FRS 002X —
Sec. 001 —
(2 units) — CRN 65550 — T 2:10-4:00pm — 175A Phys/Geo
Hollywood Looks at L.A.
Instructor: Kenneth Verosub, Department of Geology, College of Letters
and Science
Description: Probably more films have been made
about Los Angeles
than any other city in the world, and Los Angeles has been destroyed
on film more
times and in more ways than any other city. Does Hollywood treats
L.A. differently
than it treats other major American cities? Does the repeated
destruction of L.A.
on film arise from a love-hate relationship with the place in which filmmakers
happen to live and work? Or does it reflect what has been called an
"ecology
of fear" that infects the inhabitants of that city? This seminar
will focus
on films in which the city of Los Angeles could have been listed as a
major character.
We will begin by looking at films in which Los Angeles is destroyed
(such as Earthquake,
Volcano, and Miracle Mile) to determine what, if anything, these films have in
common. We will then look at films that portray a more sinister side of life in
Los Angeles (such as Chinatown, Grand Canyon, and L.A. Confidential)
and compare
them with films that have a more upbeat (or offbeat) view of life in that city
(such as City of Angels, L.A. Story, and Dragnet). Through such films we will
seek to understand how films reflect the times in which they are made and how
that reflection can be distorted when the subject of the film is the
environment
in the film itself is being made. As a final exercise, students will be asked
how they would make a new film about L.A. that reflects current
political, social
and economic realities. The primary goal for student learning will be
to demonstrate
that films, which students have probably only considered as a means
of entertainment,
can be the subject of serious discourse and analysis. A secondary goal will be
for students to discover how films can be influenced by both social
and political
circumstances. Both of these goals will help awaken in first-year students an
understanding of the possibilities inherent in looking critically and
analytically
at the world around them.
Format: The class will be taught as an informal discussion. At
times the instructor will lead the discussion; at other times, the
students will
lead or will make more formal presentations. Viewing of films will take place,
for the most part, outside of class. Class time will be spent discussing short
clips that will be shown in class. Students will be expected to view at least
one full-length film before each meeting of the class and to prepare
for a discussion
about it. They will also be expected to illustrate the points they
make in class
by showing short clips from the film. For this reason, access to a DVD player
is useful, but not required. Grading: Two-thirds of the
grade will be based on the extent and quality of participation in the
class discussions.
The other third of the grade will be based on the quality of an oral
audio-visual
presentation that each student will be required to make at the end of
the seminar.
About the Instructor: Ken Verosub is a professor in
the Geology
Department and the former director of the Davis Honors Challenge. In
his research
he uses the magnetic properties of sediments and soils as tracers of
paleoclimate
and other environmental processes. He has been fascinated by Los Angeles ever
since 1966 when he drove into the city at night and saw the
headlights from eight
lanes of traffic in his rear-view mirror. He is also a "movie buff"
and this seminar provides him with an opportunity to combine his interest with
cities in general and Los Angeles in particular with his love of films.