...Humanities 332: American Humanities Fall 2015 Professor Kim Codella PhD. Office Phone 916-691-7633 Office SOC #128 Office Hours MW 4:30PM-5:30PM TTH 4-5:30PM, online 11-12 pm Friday. codellk@crc.losrios.edu Required Text. The House made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday. This book is available in the bookstore for you and there is also a copy in the library for your use. In addition there will be weekly online readings in D2L. You must do the required reading to pass the class. Students must attend lectures and take notes. Participation, i.e., your attention is required. Course description: This course examines the arts and ideas taken from the American experience in the 20th century and today. Material covered includes literature, art, music, philosophy and history of the twentieth century. The course draws upon the arts of African American, Native American, Asian American, Anglo and Latino cultures as avenues for understanding issues of ethnicity, class and gender as they intersect with mainstream American values. Course presentation: Lecture, discussion, audio-visual materials and readings from the text, online, and material to be supplied by the instructor. In addition an extra-credit will be offered. Attendance: Required, a student missing more than 5.4 class hours may be dropped from the course (this is four class sessions). Because of the recent budget situation instructors are encouraged to drop students who are not attending class. Basic Rules: ...
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...According to Joanne B. Cuilla, ‘one of the first things Americans ask when they meet someone new is, ‘what do you do?’’, and as such, she argues that in the US, work wholly ‘determines our status and shapes our social interactions’ (2000. The Working Life: The Promise and Betrayal of Modern Work. Page 12) . In order to truly explore the representation of work in America, as it is a vast topic with an array of different experiences, there are many different areas to look at, which this essay will reflect. Kathryn Stockett's novel The Help, turned movie, depicts the racial tensions in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Era, and highlights the lives of African-American maids working in white households. Providing a vastly contrasting view of...
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...Racism, Social Class, and Gender Issues: A Look Into 1930s Maycomb, Alabama. The film, To Kill A Mockingbird directed by Robert Mulligan, portrays a message of racism, social class, and gender issues faced by southern towns post Civil War era. The 1962 film adaptation of the classic book, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee was masterfully captured being placed on the American Film Institute’s list of greatest American movies of all time and taking home many countless awards. The black and white portrayal from text to film is exquisitely captured turning pages to picture while reveling a heartbreaking reality. Through camera, lighting, and sound Robert Mulligan creates a mood to communicate the vision of Harper Lee. The film takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Robert Mulligan illustrates the story of the lives of Scout and Jem, children growing up in this small town with their friend Dill who stays for the summer. The youngsters become infatuated with getting a glimpse of Boo Radley the unseen hermit of a neighbor. This summer also entails issues facing, their attorney father, Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson, an African American man falsely accused of raping a white woman from town, Mayella Ewell. The children catch wind of the trial and for the first time witness evil realities of the world. Jem and Scout, Atticus’s children become the targets of Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella Ewell. Bob Ewell tries to kill them one Halloween...
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...Media in the Socialization of Children and Young Adults The media today are a powerful tool in modifying the behavior of children and young adults. This behavior can be seen as negative or positive depending on the situation. Children’s development is influenced by many factors but as Lund (2003) noted the significance of the mass media cannot be overstated: “The accumulated experience of media exposure contributes to the cultivation of a child’s values, beliefs, dreams, and expectations, which shape the adult identity a child will carry and modify through his or her life.” Studies investigating Social Learning Theory, done by Baker (2007, p.26) have consistently reported that children can model roles and behaviors seen on television. Media play a significant role in the socialization process, body image, and moral judgments in children and adolescents. Cartoons on television are some of the first factors of socialization in a child’s life. Although many adults feel that cartoons are obviously fantastical, unrealistic, and therefore harmless to children, the research evidence proves otherwise. “According to developmental literature, children before the age of ten years often have difficulty differentiating between reality and fantasy”(Baker, 2007, p.25). Anderson found (as cited by Lund) that students who had regularly watched educational television as children had higher grade point averages than those who did not. Other research has found a more negative influence...
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...Morrison points out those major themes in American literature that have Caucasians playing the heroic protagonist whereas the African American plays the antagonist. African Americans are seen as the dark, or the wrong within media. Throughout history most African Americans play minor characters that add conflict to stories such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. American history of race has impacted the world and created problematic stereotypes. “I pointed out that cultural identities are formed and informed by a nation's literature. What seemed to be on the "mind" of the literature of the United States was the self-conscious but highly problematic construction of the American as a new white...
