Understanding Politics Through Film

Instructor:  Dr. Burton Atkins

Course Description:  This course uses the medium of film to examine important and persistent themes about politics.  While the academic field of political science includes a broad range of topics, we will focus on several key themes and issues that have found expression through the medium of film, such as how presidents and presidential power has been portrayed in films, how Hollywood has imagined political campaigns being conducted, the problem of violence in the United States, and how the cinema has examined foreign policy.  Each week we will view portions of films that illustrate these and other themes in order to better understand and evaluate some of the broader issues and ideas embedded in politics more generally.

Six Lectures

(Please note that the film selection is for purposes of illustration and are subject to change)

1.   Is War a Continuation of Politics by Other Means?  (Paths of Glory, Patton, Lawrence of Arabia)

2.   Law and Justice (A Civil Action, Twelve Angry Men, Inherit the Wind, Serpico)

3.   Political Themes in Musicals (Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, Evita)

4.   “Reel” Presidents (The American President, Absolute Power, Nixon)

5.   Nazis Portrayed in Film (The Boys from Brazil, Marathon Man, Schindler’s List)

6.    Dystopia in Film (V for Vendetta, Planet of the Apes)

Biographical Information: Dr. Burton Atkins is professor emeritus of political science at Florida State University and is currently teaching political science for Florida Atlantic University at the Wilkes Honors College and on the Boca Raton campus.  Dr. Atkins taught a variety of courses during his 35 year career at FSU, served as chair of the Political Science Department, served as director of FSU’s London Study Center and has served as director of the FSU International Affairs program.