American Studies 201 Final Exam
For this take-home exam you will write two essays. Choose one prompt from each section. Each essay should be approximately 3 pages in length (typed, double-spaced, standard 12-point font, standard margins). For each essay, you are expected to draw from lectures and at least 3 assigned online readings. Essays that do not integrate assigned readings will receive poor grades.
As I have explained in class throughout the semester, be aware that some of the online readings must be accessed directly through the librarys search engine because Titanium does not allow certain links. In each case, type in the name of the author and book title to access the ebook, and then select the correct chapter from the table of contents. These include:
–Three chapters (10, 12, and 23) from the Hollywood Classical Reader by Neale (both readings from week 9 and one from week 11)
–Chapter 4 from The Emergence of Rock and Roll by Hall (week 13)
–Chapter 1 from Disco Dance by Ortiz (week 14).
All of the other online readings should be accessible directly through the links on Titanium. Remember you may need to log in to access them.
Please clearly identify which prompt you are choosing for each section. Be sure to use specific examples to illustrate your points and arguments.
Section 1
-
Write an essay analyzing the ideological functions of Hollywood movies from the 1930s to the 1950s. What social and political purposes did movies serve for audiences during these years, beyond mere entertainment? What social messages did the movie industry convey to audiences during these decades, and how did these messages change over time?
-
Write an essay analyzing the relationship between the movie industry and TWO of the following major historical events: The Great Depression, World War II, or the emergence of the Cold War. What do we learn about these historical events from the inner workings of the film industry and the movies the industry created? Compare and contrast how Hollywood depicted and reflected each historical event.
Section 2
-
Write an essay analyzing the intersection of politics and popular music from the 1950s to the 1980s. Discuss three of the following genres of popular music in your essay: 1950s rock-n-roll, 1960s psychedelic rock, 1970s disco, and 1980s rap/hip-hop. Of these three genres, which posed the greatest challenge to the political status quo, and why?
-
Write an essay analyzing how popular music has reflected attitudes about sexuality from the 1950s through the 1980s. How did sexuality figure into the history of popular music during these years? What do we learn about the broader nature of sexuality in American society and culture during these years from popular music?
Online readings found on titanium under amst 201:
-
E-version of Richard Godbeer, Sexual Revolution in Early America URL
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
