History at the Movies

Can we actually learn history by watching films and television series? This course attempts to answer that question. Students view film clips as well as movies in their entirety, while learning about the historical events and individuals who are being portrayed. We place a particular emphasis on different depictions of the same moments and people, to cast light on just how divergent the same event can be, as seen through a different lens. We learn more about the history that each film addresses and analyze the accuracy or inaccuracy of each movie. Participating in this course affords students a unique opportunity to use critical thinking skills to enrich their study of history.