Special Topics: US History Through Film

Semester

Unit Title

Unit 1: Basic Elements of Film

Unit 2: America’s Early Growth (1865-1920)

Unit 3: America’s Economic Rise and Fall (1917-1935)

Unit 4: America’s Wars (1945-1975)

Unit 5: America’s Social Wars (1945-1979)

Unit 6: America in a Globalized World (1980-Modern Day)

Time

2 weeks

2 weeks

3 weeks

3 weeks

2 weeks

3 weeks

Understandings

Students will identify and trace the evolution of film and analyze how films can be used to understand the past.

Students will compare and contrast the historical portrayal of America’s westward expansion through films at various points in history.

Students will analyze how film has depicted the Gilded Age throughout history and evaluate how films from different time periods reflect the Gilded Age.  

Students will compare the representation of different ethnic groups and women in films about World War One in history.

Students will analyze changing interpretations through film of the Roaring Twenties and explore how these interpretations reflect contemporary views of social and political issues.

Students will analyze how the Great Depression has been portrayed in film throughout American history.

Students will analyze the portrayal of America’s involvement in World War Two as well as compare the portrayal of American involvement in the war to other nations.

Students will analyze the historical film portrayal of the Cold War, particularly by exploring key issues such as the nuclear arms race and the Vietnam War.

Students will explore the historical portrayal of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement focusing how historical events shape the narrative told through the films.

Students will compare and contrast historical portrayals of women and Hispanics in various films and analyze how these films reflect changes in American views on these groups.

Students will evaluate how the film industry has portrayed the growing threat of terrorism and American foreign policy in the 21st century.

TEKS

STSS.1A, STSS.2A, STSS.2B, STSS.2C, STSS.3A, STSS.3B, STSS.3C, STSS.3F

STSS.1A, STSS.2A, STSS.2C, STSS.3A, STSS.3B, STSS.3F,

STSS.1A, STSS.1B, STSS.1C, STSS.1D, STSS.2B,  STSS.2A, STSS.2C, STSS.2E, STSS.2G

STSS.1A, STSS.1B,  STSS.1E, STSS.2A, STSS.2C, STSS.2D, STSS.2G

STSS.1B, STSS.1D, STSS.1E, STSS.1F, STSS.2D

STSS.1B, STSS.1E, STSS.1G, STSS.2E