The 20th Century in Film
Film emerged as an exciting and frightening new communications medium of the 20th century. Whether intended to spread political propaganda, provide an entertaining escape from daily life, or to experiment with new ways of expressing art forms and ideas, film came to be a powerful tool that both shaped and reflected German experiences throughout the century. Examining films from the 20th century will bring us closer to an understanding of the social, political and historical contexts from which they emerged. The goals of the course are to introduce students to some of the major cultural and political issues of the 20th century in Germany, learn to recognize and interpret cinematic techniques, and improve students’ German language skills. Students will write several short papers, two essays, and a midterm and final exam.