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Polf10 February 24, 2011
Key Questions about Culture <ul><li>What is the relationship between mass or popular culture and the broader culture of society? </li></ul><ul><li>What is the role and importance of film in popular culture at different periods in history? </li></ul><ul><li>Can film makers exercise power or influence through their privileged access to cultural production? </li></ul> Key Questions about Culture <ul><li>What is the relationship between mass or popular culture and the broader culture of society? </li></ul><ul><li>What is the role and importance of film in popular culture at different periods in history? </li></ul><ul><li>Can film makers exercise power or influence through their privileged access to cultural production? </li></ul>
Early Beliefs about the Power of Film <ul><li>In its early days, as with photography, people assumed that film was an accurate representation of reality </li></ul><ul><li>The early response to films was so strong that many observers thought that film could play a key role in politics </li></ul><ul><li>The first attempts to use film explicitly for political purposes were during World War I </li></ul><ul><li>The use of film for propaganda purposes by the Nazis and by Stalin was a continuation of this tradition </li></ul><ul><li>In the US, the private film industry volunteered its services to the government </li></ul> Early Beliefs about the Power of Film <ul><li>In its early days, as with photography, people assumed that film was an accurate representation of reality </li></ul><ul><li>The early response to films was so strong that many observers thought that film could play a key role in politics </li></ul><ul><li>The first attempts to use film explicitly for political purposes were during World War I </li></ul><ul><li>The use of film for propaganda purposes by the Nazis and by Stalin was a continuation of this tradition </li></ul><ul><li>In the US, the private film industry volunteered its services to the government </li></ul>
Historical Films <ul><li>We have seen a series of films about fictionalized historical events </li></ul><ul><li>In the midterm, one of the questions dealt with the relation between a specific film (Apocalypse Now) and the director’s claim that the film “is Vietnam” </li></ul><ul><li>Some argue that a film like “The Hurt Locker” is an accurate portrayal of the war in Iraq; others disagree </li></ul><ul><li>How should we think about such claims? </li></ul> Historical Films <ul><li>We have seen a series of films about fictionalized historical events </li></ul><ul><li>In the midterm, one of the questions dealt with the relation between a specific film (Apocalypse Now) and the director’s claim that the film “is Vietnam” </li></ul><ul><li>Some argue that a film like “The Hurt Locker” is an accurate portrayal of the war in Iraq; others disagree </li></ul><ul><li>How should we think about such claims? </li></ul>
Key Question about History <ul><li>Is there such a thing as “objective” history? </li></ul><ul><li>If so, how does one differentiate objective from subjective history? </li></ul><ul><li>Assuming objectivity is possible, how do social institutions and popular myths (as reflected in cultural artifacts) push the telling of history away from objectivity? </li></ul> Key Question about History <ul><li>Is there such a thing as “objective” history? </li></ul><ul><li>If so, how does one differentiate objective from subjective history? </li></ul><ul><li>Assuming objectivity is possible, how do social institutions and popular myths (as reflected in cultural artifacts) push the telling of history away from objectivity? </li></ul>
History as a Unifying Myth vs. “Objective” History <ul><li>The importance of a shared understanding of history in maintaining social cohesion often conflicts with the internal need of the community of historians to entertain opposing viewpoints in the interest of “objectivity.” </li></ul> History as a Unifying Myth vs. “Objective” History <ul><li>The importance of a shared understanding of history in maintaining social cohesion often conflicts with the internal need of the community of historians to entertain opposing viewpoints in the interest of “objectivity.” </li></ul>
Film as Myth <ul><li>What is the role of myth in society? </li></ul><ul><li>What role does myth and mythology play in the stories told by films and other artifacts of popular culture? </li></ul><ul><li>How do myths change over time to reflect new or different understandings of reality and/or history ? </li></ul> Film as Myth <ul><li>What is the role of myth in society? </li></ul><ul><li>What role does myth and mythology play in the stories told by films and other artifacts of popular culture? </li></ul><ul><li>How do myths change over time to reflect new or different understandings of reality and/or history ? </li></ul>
Archetypes <ul><li>Swiss psychologist Carl Jung (1873–1961) tried to understand the psychology behind world myths. Jung asserted that all humans share certain innate unconscious psychological forces, which he called archetypes . Jung believed that the similarities between the myths from different cultures reveals the existence of these universal archetypes. </li></ul> Archetypes <ul><li>Swiss psychologist Carl Jung (1873–1961) tried to understand the psychology behind world myths. Jung asserted that all humans share certain innate unconscious psychological forces, which he called archetypes . Jung believed that the similarities between the myths from different cultures reveals the existence of these universal archetypes. </li></ul>
Claude Levi-Strauss <ul><li>Myths reflect patterns in the mind that are characteristic of all humans, and therefore all human societies. </li></ul><ul><li>Most myths reflect mental polarities (pairs of opposites): </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Good vs. Evil </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Heroic vs. Cowardly </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Male vs. Female </li></ul></ul><ul><li>People who agree with Levi-Strauss were called “structuralists” </li></ul> Claude Levi-Strauss <ul><li>Myths reflect patterns in the mind that are characteristic of all humans, and therefore all human societies. </li></ul><ul><li>Most myths reflect mental polarities (pairs of opposites): </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Good vs. Evil </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Heroic vs. Cowardly </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Male vs. Female </li></ul></ul><ul><li>People who agree with Levi-Strauss were called “structuralists” </li></ul>
. Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) <ul><li>Early writings on Native Americans </li></ul><ul><li>Major work: The Hero with a Thousand Faces </li></ul><ul><li>two different types of mythology: </li></ul><ul><ul><li>myths that "are metaphorical of spiritual potentiality in the human being </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>myths "that have to do with specific societies“ </li></ul></ul><ul><li>George Lucas was strongly influenced by Campbell’s ideas, especially the importance of the heroic quest or journey in mythology </li></ul>
. Heroes in Star Wars <ul><li>Han Solo </li></ul><ul><li>Luke Skywalker </li></ul><ul><li>Princess Leia </li></ul><ul><li>Yoda </li></ul><ul><li>Obiwan Kenobe </li></ul>
. Good vs. Evil in Star Wars Republic Jedi Obiwan Luke Yoda Empire Sith Vader Siddious Maul Dooku
. The Empire: Nazi Colors and Demonic Makeup Color scheme: grey, red, black, and white.