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Anthropology and the Motion Picture: course description

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William O'Barr, Duke University

This course focuses on the representation of other cultures in the genre of Hollywood film. Three areas of the world (Africa, Italy, and the South Pacific) will be the primary focus of study. For each of these areas, we will view four popular motion pictures and analyze the representations of otherness in them. Analysis will proceed in line with current theoretical issues in anthropology and related disciplines.

Members of the class are expected to do the following:
- attend both class sessions each week, one of which will normally
be a film screening
- conduct independent research on the Internet each week and submit a
written report each Monday
- once during the semester, prepare and present an oral report on the questions
submitted for that week
- read the materials assigned for each week PRIOR to each W class session
- write 3 short papers of 5-10 pages in length (due dates below)
- take unannounced short quizzes (3-4 quizzes total, lasting 15 minutes each
in length)

This class is scheduled for two sessions of 2 ½ hours on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Often, we will not meet for the entire period. However, on some days we will view full-length films that, along with an introduction, will take most of it. Normally, the screenings will be on Mondays. Wednesday classes will usually be devoted to lecture and discussion.

Film
The following films will be screened and discussed in this course:
ON COLONIALISM
A Passage to India (1985)
Said on Orentalism (a documentary)
AFRICA
Tarzan of the Apes (1932)
Tarzan (1999) [Disney]
Out of Africa (1985)
Something of Value (1957)
ITALY
Room with a View (1986)
Tea with Mussolini (1999)
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
SOUTH PACIFIC
Bird of Paradise (1932)
South Pacific (2001)
The Bounty (1984)
Rapa Nui (1994)

Web Assignment
As a part of this class, you will spend some time each week researching the week's film on the Internet. Each Monday, a brief report is due about the types of sources, information, and issues you have found. In your report, assess the quality of these sites, and then list the 5 most important (in your opinion) topics and/or questions that emerged from your research. Make this report short and to the point, covering not more than a single double-spaced page, including the listing of questions/topics/issues. Attach the first page (only) of the top 10 Internet sites you found.

There are reading assignments for each week. These materials are available through Blackboard. You will find the assigned readings in the schedule of classes listed below and full citations in the section that follows. Readings should be completed PRIOR to each Wednesday's class session.

Links

Anthropology and the Motion Picture: syllabus

Anthropology and the Motion Picture: readings

Last modified 2007-12-18 12:40
VIUWebmaster

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Extra-curricular activities

Each semester various activities are organized.

-Creative projects
-Movie series
-Night visit to St. Mark's Basilica
-Day trip on Venetian Lagoon
-Trip to Port of Venice
-Site visits related to courses in Venice and its hinterland

AIESEC International Students' Association
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