Thanks to all of you who contributed ideas a few weeks ago for my
syllabus-in-formation for a media history/social history class I'll
be teaching in the spring. After I get it completed, I'll post the syllabus
or otherwise make it available to anyone who's interested.
 
I'm looking for some readings to fill in a few gaps and to work with
specific screenings. Keep in mind that the course is predominantly
freshmen and sophomores, so I need fairly easily-digestible article or
chapters (I'm also under a constraint from the local copy center to keep
excerpts fairly short so as not to infringe upon copyrights).
 
Here goes, in no particular order. If you can think of anything that might
help, please email me. Thanks!
 
1. I'm screening Peter Davis' _Hearts and Minds_ and Altman's _M*A*S*H_.
Any critical articles on either film?
 
2. Does anyone know if, among all the writing on _Citizen Kane_, there is
anything which addresses the Kane/Hearst character in its sociohistorical
context (ie issues of industrial capitalism, labor, etc)? Critical articles
would be nice, too.
 
3. Is anyone aware of any good articles which explore the way 1950s science
fiction films and TV dealt with the Cold War (and especially the Red Scare)?
I know there must be something out there, but don't know where to start. I'm
thinking of screening the 50's Invasion of the Body Snatchers or something
similar. Ideas? Please?
 
4. Critical articles on _Rebel Without a Cause_?
 
5. Have any of you found anything that's VERY recent which provides an easy
overview of the political economy of the media industries (eg, similar to
Bagdikian's _Media Monopoly_ or _Lords of the Global Village_ article)? The
latter (from The Nation a few years back) is very good but is already out of
date, of course.
 
6. Last, but not least--what about reality-based tabloids on TV? I want to
do a section on the blending of fiction and nonfiction conventions, of news
and entertainment, in 90's TV. What has worked for you, and what readings do
you recommend?
 
Thanks for helping me fill in some holes in my reading list!
 
Pam Wilson
 
 
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