Instructor: Kenneth Verosub, Department of Geology, College of Letters and Science
Description: Many films deal with ordinary people who are tempted by or fall victim to the enticements of the Devil, in one or another of his many incarnations. In this course we will explore Hollywood’s fascination with the Prince of Darkness, or, perhaps more appropriately, with the darker side of human nature. We will begin by looking at some classics of this genre, such as The Blue Angel and Dr. Faustus. We will then look at more recent films in which the portrayal of the Devil ranges from the humorous (Little Nicky, Beetlejuice, and The Witches of Eastwick) to the sinister (The Ninth Gate, Rosemary’s Baby and The Devil’s Advocate). We will pay particular attention to how the portrayals differ and what these differences tell us about changes in popular culture through time. As a final exercise, students will develop a screenplay for a modern film involving the Devil that reflects attitudes and values of the twenty-first century. 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 tell us something about ourselves and the culture(s) in which we live. 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: Half of the grade will be based on the extent and quality of participation in the class discussions. The other half of the grade will be based on the quality of an oral audio-visual group presentation that students 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. This is twelfth Freshman Seminar that he has taught on the topic of films and popular culture.