HI 408 War in Film and Literature Cathal J. Nolan Associate Professor of History Executive Director, International History Institute Combat, killing, suffering, death. This course explores these vivid human experiences through great, and lesser, works of film and literature. Topics range widely, from medieval Japan to Africa, the Americas and Europe, the two 20th century world wars and various “small wars” of the 19th through 21st centuries. W e explore "the angle of vision" problem: who should we trust more, eye-witness accounts of war, great poets and novelists, modern film-makers, or military and other historians? W ho gets us closest to the "truth" about war as a fundamental element of the human experience and condition? Can we draw general conclusions about the experience of war? Or do we falsely impose our own ideas on history? Note: The course is thematic rather than narrative. Some of you will find it necessary to do extra reading on the general history of war, or reading that situates specific wars in overarching patterns of military and world history. I will post a comprehensive reading list to Blackboard. On the course site are additional features, from photos and music files to videos, to still and animated maps. Administrative Information Office hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:00-3:00 pm. Thursday 11:00-12:00 in B-13, 725 Commonwealth Avenue. Phone: (617) 353-1165 e-mail:
[email protected] Email is best method of contact. Grading: Attendance and participation is required, including making formal class presentations. C Film review (4-6 pages) 20% Due February 23 C Book review (6-8 pages) 20% Due March 23 C Research paper (15-18 pages) 40% Due April 20 C Participation 20% Includes reports to class In your research paper you must engage the main historical issues but also how your chosen topic is represented or misrepresented in different media.