SYLLABUS: SYG-4003, SOCIOLOGY THRU FILM, SPRING 2003

Reference Number: 7038; Section: 80

PINES EDUCATION CENTER, 16957 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines, Broward County, Florida

MONDAYS, 6:30-9:10 PM, JANUARY 13 THROUGH APRIL 14, 2003, except no classes on January 20 and March 17 (see below)

PROFESSOR: Dr. Abraham D. Lavender, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, FIU. Dr. Lavender lives near the South Campus, teaches on the Biscayne Bay Campus, and is at the Pines Education Center on Mondays from 5 pm until 9:10 PM. Best contact is abelavender@aol.com. More contact information will be given during the first class.

PURPOSE OF COURSE:

The purpose of this course is to learn how the movie industry in the United States reflects values in the U.S., how the movie industry is influenced by values in the U.S., and how the movie industry influences values in the U.S. We will look at six demographic groups based roughly on ethnicity, religion, race, language, gender, and sexual orientation, and see how movies have portrayed the groups, and how and why those portrayals are changing over time. We also will look at the extent to which these groups are or are not represented in the movie industry in the U.S. We see that movies don’t just happen, but that they are influenced by larger forces and also influence the larger society. For each group, there will be a movie, class discussion, and lecture by the professor.

READINGS:

(1) PAST IMPERFECT: HISTORY ACCORDING TO THE MOVIES, edited by Mark C. Carnes. This book discusses about sixty movies, analyzing the accuracy or inaccuracy of the movies’ portrayals of events. As the flyleaf says, “There is no denying the tremendous power movies have in shaping our perceptions of the past.”

(2) HOLLYWOOD’S AMERICA: SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THEMES IN MOTION PICTURES, by Stephen Powers, David J. Rothman, and Stanley Rothman (NOTE: This book is subject to availability, and hence subject to change; check with the FIU bookstore before purchase, and purchase replacement if necessary. If in doubt, wait until the first class).

GRADING:

Several short tests will be given during the semester (as indicated below). The final grade (except for attendance) will be a combination of the tests. Each test will consist of 10 to 15 questions, and will take about 15 minutes of class time, followed by the regularly scheduled lecture or movie for the class.

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance will be taken frequently, and the professor reserves the right to adjust a grade downwards for any student who misses more than three classes. Education also consists of the class atmosphere, hearing other student comments, observing class interactions, etc. Students who do not regularly attend classes will be at a grade disadvantage in this class.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):

January 13: Introduction to course, history of movies in the U.S., lecture on Native Americans in films.

January 20: (no class, Martin Luther King Holiday)

January 27: “Little Big Man” followed by discussion.

February 3: “The Perez Family”

February 10: Discussion of “The Perez Family” and lecture on Hispanics in Hollywood. TEST #1 (including first book assigned to read).

February 17: “Rosewood”

February 24: Discussion of “Rosewood” and lecture on Blacks in Hollywood.

March 3: “Fiddler on the Roof” (subject to change)

March 10: Discussion on previous movie, and lecture on Jews in Hollywood. TEST #2 (including second book assigned)

March 17: (spring break)

March 24: “The Celluloid Closet” (subject to change)

March 31: Discussion on “The Celluloid Closet (or replacement), and lecture on sexual orientation in Hollywood.

April 7: “The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful.”

April 14: Discussion of “The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful” and lecture on gender roles in Hollywood. TEST #3 (including all class lectures not yet tested).

April 21: Exam week.