HIST 4800 – Selected
Topics in World History
North African History through Film
Daily Schedule
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HiST
4800 Course Description:
This course
examines selected periods of significant development in world history. While
topics may vary from semester to semester, a consistent focus of the course will
be the interaction between Western and non-Western cultures and the impact of
these interactions on the evolution of the modern world. May be repeated when
topic varies
In Maymester
2011 the course focus is on North African History through Film.
This
course will examine the history and culture of North Africa through its cinemas
from the period of colonization to the present. It will also include the North
African Diaspora in France, which has developed a vibrant body of films
confronting issues of migration and exile. North African film directors, both on
the continent and in the Diaspora, have tackled the complexity of North African
societies from the wars for independence to contemporary issues of the
post-colonial state, such as identity, language and gender as well as Islamic
extremism. The films provide a rich source for examining these and other
significant issues in the region’s history.
Pre-Requisites:
HIST 1112 (Survey of Modern World History) with a minimum US grade of
C or
HIST 1111 with a minimum US grade of C
Required Reading
Daily readings will be available in GA View either as a link or as a PDF
Instructional Activities and Methodology
Classes will
consist of film screenings, short lectures and class discussions. It is vital,
therefore, that students come to class having read the materials and ready to
discuss them. Students will be expected to participate liberally in class
discussions as well as prepare questions on the reading assignments and films
Computer Use in This Course:
Students are required to have reliable access to a computer that can utilize
GA View Please make certain that your computer is configured properly
to do so, by completing the tutorial located here:
http://ctl.clayton.edu/cid/tutorials/Vista/student/vistahelp.htm Also you
need to know how to use GA View. Please consult the HUB for technical support.
Instructor
Information:
Dr. Victoria Pasley
e-mail:
victoriapasley@clayton.edu
homepage: http://a-s.clayton.edu/vpasley
office: G214A
Please print, and read, the course syllabus available at this Website.
Grading
A: 90%
B: 80%
C: 70%
D: 60%
F: Less than 60%
Course Assignments
30% Class participation (you must join in
the discussion which will be conducted in groups and with the class as a whole)
20% Each day 1-2 students will prepare questions from the readings and film
screened
30% Research Paper: One of this course’s objectives is to improve your ability
to write and think critically. Students are required to write a 6-8 page
research paper on a film by a North African director. This paper will be due one week
after the last class. Details will be given - please e-mail topic in GA View
20% you are required to write two reaction papers to two of the films and the
assigned reading screened in class (10percent each) papers should be two
page double spaced due through GA view before midnight Monday 20th May.
OR write one 4 page paper on one of the films screened.
Late papers and work may not be accepted and will be subject to lost points at 5 points per day. All late papers require written documentation explaining the reason for lateness. (Broken printers are not an excuse … make sure you do your paper well before the deadline). All papers must be uploaded to GA View. Do NOT e-mail papers to my csu address.
A note on attendance: Since this is a very intensive course each day missed will lose 10 percent of your grade. Half a class 5 percent. If you are late or wander off during class this will accumulate as an absence. You must see the films with the class. DO NOT LEAVE THE CLASSROOM TO ANSWER YOUR PHONE – TURN IT OFF BEFORE COMING INTO THE CLASSROOM.
The
films shown have sub-titles and need concentration. Laptops must be closed and
please do NOT eat during the film.
*Term Paper: Each student will choose a film by a North African filmmaker from
the list provided (or off the list with my approval) and should analyze the film
in its historical/social/economic context and focus either on the history or the
film style. The paper should be 6-8 pages double spaced 12 pt. font. It must
have Chicago style or MLA style citations throughout the paper – any paper not
doing so will automatically receive an F.
You must use at least 5 books or scholarly articles related to your topic. You should include journal articles. Please consult with me either by e-mail in GA View or in person. In order to achieve an A you must complete all stages of the project on time. DO NOT USE INTERNET SOURCES (Except for Primary Sources or serious director’s interviews) – do not use Wikipedia or other encyclopedias as sources. Please e-mail me your topic. Plan early as you will most likely need to use Interlibrary Loan. Also you will most likely need to get the film you write on from Netflix (you can sign up for a free month)