Office: 105 Zulauf DuSable 461
Office Hours: T 12:15-1; T, Th
W 11-12:30; Th
In general, the Tuesday and Thursday meetings will be devoted to lectures and discussions, as well as viewing parts of films. Our Thursday meetings, however, typically will be much briefer. On average, students will have less than three-and-a-half hours of class time (including film viewing) a week.
The Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political science courses or directed studies. Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular class standing. Winners are expected to attend the Department's spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a certificate and $50.00. Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a department secretary by February 28. All copies should have two cover pages - one with the student's name and one without the student's name. Only papers written in the previous calendar year can be considered for the award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible for the following year's competition even if the student has graduated.
Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, NIU is committed to
making reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.
Those students with disabilities that may have some impact on their coursework
and for which they may require accommodations should notify the Center for
Access-Ability Resources (CAAR) on the fourth floor of the
Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site on a regular basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking department events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu
Terry Christensen and Peter Haas, Projecting Politics
-Class attendance and contributions to discussions. 20%
-Oral presentation in class of a political issue linked to one or more
films viewed that day. Students must meet with the professor during
his office hours to
gain approval of the topic and format at
least two
weeks prior to the presentation. Dates for presentations will be
assigned in class. 20%
-One eight-page paper due at the beginning of class, Thursday,
November 29th. The paper may use one or more of the films viewed
in class to analyze a political issue. Alternatively, the paper can
compare the treatment in two or more films, or in a novel and a film
based on that novel, of a political issue. 20%
-Final exam, Tuesday, May 8th, based on questions distributed in class
on November 27th. The exam will include short and long answer questions
based on readings, films, lectures and presentations. 40%
Rewrite policy Students may elect to resubmit their paper. However, the resubmitted papers will be graded down half a grade (five points out of 100.)
Schedule of lectures, readings, and films
Introduction to the course
War in film
August 30, September 4 and 6, Vietnam War
Films: The Boys in Company C (1978), Apocalypse Now (1979), Green Berets (1968), Heaven and Earth (1993), Deer Hunter (1978), Full Metal Jacket (1987), In the Year of the Pig (1968), The Ugly American (1962)
September 11, Journalists in
Films: The Year of Living Dangerously (1982), The Killing Fields (1984), The Quiet American (1957 and 2002)
September 13, World Wars I and II
Films: Grand Illusion (1938), Big Parade (1925), Enemy at the Gate (2001), All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Outskirts (1933)
September 18 and 20, Nuclear Apocalypse
Films: Dr. Strangelove (1964), Thirteen Days (2000), Seven Days in May (1964), On the Beach (1959), Fail Safe (1964)
Politics in
September 20, 25, and October 2, Politicians, Campaigns, and Corruption
Films: The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979), A Face in the Crowd (1957), Born Yesterday (1950), Primary Colors (1998), The Contender (2000), Bulworth (1998), Bob Roberts (1992), Wag the Dog (1997), Absolute Power (1997), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), State of the Union (1948), Advise and Consent (1962), The Candidate, All the President’s Men (1976), Juarez (1939), The Best Man (1964)
October 9, the State of
Films: At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991), Lord of the Flies (1963 and 1990)
October 11 and 16, HUAC, censorship and regulation
Films: Salt of the Earth (1954), Julia (1977), High Noon (1952), On the Waterfront (1954), A King in New York (1957), This Film is Not Yet Rated (2006), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Social and Political Problems
October 18, It Can’t Happen Here
Films: Animal Farm (1954 and 1999), All the King’s Men (1949 and 2006), Gabriel Over the Whitehouse (1933)
October 23 and 30, Nazism, Communism, and the Cold War
Films: Reds (1981), Blockade
(1938), Triumph of the Will (1936), The Great Dictator (1940), Remains of the Day (1993), Missing (1982), Lifeboat (1944), Watch on the
November 1 and 6, The Little Guy and the “Iron Cage”
Films: Modern Times (1936), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), The Fountainhead (1949), Major Barbara (1941), The Crowd (1928)
November 13, The Great Depression and Social Democracy
Films: Cradle Will Rock (1999), Grapes of Wrath (1940), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Our Daily Bread (1934), Force of Evil (1949)
November 15 and 20, Issues of Race and Discrimination in the
Films: Birth of a Nation (1915), Fury (1936), Putney Swopes (1969), Bamboozled (2000), Intolerance (1916), Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)
November 27, Slavery
Films: Amistad (1997), Spartacus (1960)
December 4, Insidious Menaces and Threats
Films: Manchurian Candidate (1962 and 2004), The Insider (1999), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Silkwood (1983), Alamo Bay (1985), El Norte (1983), Network (1976), Medium Cool (1969), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)