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During the semester, I shall post course material and students will comment on it. Students are also free to comment on any aspect of American politics, either current or historical. There are only two major limitations: no coarse language, and no derogatory comments about people at the Claremont Colleges. This blog is on the open Internet, so post nothing that you would not want a potential employer to see. Syllabus: http://gov20h.blogspot.com/2023/08/draft-introduction-to-american-politics.html

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Politics Through Film and TV, 2017

In National Treasure (2004) Nicholas Cage explains this whole course 


Birth of a Nation (1915) -- the first movie to have a White House screening, sadly revealing Woodrow Wilson's writings and racial attitudes in the early 20th century (at 2:42:50).

Gabriel Over the White House (1933) -- also illustrates the Trump approach to civil liberties.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Citizen Kane (1941) -- lock him up! (at 2:09) and rigged election

Mission to Moscow (1943) -- featuring Good Guy Stalin (at 45:00)

Duck and Cover (1951) -- civil defense documentary on saving yourself from the Bomb.

Fail-Safe (1964) -- after the Cuban Missile Crisis, a presidential offer (1:15)  scary look at an accidental nuclear attack

Dr. Strangelove (1964) -- a satirical look at an accidental nuclear attack.

All the President's Men (1976) -- an iconic but made-up line.

The Lion King (1994) --Compare Nuremberg rally  with "Be Prepared"

The Wire (2006) -- juking the stats on the police force and in school.

Mad Men (2014) -- the finale of season 6 brings us back to ... Coming Apart

The Americans (2015) -- two KGB agents hear Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech

The Martian (2015) -- 28 seconds of great life advice

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