Interdisciplinary Arts 0108 - American Cinema, 1967-'78

Focusing on the"American Film Renaissance" or "Hollywood New Wave," this course will examine the complex interplay between American cinema and culture in light of profound sociopolitical transformations in the nation from the 1960s through the 1970s. We'll explore how the aesthetic conventions and social content of 'Classic Hollywood' were challenged by new cultural realities-the cold war, civil rights movement, women's movement, gay liberation, ethnic revival, counterculture, sexual revolution, Vietnam and Watergate. Students will read a general film history, critical essays on individual films and directors, and collateral studies of cultural, political and social history. Students interested in film studies, U.S. history, politics, art, drama, fiction, journalism or other areas will be free to explore interdisciplinary approaches to both the films and the time period under study. Writing requirements will include short essays responding to selected films and assigned readings and a longer research paper to be developed in consultation with the instructor. Several historical documentaries will supplement screenings of dramatic feature films: The Graduate (1967), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Easy Rider (1969), Midnight Cowboy (1969), Cabaret (1972), The Last Picture Show (1970), Mean Streets (1973), Chinatown (1974), Network (1977), Coming Home (1978), Days of Heaven (1978), and others.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research