HIST 416- “Sex, Swords, and Sorcery”: The Medieval World in Film (3 credit hours) 9:00-12:45 pm

Instructor: Craig M Nakashian Phone: 903-223-3136 Texas A&M University-Texarkana E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: TR 10-11, 5-6 Office: UC 226

Course description The Medieval World has been fascinating audiences of cinema since the earliest days of Hollywood. From figures such as and Robin Hood to settings such as Camelot and England, Anglo-American film-makers have remade the Middle Ages to suit their own interests and ideals. This course allows students to view and analyze a number of films about the medieval period, medieval characters, in order to better understand how and why we consistently re- imagine the Middle Ages.

Texts

Readings to be provided as handouts, pdf documents, or online links.

For a good summary of medieval films, see: http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/acpbibs/harty.htm

Student Learner Outcomes:

Students will analyze US and UK films related to the civilizations of Europe during the Middle Ages.

Students will create, present, and defend reviews addressing topics of interest related to the course materials.

Students will discuss the historical and cultural underpinnings of the course materials.

Assessment/Requirements

Each student will be expected to carry-out the following tasks:

1. Write brief film analyses. 2. Write two larger comparative analyses. 3. Write a creative final essay. 4. Participate in class activities.

Brief Film Analyses [30% of course grade; 5 points each; 30 points total]

After each film, you will have the opportunity to write a brief (1½- 2 pages) analytical critique. These are NOT merely reviews, but rather analyses of what you consider to be an interesting and insightful point about the film’s portrayal of its topic. These are independent film critiques, not derivative film reviews or summaries. You may continue submitting them until you reach thirty (30) points.

Comparative Film Analyses [30% of course grade; 15 points each; 30 points total]

Each section of the course gives you the opportunity to write a five to six (5-6) page film analysis discussing the films of that section. There are three (3) of these assignments, but you will only be graded on two (2). If you choose to write all three (3), I’ll grade your best two (2). Remember that these are ANALYTICAL critiques. I want original arguments and interpretations of the films. These essays MUST be turned in on the day they are due, or before. Also, while you may draw on some of the same ideas you expressed in the Brief Film Analyses, it is not sufficient to mostly copy from your earlier work. If in doubt, come talk to me about it.

Final Essay [30% of course grade; 30 points]

The final, take-home, creative assignment will ask you to consider the broader themes raised by the course, ultimately asking you to analyze how film-makers have portrayed the Middle Ages. Topics will be discussed later in the semester.

Class Participation [10% of course grade; 10 points]

Discussion is vitally important. Comments will be assessed on their appropriateness to the topic, their demonstrated understanding of the materials, and their ability to enhance the classroom discussion. Comments that do not add to or enhance the classroom discussion will not count as participation for the purposes of grading.

Grading Scheme [100 points total] My grading system is designed to put you in control of your final grade. For each assignment you complete you will accumulate points. The more points you accumulate, the higher your grade becomes. You can always tell how you are doing by comparing your point total to the scale below. The only way to lose points is by missing class.

A = 90 -100 B = 80 -89 C= 70 -79 D= 60 -69 F= 59 and less

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the A&M-Texarkana Disability Services Office by calling 903.223.3062.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and undocumented use of materials from any source, constitute academic dishonesty, and may be grounds for a grade of "F" in the course and/or disciplinary actions. For additional information see the university policy manual.

Email Account

Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an individual will be assigned an A&M- Texarkana email account. This email account will be used to deliver official university correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent and received via the university email account and is expected to check the official A&M-Texarkana email account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are required to utilize the university email account when communicating about coursework.

Drop Policy:

To drop this course, a student needs to complete the Drop/Withdrawal Request Form; this form is located on the University website (http://tamut.edu/Registrar/droppingwithdrawing-from- classes.html ) or obtained in the Registrar’s Office. Students must submit the signed and completed form to the faculty member for each course indicated on the form for their signature. The signature is not an “approval” to drop, but rather confirmation that the student has discussed the drop/withdrawal with the faculty member. The form is submitted to the Registrar’s office for processing either in person, email ([email protected]), or fax (903-223-32140). Incomplete forms missing any of the required information will not be accepted by the Registrar’s Office for processing. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the form is completed properly before submission.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. You are allowed one unexcused absence during the mini- term. Each subsequent unexcused absence will lower your final grade by a letter.

Class Etiquette:

Students are expected to be respectful of the instructor and their fellow students during any class activities. Therefore, the following rules of conduct will be followed, or a student may be asked to leave the class:

1) Electronic devices may NOT be used in this class. You want to take notes? Re-acquaint yourself with your paper and pencil.

