Download Cinema as a Witness to Modern History

Grade 12 History
An Introduction
 Take a look at the course title
 Cinema as a Witness to Modern History
 Let’s define the three key terms
 Three main goals for this semester
 1. To develop critical media literacy through an exploration of
cinema
 2. To enrich students knowledge and understanding of world
history since the beginning of the 20th century
 3. To apply the concepts of historical thinking to the analysis of a
variety of film genres in documentary and dramatic cinema
 We won’t just be eating popcorn and watching movies!
 We will be studying:
 1. Cinema as an art form
 2. Cinema as a product of history
 3. Cinema as an interpreter of history
 Students will:
 View and reflect critically on films of various genres
 Analyze and evaluate the techniques of cinema as an art form
 Consider how documentary and feature films reflect the values and
perspectives of the society of which they originated
 Conduct research into historical sources in order to analyze
interpretation, bias, and error of historical subjects in cinema
 Write film critiques that follow principles of critical media literacy and
historical thinking
 Enrich their knowledge of significant developments in modern world
history
 “By the time they finish high school, students will have spent an average of 11,000
hours in school, compared to more than 15,000 hours watching television and 10,500
hours listening to popular music. They will have seen several hundred films and been
exposed to countless advertisements. Televised images constitute a new kind of daily
environment for them and a source of knowledge as well as ideas, values and
standards. Mass media constitute a dynamic and persuasive curriculum, whose
content includes knowledge about people, places, politics, events, history, psychology,
etc.; role models with regard to behaviours and practices such as fashion, food,
relationships, etc.; and attitudes and values about such things as the use and abuse of
power, politics, relationships, sexuality, violence, family, death, religion....”
 20 years ago those stats were true. Who knows what they would look like now?
 Is the 21st century a “post-literate” culture?
 Quick turn and talk at your table, discuss if you agree or disagree.
 This is a VERY important piece of your learning – and in turn
your mark for this course.
 25% of your term mark will for your (almost) daily journal
entries.
 I do expect thoughtful, critical, creative thought – that uses
knowledge and skills you learn throughout the course to
respond to various tasks.
 I do not expect perfect spelling, grammar, and sentence
structure. But do use your best ELA skills when responding in
your journal (ex. Use paragraphs where necessary to help the
reader, rather than one page of scambled, unorganized thought)
 Bring your journal to EVERY CLASS!
 Day One Journal Task:
The Top 10 List – create a top 10 list of your favourite films
 Discuss one of your favorite films of all time (choose one!)
 Feel free to retell a bit about the film, but no more than one paragraph
 For the remainder of your journal entry, consider the following:
 What stands out to you, or leaves a lasting impression about this film?
 Have you watched this film multiple times? Why?
 Which characters resonate with you?
 Is there a particular scene that is etched in your memory?
 Are there any outstanding technical aspects of the film you remember? (ex
special effects, music, camera shots, etc)
 10. The Godfather (yes part 2 is good as well)
 9. Pulp Fiction
 8. Gladiator
 7. Goodfellas
 6. Interstellar (I am going to write about this one for
my journal entry)
5. The Dark Knight
4. The Departed
3. American Hustle
2. Inception (dreams within dreams!)
 1. The Rock
 This movie has
sentimental value, despite
its really cheesy dialogue
and one liner jokes,
mediocre acting and over
the top story line.
 The Usual Suspects
 Spotlight
 Heat
 Wall-E
 Argo
 L.A. Confidential
 Pete’s Dragon
 Schindler’s List
 Saving Private Ryan
 Inglorious Bastards
 No Country For Old Men