American Film History


Book Description

From the American underground film to the blockbuster superhero, this authoritative collection of introductory and specialized readings explores the core issues and developments in American cinematic history during the second half of the twentieth-century through the present day. Considers essential subjects that have shaped the American film industry—from the impact of television and CGI to the rise of independent and underground film; from the impact of the civil rights, feminist and LGBT movements to that of 9/11. Features a student-friendly structure dividing coverage into the periods 1960-1975, 1976-1990, and 1991 to the present day, each of which opens with an historical overview Brings together a rich and varied selection of contributions by established film scholars, combining broad historical, social, and political contexts with detailed analysis of individual films, including Midnight Cowboy, Nashville, Cat Ballou, Chicago, Back to the Future, Killer of Sheep, Daughters of the Dust, Nothing But a Man, Ali, Easy Rider, The Conversation, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Longtime Companion, The Matrix, The War Tapes, the Batman films, and selected avant-garde and documentary films, among many others. Additional online resources, such as sample syllabi, which include suggested readings and filmographies, for both general and specialized courses, will be available online. May be used alongside American Film History: Selected Readings, Origins to 1960 to provide an authoritative study of American cinema from its earliest days through the new millennium




African-American Philosophy


Book Description

This anthology brings together a selection of historical and contemporary writings on topics in African-American Philosophy. Questions regarding a wide range of issues--including slavery and freedom, social progress, self-respect, alienation, sexuality, cultural identity, nationalism, feminism, Marxism and violence--are critically examined from different perspectives by well-known philosophers and by non-philosophers from many disciplines. It emphasizes the historical significance of the philosophical arguments within very specific social and political contexts. Features substantial extracts, and in some cases complete works by important 19th- and 20th-century social and political thinkers--organized under sections on Antebellem Critical Thought, Emigrationist and Diaspora Thought, Assimilation and Social Uplift, Contemporary Black Feminist Thought, Civil Rights and Civil Disobedience, Marxism and Social Progress, Rebellion and Radical Thought, Social Activism Reconsidered, Black Women Writers on Rape, and Alienation and Self-Respect. For anyone interested in the African-American experience and American history.




I See America Dancing


Book Description

Representing dancers, scholars, admirers, and critics, I See America Dancing is a diverse collection of primary documents and articles about the place and shape of dance in the United States from colonial times to the present. This volume offers a lively counterpoint between observers of the dance and dancers' views of what they do when they dance. Dance traditions represented include the Native American pow-wow; tribal music and dance activities on Sunday afternoons in New Orlean's Congo Square; the colonial Playford Balls and their modern offspring, country line dancing; and the Buddhist-inspired Japanese Bon dances in Hawaii. Anti-dance perspectives include government injunctions against Native American dancing and essays from a range of speakers who have declared the waltz, the twist, or the senior prom to be a careless quick-step away from hell or the brothel. I See America Dancing examines the styles that have marked theatrical dance in America, from French ballet to minstrel shows, and presents the views of influential dancers, choreographers, and the pioneers of early modern dance in America. Specific pieces examined include George Ballanchine's ballet Stars and Stripes, Yvonne Rainer's protest piece "Flag Dance, 1970," and Sonjé Mayo's "Naked in America." Covering historical social attitudes toward the dance as well as the performers and their works, I See America Dancing is a comprehensive, scholarly sourcebook that captures the energy and passion of this vital artform.




Twentieth Century Voices: Selected Readings in World History (Revised Edition)


Book Description

From Gandhi to Osama bin Laden, from Mao to Churchill, and from Kipling to Salman Rushdie, Twentieth Century Voices: Selected Readings in World History offers a wide variety of primary sources for students of the Twentieth Century world. While all students will benefit from these readings, Michael G. Vann used his expertise in teacher training to specifically compile this collection to prepare students who intend to teach in California high school classrooms. Thus, the sources are organized with an eye to the California State Standards for 10th grade World History. Furthermore, Vann, an active member of the World History Association and an officer in the California World History Association (a WHA regional affiliate), has framed these primary sources with current trends in the historiography of World History. Specifically, the collection rejects discounted Eurocentric narratives and gives voice to traditionally marginalized historical actors in the history of imperialism, communism, and the Cold War. Along with many classic documents from key historical moments, readers will find several sources that challenge conventional wisdom about this tumultuous century. Michael G. Vann is an Associate Professor of World History at Sacramento State University, vice president of the California World History Association, and a past president of the French Colonial Historical Society. In addition to teaching World History for undergraduate and graduate students, he offers courses on imperialism, Southeast Asia, and genocide. Vann is active in teacher training for California high school teachers. His publications include The Colonial Good Life: A Commentary on Andre Joyeux s Vision of French Indochina, a special issue of the World History Association Bulletin on France in World History, and over a dozen academic journal articles on French colonialism.
















Official Register


Book Description