2) Phones must be set to vibrate, or turned off completely, and cannot be used to make calls, send texts, etc, during class. Again do those activities on your own time, not our time.

3) Students are not allowed to bring food into the class. It is a distraction to the professor and other students. Drinks, however, are acceptable.

4) Students will be respectful of one another and the instructor during all class discussions. Insults, ad hominem attacks, and purposely inflammatory statements will not be tolerated. If you are unsure what constitutes any of these, please ask me before spouting off.

Essay Grading:

For a guide to how I grade your analytical essays, please refer to http://www.tamut.edu/faculty%20web%20pages/craig-nakashian/essay-writing-tipsrubric.html

I REQUIRE that you familiarize yourself with those guidelines, as I will grade your essays with the assumption that you have done so.

ALL writing assignments, aside from the final, are to be in Times New Roman, 12-pt font, double-spaced. If this is a problem for you, please come see me at the beginning of the course.

SECTION ONE (1938-1968) (Section Readings on Blackboard)

May 14- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) The Court Jester (1955)

May 15- Discussion over Robin Hood and Court Jester Becket (1964)

May 16- The Lion in Winter (1968)

Section Essay Options (choose ONE!): (DUE MAY 19!) 1) Discuss the conflict between Law and Justice. How is this designed to appeal to American audiences, and what can it tell us?

2) Discuss the role of “Love” in regards to politics and justice in the films.

3) Discuss the portrayal of Kingship in these films. What is it designed to elicit from a contemporary audience?

SECTION TWO (1974-1995)

May 19- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) Robin and Marian (1976)

May 20- (1981) Discussion over Monty Python, Robin and Marian, and Excalibur

May 21- The Princess Bride (1987) Robin Hood (1991)

May 22- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

May 23- (1995)

Section Essay Options (choose ONE!): (DUE MAY 26!) 1) Analyze the portrayal of heroism during this section. How has it changed, or not, from an earlier period?

2) Many of these films deal with a deep sense of “loss” as a motive factor for the action. Why and how would this appeal to an Anglo-American audience?

3) How is political power and leadership portrayed during this section, and why?

SECTION THREE (1995-2010)

May 26- Braveheart (1995)

May 27- A Knight’s Tale (2001)

May 28- King Arthur (2004)

May 29- Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

May 30- Robin Hood (2010)

Section Essay Options (choose ONE!): (DUE JUNE 2!) 1) Discuss the use and portrayal of violence in these films. How does it differ, and more importantly, what effect does that have on audiences and the narrative of the film?

2) Questions of nationalism and religion abound in these films- how are they used by filmmakers to make contemporary points?

3) What is “justice”, according to these films?

(ADDITIONAL FILMS FOR CONTEXT, IF YOU WISH…) Robin Hood w/Douglas Fairbanks (1922) Ivanhoe (1952) The Knights of the Round Table (1953) Camelot (1967) Ivanhoe (1983) The Lion in Winter (2003) (2007) Your Highness (2011)

Guide to Writing a Film Critique  Watch the movie attentively and take notes during the film. Before the film, write down the names of the actors, director and screenwriter and note the film’s length.

 Become familiar with the film’s context. When was the film produced? What were the times, attitudes, political positions, social agendas, etc. of the director, screenwriters and producers? Also, learn about the film’s historical subject matter. Read about the historical events and characters the film portrays. Did the film’s director, screenwriters and producers depict history accurately, or did they elaborate or fabricate the story to make the film more entertaining or to serve a certain agenda?

 After viewing the film, critique and polish your notes, but take time to think about the film before critiquing it. As eHow Contributing Writer wrote, “let your appreciation or distaste wear off a bit so you don't write too emotionally.” (How to Write a Movie Review found at eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2002071_write-movie- review.html#ixzz0swO7n6WE)

 Briefly introduce and recap the film, but do not become bogged down in details. Movie critiques are typically 250 to 500 words, so do use details to illustrate your critique but do not recount the plot. The reader should have a general idea of the subject matter and the quality of the film, but does not need to know the details of the plot. A critique’s purpose is not to recount the story, but to discuss the relevant parts of the movie.

 Have an opinion and support it with examples. What aspects of the film did you like or dislike and why? What did you think of the script, structure, direction, actors, music, cinematography and lighting?

 Provide a concluding assessment. What were the film’s strengths and weaknesses? Why is the movie worth or not worth viewing?

 After writing the critique, let it sit for a day and then return it edit it with fresh eyes. Also, have a colleague, friend or family member read the critique. Often others can catch errors in unclear analysis better than the writer.