HST 404-05/504-05 The Pacific War in Movies
Summer 2004 Room: Niccol 006
Office: Rm315 AD, History Department
Office Hours: MT before class, or by appointment
Office Phone: 885-7166, or 885-6253
This course focuses on World War Two in
the Pacific and how
1. Final Examination 150 points
2. In-class Presentation 150
3. Five in-class movie responses 100
4. Attendance 100
Examination includes essay questions mainly coming from the class discussions, reading, and movie presentations. A study guide will be provided prior to the exam..
In-class movie responses are students instant response to movies or documentaries showed in class. You have time to write down the response while in class on a sheet with some short questions. If you miss the class, you can't turn in the response later.
In-class Presentation Two students will team up in one group to do an in-class presentation on one movie. At the end of the presentation, each group must turn a written report of the presentation (preparation notes, preferably typed, are okay).
1) The following themes should be included in the presentation:
--historical background of the movie (this is a must section to include prior to the movie show);
--director, screen writer, major cast of the movie;
--how does the movie reflect the cruelty and humanity in the war? How realistic the movie portrays the historical development?
--What do we learn about specific event/campaign/issue in the war from this movie?
--flaws or weakness of the movie in terms of reflecting historical realities;
--some questions for the class discussion;
2) Showing the movie:
--the show time show be limited to about one hour, which means it is not necessary to show the entire movie;
--movie showing must be accompanied with presenters interpretation for certain segments, explain the scene, relating to the historical development, raising questions to the audience, and compare or contrast the movie with the history;
--prepared to answer questions from the class.
3) Evaluation of the presentation is based on the involvement of all members in the group, quality and information provided. Each group can decide the format of the presentation.
Attendance is mandatory. Please keep in mind that summer session is highly condensed and concentrated. Examination questions come mainly from the class discussion. One day of class is the equivalence of one week class in a regular semester. Therefore, students who miss four class periods without legitimate reasons will automatically receive “F” in this course.
According to the
A=500-450 B=449-400 C=399-350 D=349-300 F=299 and below
Week 1 June 14-17
Mon., June 14 Japan as an Emerging Power
Tue., June 15 War in
Landmine Warfare (Chinese)
Tunnel Warfare (Chinese)
Wed., June 16
(One or both of them with comparison)
Thur., June 17 The First Campaigns
Thirty Seconds over
(one of the mnovies)
Week 2 June 21-24
The War on Different Fronts
Mon., June 21
The Thin Red Line
Tue., June 22
Burmese Harp (English subtitles)**
Wed., June 23 POWs
Bridge of the River Kwai**
Thur., June 24 Flying Tigers
Lover’s Grief over the
Mon., June 28 War at Home,
Japan at War (documentary)
The Propaganda War (documentary)
Tue., June 29 War at Home;
Without Due Process (documentary)
Go for Broke**
Wed., June 30 Final Battles
Thur., July 1 The End of the War
Week 4 July 6-8 (No Class on July 5, Monday, Independence Day Observed)
Crisis & Challenges
Tue., July 6 Impact of the Bombs
Black Rain (English subtitled)**
Wed., July 7 Rebuilding
Thur., July 8 Final Exam
**The movie titles with the ** mark mean presentation is scheduled.
**The instructor reserves the right to change the course schedule if necessary.