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Official Course Syllabi 2020-2021 
    
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Official Course Syllabi 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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HUMN 1473 - Selected Studies in Film: Gangsters

Credit Hours: 3.00

Prerequisites: None

A course to permit the student further development of specialized interest in film. This will be done through background readings, screening, and analytical writing concerning major motion pictures. Such topics as film history, the documentary, film production, or the study of a major film artist will be offered.

Contact Hours: 3
Billable Contact Hours: 3
OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES
Outcome 1: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to discuss “the gang” as a subjective definition.

Objectives:

  1. Discuss the historical record of American gangster activity.
  2. Discuss the myth of the American gangster created by Hollywood.
  3. Differentiate between the subjective content of the narrative film and the objective nature of the documentary.
  4. Compare/contrast history vs. Hollywood.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to interpret the genre of gangster films as a reflection of America at large.

Objectives:

  1. Identify major films and filmmakers of the genre.
  2. Discuss the portrayal of gangsters and gangster activity by Hollywood.
  3. Define positive American cultural values.
  4. Compare/contrast culturally‐accepted values with values depicted by gangsters in films.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to apply the concept of the epic to gangster films.

Objectives:

  1. Define epic.
  2. Analyze gangster films in terms of an epic.
COMMON DEGREE OUTCOMES
(Bulleted outcomes apply to the course)

  1. The graduate can integrate the knowledge and technological skills necessary to be a successful learner.
  • 2. The graduate can demonstrate how to think competently.
  1. The graduate can demonstrate how to employ mathematical knowledge.
  • 4. The graduate can demonstrate how to communicate competently.
  1. The graduate is sensitive to issues relating to a diverse, global society.
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE
Films may vary from one semester to the next, at the discretion of the instructor.
Class discussions precede/follow each film.
Class Content

  1. Distribution of course material
    1. General introduction
    2. Scope of the course
    3. Use of the journal
    4. Film: Point Blank (1967)
  2. Film: Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
  3. Film: Thief (1981)
  4. Film: The Usual Suspects (1995)
  5. Film: The Long Good Friday (1979)
  6. Film: Bound (1996)
  7. Film: Last Seduction (1994)
  8. Film: Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
  9. Film: Grifters (1990)
  10. Film: Donnie Brasco (1997)
  11. Begin Godfather project
  12. Film: Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
  13. Film: Reservoir Dogs (1992)
  14. Quiz/discussion: Godfather
    1. Film: Things Change (1988)
  15. Film: Goodfellas (1990)
  16. Film: Fargo (1996)
  17. Class and self‐evaluations
Primary Faculty
Scott, Stuart
Secondary Faculty

Associate Dean
Ternullo, Annette
Dean
Pritchett, Marie

Official Course Syllabus - Macomb Community College, 14500 E 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088


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