1. Select a popular film: (i.e. a film for the mass market, not a documentary, even if it is for mass consumption--programs found on the A&E Channel or the like) whose base is an event, personage, time period, or issue grounded in U.S. history from the end of the Civil War up to the present (or, if you do something on the settlement of the West, you can go back as far as about 1850). There is a wide variety of these--some old but other new releases.  Some examples would be Dr. Strangelove or JFK or The Sting.

2. Get background information before you see the film: You'll want to assess the historical foundation of the film by first gathering historical information about the topic.  Begin with your textbook by reading the pages dealing with the film's topic.  Choose books or journal articles in the library by historians on the topic--may include biographies, autobiographies, but not random websites.  Using at least two sources other than your textbook, gather information for an historical perspective about your topic.  

3. See the film.

4. Write your personal evaluation.
 
 

The Document (440 to 660 words)

Title: The title should contain the name of the film and of its director.

Content:
 a. An introduction about YOUR personal interest in the subject.  Why did you choose this?  

 b. A brief introduction of the film you chose to see, and an explanation of its focus.. DO NOT give me three pages of film summary. ("First this happened, then something else happened, and then somebody died, and then....")

 c. A summary of the historical background pertinent to the specific film that gives you the basis for critical review of the film.

  d. Pick items that are present in both the historical record and portrayed by the film.  Discuss them in comparative form.  Example, most people rate King George III as mentally unstable because of royal inbreeding while the explanation is similar in film The Madness of King George, the reason given is a chemical imbalance.

 e. Please note any glaring errors in the presentation of the film from period costumes to omissions of vital facts or other historical gaffs.

 f. Give your personal evaluation of the film as a vehicle for accurate historical portrayal or dissemination of U.S. history. 

 g. Develop a position on the influence of this film on John or Jane Q. Under Educated Public who is not nearly as well informed as you are.  What distortions about U.S. History will they take with them from the popular film media?  DO NOT ASSUME that these people CHOOSE TO BE INFORMED CITIZENS.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS REQUIRED.  IT MUST CONTAIN A MINIMUM OF TWO HISTORICAL (2) SOURCES.