Course Description & Learning Goals

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines history and film in Europe from the immediate aftermath of the Second World War to the recent past. Topics include: the memory of the Second World War and the reconstruction of Europe, the Cold War, the dilemmas of Americanization, the expansion of the social welfare state, decolonization and immigration, student protest, the radical right, (the challenges of) European integration, and more.

We will examine how the major political, social and cultural struggles of Europe have been reflected and interpreted in the art of cinema. We’ll pursue a set of guiding questions: How has Europe (and how have Europeans) recovered from the disaster that was the first half of the twentieth century? How have filmmakers reflected upon this history? How can film help to illuminate our understanding of history? How can history help to illuminate our understanding of film?

The course will be taught with a mix of lecture and discussion. Most importantly, you must set aside 2 to 3 hours to watch films after class on Wednesday and before the weekend. My expectation is that you will watch films on your own. If there is interest, I will organize a Thursday night film screening.

LEARNING GOALS

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Identify and describe the major developments in politics, society, and culture in Europe from 1945 to the present
  • Identify and describe some key films that shed light on this history
  • Apply basic tools of historical analysis
  • Apply basic tools of film criticism

COURSE MATERIALS

There is a required text for the course: William Hitchcock, The Struggle for Europe: The Turbulent History of a Divided Continent, 1945 to the Present (Anchor Books, 2004). This is not a glossy textbook but a thoughtful survey of Europe’s history from 1945 to the turn of the millennium. We will read much of this book – and it will be a reference for you throughout the course. There will be additional short readings available electronically.

For those of you who want an introduction to how to write papers for history courses, I recommend: Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (Bedford/St. Martins). Any recent edition would be good. There are copies on reserve at the library. For an engaging survey of European cinema, I highly recommend: Elizabeth Ezra, European Cinema (Oxford, 2004).
Many of our films are available to watch on Kanopy (for free with a Wooster account). Others can be rented online for a modest cost.

VIEWER ADVISORY

These films require a viewer advisory. Many of these films include intense violence and explicit sexuality. Some include sexual violence. Misogyny is rife, as are outdated gender models. Be forewarned. If you are sensitive to this material, you should review the IMDB parent advisory for the films that we are watching.