February 24, 2011

Key Questions about CultureWhat is the relationship between mass or

popular culture and the broader culture of society?

What is the role and importance of film in popular culture at different periods in history?

Can film makers exercise power or influence through their privileged access to cultural production?

Early Beliefs about the Power of FilmIn its early days, as with photography, people

assumed that film was an accurate representation of reality

The early response to films was so strong that many observers thought that film could play a key role in politics

The first attempts to use film explicitly for political purposes were during World War I

The use of film for propaganda purposes by the Nazis and by Stalin was a continuation of this tradition

In the US, the private film industry volunteered its services to the government

Historical FilmsWe have seen a series of films about

fictionalized historical eventsIn 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”

Some argue that a film like “The Hurt Locker” is an accurate portrayal of the war in Iraq; others disagree

How should we think about such claims?

Key Question about HistoryIs there such a thing as “objective” history?If so, how does one differentiate objective

from subjective history? Assuming objectivity is possible, how do

social institutions and popular myths (as reflected in cultural artifacts) push the telling of history away from objectivity?

History as a Unifying Myth vs. “Objective” History

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.”

Film as MythWhat is the role of myth in society?What role does myth and mythology play

in the stories told by films and other artifacts of popular culture?

How do myths change over time to reflect new or different understandings of reality and/or history?

ArchetypesSwiss 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.

Claude Levi-StraussMyths reflect patterns in the mind that are

characteristic of all humans, and therefore all human societies.

Most myths reflect mental polarities (pairs of opposites):Good vs. EvilHeroic vs. CowardlyMale vs. Female

People who agree with Levi-Strauss were called “structuralists”

Joseph Campbell (1904-1987)Early writings on Native AmericansMajor work: The Hero with a Thousand Facestwo different types of mythology:

myths that "are metaphorical of spiritual potentiality in the human being

myths "that have to do with specific societies“George Lucas was strongly influenced by

Campbell’s ideas, especially the importance of the heroic quest or journey in mythology

Heroes in Star WarsHan SoloLuke SkywalkerPrincess LeiaYodaObiwan Kenobe

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Good vs. Evil in Star WarsRepubliRepublicc

JediJedi ObiwaObiwann

LukeLuke

YodaYoda

EmpireEmpire SithSith VaderVader

SiddiouSiddiouss

MaulMaul

DookuDooku

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The Empire: Nazi Colors and Demonic Makeup

Color scheme:grey, red, black,and white.