Mar 28, 2024  
College Catalog 2022-2023 
    
College Catalog 2022-2023 [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.

Billable Contact Hours: 3

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Transfer Possibilities
Michigan Transfer Network (MiTransfer) - Utilize this website to easily search how your credits transfer to colleges and universities.
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 (CDO)
• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

CDO marked YES apply to this course:
Critical Thinking: YES
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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