SOC 249: Native Nations of the US,
TR 10-11:50  OL 215
Fall 2006
DePauw University
Professor Thomas Hall
 Office:  106 Asbury, x4519, email: thall@depauw.edu
 OFFICE HOURS:  TuTr 1-1:50; W 11-12; & by appt
 Instructions for Film Reviews
 Last Updated 9-26-06

Reviews should be 2 to 3 pages, double-spaced, one inch margins, or about 500 to 1000 words. Each review should assess how the film portrays American Indians in terms of: The first two can be dealt with in an opening sentence like this: "Black Robe portrays Northeast Woodlands Indians in the early contact or market phase."

In order to assess the historical accuracy of a film you must present evidence, you may not just assert it is accurate. It is permissible to say that you do not have sufficient information or knowledge to assess a film's accuracy. But then you must go on to say what types of information you would need in order to do so.

You must deal explicitly with Ward Churchill's critiques of films and novels (pp. 295-314; 409-418; 419-422; 423-437) From A Native Son on reserve . It is not necessary that you agree with his assessments, but you must deal with them. It is OK to discuss films and reviews with classmates and friends, but write your own review! You should also consult the first few essays in Hollywood's Indian: The Portrayal of the Native American in Film, edited by Peter Rollins on reserve. You may also find useful information and ideas in some of the reviews in Past Imperfect: History According to the Movies, edited by Mark C. Carnes, also on reserve.

Also of interest is a somewhat dated, yet interesting article by David Seals who wrote Powwow Highway, on the "New Custerism":
http://www.emayzine.com/lectures/nc.htm

These film reviews are content driven. I literally do not care about cinematography, acting, etc. [unless they bear directly and forcefully on the way Native Peoples are portrayed]. It is NOT that those things are not important; they are. But they are not the focus of these assignments. I will say more about this in class [see Instructions for Essays].

Rules for Essays:
Essays are formal writing. They require:

For more elaborate instructions on writing for professor Hall see How to Write Essays for Professor Hall.
Remember to use social science reference system:
"Churchill even criticizes Tony Hillerman's mysteries" (Churchill 1992, p. 249)."
No bibliography required for required texts. Do not make a title page!

In the upper left hand corner supply the following:
Your Name
Soc. 249
Film Review #
The # is which review this is for you.
Centered above the start of your review, put the name of the film you are reviewing.

Films to Review:
I have put several videos on reserve. You can also get them from various video stores. If the film is NOT on List for Films for Reviews, get my ok [a simple email will do].  DO NOT review any of the films listed as off limits. These are films we all will see and discuss in class.

Choosing films to review.  My advice is to pick ones that you have not seen, so that you will be seeing them fresh. If you rely on memory or one you have seen several times you may gloss over issues that are important to this class.

Finally, I suggest you use and an early, historical film first, and save the contemporary ones until later in the course when we have discussed those issues.

Due Dates:
In order to get everyone on track, reviews will be due on the following dates:

Remember, film reviews may be turned in early! All MUST be turned in by the following dates:

Send comments or questions to thall@depauw.edu
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