by author and at least one additional person.
 * Research** (15 pts)
 * Annotated Works Consulted (10 pts)**
 * Introduction (5 pts)**
 * Accuracy (15 pts)**
 * Setting (10 pts)**
 * Agenda (10 pts)**
 * Critique (10 pts)**
 * Citations (15 pts)**
 * Mechanics (10 pts)**