HSP 135—Great Issues in the Humanities:
Moving Pictures-German Cultural History through Film
M: 6:10-9:30 p.m. in Bobbitt Auditorium
W: 2:10-4:00 p.m. in Vulgamore 102
This course fulfills the History and Culture mode.
Dr. Catherine Grimm
Office: Vulgamore 107
Office hours: MWF 1:00-2:00 p.m. and by appointment
Tel.: 629- 0269
Course webpage:
Instructor’s Homepage: http://people.albion.edu/cgrimm/ Email: cgrimm@albion.edu
Welcome to HSP 135!
Description of the Class German films have often been closely connected to the cultural and social background from which they materialized. For this reason many German movies can be viewed as stimulating commentaries on society. German film directors, in particular, have often been more interested in making artistic and historical statements about Germany (and the world) than in either making money or becoming famous. In this class we will view a wide variety of mostly German films and we will view them as cultural artifacts that can enlighten us about important trends and topics in German history and culture. Such an interdisciplinary perspective will necessitate viewing these movies as cultural products (works of art?) as well as cultural critiques or commentaries. The course is designed for students with no background in either film or (German) history but who are either interested or curious in one or the other. Students will analyze important issues in German history and culture, by examining, discussing and writing about significant German movies of the past 80+ years. The texts that will be at the center of this class, i.e. a number of older and newer German movies will all be significantly removed from students by virtue of both their cultural and historical distance. A number of movies to be shown will be from the 1920’s and 30’s and at least one of the newer movies addresses events from the previous century. By viewing and discussing movies that deal with issues and trends in German history, students will be encouraged to make connections and comparisons to their own perspective. The class will also address the specific cultural and historical contexts behind each of the movies, and students will learn how historical events impact and influence the production of cultural artifacts.
Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of the class, students will have a better understanding of how films in general and German films in particular construct meaning. They will be familiar with an overview of German films, beginning with the Expressionist movement of the twenties through to the reunification of the two Germanys after the fall of Communist East Germany in 1989. Students will gain an understanding of some of the most important events of German cultural and social history. They will become proficient viewers and reviewers of movies, and will work on their analytical skills in conjunction with the movies watched.
Required Book:
- Fulbrook, Mary. A Concise History of Germany 2nd Ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991.
(ISBN 978-0-521-54071-1)
You will receive other readings as a photocopy from me.
What will be done in class In this class we will watch and discuss a wide variety of German, along with at least one American movie that all deal with themes and issues pertaining to German history. Our Monday evening class will be devoted to viewing movies, which, when time permits will be followed by a first informal discussion about the movie you just saw. You will receive a worksheet with interpretive questions after Monday’s class which will be due on Wednesday. You will receive a fair amount of reading about the actual history behind the movies, as well background information on the movies themselves. I foresee the class being discussion based, perhaps with a few mini-lectures on my part about specific items. After we watch each movie I will put it on reserve in the library, so that you may review it on your own if necessary. (You might want to do this in groups, and it might not always be necessary).
Course Requirements:
Class participation Class participation will be a very important part of this class. It incorporates attendance, engagement in the classroom, and preparedness. Engagement and preparedness go hand in hand. If you have done the reading and prepared the worksheets for each film you will be able to participate and contribute to every class discussion.
Statement on class attendance: In this class after the 3rd unexcused absence this portion of the grade will be reduced by 10 % per absence. It is also closely linked to homework because in order to be able to participate fully in each class, you will have to have completed all the homework activities assigned for that particular day.
Regular attendance at every class is expected. Every absence from class is inevitably a loss —usually one which can never be made up. A student has the responsibility to inform his or her faculty member, whenever possible in advance, of an absence due to serious or prolonged illness, and verification of absences due to emergency reasons, may be obtained from the Office of Residential Life. If a student misses more than three classes his or her grade for the class will be negatively affected.
If you miss a film screening it is your responsibility to go to the library, retrieve the movie from reserve and watch it before the next class.
Writing Assignments/homework
For this class you will regularly submit short written responses to the movies viewed, either in the form of answers to pre-set questions or the looser, but sometimes therefore more rewarding, literary reader-response journal. You will also write three short papers (about five type-written double-spaced pages) assigned based on more general questions from our viewings.
Grades
Your grade for this class will be calculated based on your performance in the following areas:
- In-class oral participation 30%
- Reader response journals: 30%
- Three five page interpretive papers: 40%
Expectations of student behavior: Excessive reoccurring tardiness will affect your participation grade. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Please turn off your cell phones when you are in class. Lack of preparation will also affect your grade negatively. Make sure you watch our movies attentively, and take notes, so that you retain as much as possible after the first showing.
Summary of how to be a successful HSP 135 student:
· complete all the assigned worksheets or reader-response journals thoughtfully and thoroughly
· complete all reading assignments thoroughly and come to class prepared to discuss issues related to them.
· come to class punctually and be attentive to what is going on
Disability Statement:
If you have a disability and may require accommodations or modifications in class instruction or course-related activities, please contact the Learning Support Center (LSC) staff who can arrange for reasonable accommodations for students who provide documentation of their disability/condition. If you are presently registered with the LSC and have requested accommodations through the LSC for this semester, please plan to meet with me as early as possible to discuss the best way to implement these accommodations in this class. The LSC is located on the third floor of the Seeley Mudd library or call 517-629-0825.
Statement on academic integrity
As an academic community, Albion College is firmly committed to honor and integrity in the pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, as a member of this academic community, each student acknowledges responsibility for his or her actions and commits to the highest standards of integrity. In doing so, each student makes a covenant with the college not to engage in any form of academic dishonesty, fraud, cheating, or theft.”