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...“African – Americans, Asian – Americans, and Latino’s have been depicted in television, sports, and films in ways that have been changed in our society” (Omi 655). Stereotypes play an important role in today's society and particularly in Propaganda. According to the Webster's Dictionary stereotyping is defined as “a fixed conventional notion or conception of an individual or group of people, held by a number of people.” (Webster’s dictionary) Stereotypes can be basic or complex generalizations which people apply to individuals or groups based on their appearance, behavior and beliefs. Stereotypes are found everywhere. Though our world seems to be improving in many ways it seems almost impossible to liberate it from stereotypes. For example, African- Americans are associated with basketball, and acting. Asian – American men are made out to be the bad guys in film, women are seen as prostitutes and are sexual abused. Last but not least Latino’s are popping up everywhere, in hit TV shows like Ugly Betty, in major league baseball and in the music business. Stereotypes have existed since the beginning of time in our everyday life through religion, politics and the media. Humans have the tendency to use stereotypes in their humour, their descriptions of others, and even in their beliefs. One may believe it is possible to rid oneself of such habits; however if one looked at the regular promotions of propaganda, it would make this objective impossible. Stereotypes, however, aren't...
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...From John Singleton’s Boyz in the Hood to Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, black film and the emergence of a subsequent hip-hop visual markers have posited African-American kaleidoscopes of a view into aspects of the so-called ‘black experience’ in social terms. Music and song scores in film today – across the board – are replete with hip-hop representations. Munby maintains that the “low-budget” characteristics of Rudy Ray Moore’s effort to appeal to black audiences in the pre-1980s, given his “irreverent attitude to the laws that govern mainstream moviemaking” had failed to measure up to what hegemonic society deemed as ‘good’ black film (204). Yet, three key areas of discourse of hip-hop influences in cinema persist around the culture of...
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...This study is going to critically analyze Tyler Perry films and how mainstream media tries to hide verbal abuse, infidelity, and communications problems in marriages. His films presents a positive image of the African American cultures in ways most media would not dare touch, because it would not have the same impact on other cultures. It tries to overcome most stereotypes that are considered in the African American culture such as class, religion, and gender roles. I try to draws comparisons with all his films and relate them to the context that is not shown in other movies. Dealing with issues that most couple in real life face but is not brought into the light. Tyler Perry sets out to relate to his target audiences and teaches morals and values to his viewers. There is nothing normal or traditional about the way Tyler Perry approaches his films. His movies are in a strange between a melodrama and traditional drama. Why did I get married is a movie that focuses to covers four African American married couples going on an annual vacation retreat in Colorado to work on their marital problems. The purpose of couple’s therapy is to help restore function a better level of functioning in couples that experience distress. Couples therapy can assist persons who are having complaints of intimacy, sexual, and communication difficulties. But in this case, the couples do not have to pay a psychologist to get advice because one of the close college friend is an advisor. The couples...
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...Political Movements in the 20th Century HUM/300 Political Movements in the 20th Century During the 20th century several major political events took place that changed the worldwide view of civilization and shook up the collective consciousness. World War I and II showed the dark side of technology when used to hurt humanity. Civil movements surged around the world as a result of minorities trying to regain their identity, which various governments throughout the world restricted. The authors will examine major political events that had a notable effect on the 20th century, including, the influences of World War I and II, the surge of the Civil Rights Movement, and the Gender Equality Movement. The author’s examination will consider the works of artists and how his or her creative expression reflected the mood of the era. Political Events: World War I and II World War I (WWI) started in 1914, and lasted through 1918. The political event that triggered this war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The war tactics employed in World War I changed the methods and strategies in future conflicts bringing more devastation. Some of the new strategies included trench warfare, chemical warfare, and upgraded technology; it introduced chemical weapons including chlorine and phosgene, which produced devastating damages. The exposure to high levels of these gases resulted in temporary blindness, difficulty...
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...Key to notes listed a = also approved for Analyzing the Natural World b = also approved for Understanding the Individual and Society c = also approved for Understanding the Past d = also approved for Understanding the Creative Arts e = also approved for Exploring World Cultures f = also approved for Understanding U.S. Society g = Indicated courses specifically designed for those majoring in areas other than science and mathematics h = LAS nonlaboratory courses Anthropology (ANTH) | 102 | Introduction to Archaeology | 4 hourscg | 105 | Human Evolution | 4 hourscg | 218 | Anthropology of Children and Childhood | 3 hoursbh | 238 | Biology of Women Same as GWS 238 | 3 hoursgh | | | | Biological Sciences (BIOS) | 100 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | 5 hours | 101 | Biology of Populations and Communities | 5 hours | 104 | Life Evolving | 5 hoursg | | | | Chemistry (CHEM) | 100 | Chemistry and Life | 5 hoursg | 112 | General College Chemistry I | 5 hours | 114 | General College Chemistry II | 5 hours | 116 | Honors General Chemistry I | 5 hours | 118 | Honors General Chemistry II | 5 hours | 130 | Survey of Organic and Biochemistry | 5 hours | | | | Computer Science (CS) | 100 | Discovering Computer Science | 3 hoursh | | | | Earth and Environmental Sciences (EAES) | 101 | Global Environmental Change | 4 hours | 111 | Earth, Energy, and the Environment | 4 hours | 200 | Field Work in Missouri | 2 hours...
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...Monopoly The Mickey Mouse Monopoly documentary reveals the obscure social messages behind the animated films created by the Disney Company. Although we are conditioned to believe that these movies are pure forms of entertainment, further examination has proved that there are hidden messages concerning gender, race and class that Disney is instilling in the minds of children. The speakers in the documentary argue that Disney is extremely political and hides its ideas behind innocence, magic and fun. When masked by features that are appealing to a younger audience, it is difficult to realize these ideas without taking a closer look. One of the main controversies discussed in this video is the way that Disney portrays women in its productions. The way that females are shown is similar across all Disney films, even animal characters. They are shown having a seductive or entrancing way about them, large eyelashes, attractive bodies and large breasts. Doctor Carolyn Newberger, a psychology professor at Harvard University, pointed out the scene from Aladdin when Jasmine seduces Jafar to distract him while Aladdin tries to rescue her. This scene suggests to viewers that women can use their bodies to manipulate men in order to get what they want. Other ways women are portrayed in these films are vulnerable, weak, and always needing to be rescued by a male. Aside from gender, race is another issue that is often misrepresented in these productions. One example in the documentary...
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...Not until I started researching racism in Disney films did I understand this was even an issue. As a little kid you most likely don’t pick up on these things but as an adult being aware of it, do we allow our children to continue watching such films? My dice identity role was in perspective of an African American person. Disney does a great job of stereotyping against this race in several movies, the Jungle Book being just one. In this particular movie, they have portrayed gorillas and orangutans to sound like black people. In their slightly ever more popular film, The Lion King, they made the hyenas speak in a clear street manner such as an inner African American dialect. (“Stereotypes”) Another issue came into light once the film The Princess and the Frog was released. Why had it taken Disney so long to come out with its first African American princess film? This film’s original story line had the princess character named Maddy who was a chambermaid. This caused uproar about the character starting the movie as a slave and having the name Maddy that sounded too much like Mammy and changes were made. Mammy is defined as a black woman engaged as a nurse to white children or as a servant to a white family. (Evans) When it comes to gender, Disney does another awesome job of drawing a distinct line between female and male characters. The female characters were typically shown in a position of queen, homemaker or princess such as Cinderella who goes from a maid to a princess. Male...
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...Guess Who Racial Relations Guess Who is an American romantic comedy film about race relations and gender. The 2005 motion picture covers interracial romance of an African-American woman with a white, Caucasian man in a light and farcical manner. It is a loose remake of the 1967 serious and dramatic fashion film, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Race and ethnic relations are the social, political, and economic relations between races and ethnicities at all levels of society. This area encompasses racism, segregation, and other complex social processes between different racial and ethnic groups. The movie poster precisely portrays the idea and concept of the film. The door being guarded by the African American serious father, the bouquet of colorful flowers held by the white, Caucasian boyfriend, and the in love African-American daughter standing behind her boyfriend reflects one the most important details that illuminate in the movie poster. The daughter of the house brings her white, Caucasian boyfriend home to meet her parents on the occasion of her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. Her father dislikes him almost immediately because of his race. The movie poster reflects how he is guarding and controlling the door of the house symbolizing how he doesn’t want his daughter’s boyfriend to enter and become part of the family nor part of his daughter’s life because he belongs to a different race. It seems that he believes that if the white, Caucasian man enters the house, he is...
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...Right Thing Summary Emily Bings Sociology November 16, 2015 In the eye-opening 1989 film Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee was able to create a captivating story of racial tension and discrimination. Starring as Mookie in his award-winning movie, Lee portrays a pizza delivery man trying to support his girlfriend and son. The pizzeria has been run for twenty-five years by an Italian-American named Sal, who has an older son named Pino who is incredibly racist towards African Americans. Pino and his brother Vito are suffering a rocky relationship due to Vito’s friendly demeanor towards Mookie, which Pino practically views as a crime. These separate racial groups set the discriminatory tone for Lee’s disturbing yet inspiring hit film. This intense drama captured racism in urban America using simple characters that were able to portray a huge amount of meaning and values. Tensions begin to rise on a hot summer day between Buggin’ out, Mookie’s close friend, and Sal at his pizzeria. Buggin’ Out takes it upon himself to directly ask Sal about the lack of black celebrities on his “Wall of Fame,” to which Sal states that he does not need to feature anyone who is not Italian in his restaurant. After Buggin’ Out’s unsuccessful protest against the wall with Radio Raheem and Smiley, tension is left thick and raw between the two racial groups. Radio Raheem and Smiley, although not the stars of the film, seem to hold pretty large significance just by their character identities alone. Smiley...
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...that adaptations and sequels are automatically lesser works in and of themselves. You can make a tremendously original or even groundbreaking film out of an adaptation such as The Dark Knight. You can just as easily make an uneventful mess out of an original idea as seen in Transcendence. Some sequels are among the best films ever made while lots of legendary duds were original ideas. Here’s the thing though, no matter how many perfectly good movies we’re getting out of Hollywood’s current obsession with adaptations, sequels, and reboots, too much of it is bad for the soul of a movie culture. New things, new experiences,...
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