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Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies

Approx. 21 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Explore the art of film images in this course, where you'll learn the history of film and how it has influenced modern cinema. Discover techniques for analyzing and interpreting film images, and gain an understanding of how to use these techniques to create your own unique style.

Key Learning Points

Gain a deep understanding of the history of film and how it has influenced modern cinema.
Learn techniques for analyzing and interpreting film images.
Discover how to use these techniques to create your own unique style.

Learning Outcomes

Develop a deep understanding of the history of film and its influence on modern cinema.
Learn techniques for analyzing and interpreting film images.
Gain the skills necessary to create your own unique style in film.

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of film history and cinema
Access to a camera or smartphone for practical exercises

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

Similar Courses

Introduction to Film Production
The Art of Cinematography
Film Editing: Theory and Practice

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Roger Ebert
Alfred Hitchcock

Related Books

Description

This course is a short taster on the topic of the use of Images, Film, and their use in historical interpretation in the 20th century. It is primarily provided for those who have a general interest in history that draws on photojournalism as primary evidence, and films based on historical events.

Once you have completed this course we hope you will be equipped to: Appreciate the significance of photographs as historical evidence in the twentieth century. Understand the limitations of the medium, and how we can attribute meaning to these individual records of 'one moment in time' while taking into account the circumstances in which any particular image was taken. Understand how individuals and institutions have looked to manipulate images to their own ends – through alteration and/or censorship – and what that meant to contemporary interpretation, as well as subsequent historical interpretation. Put individual images into a wider context, and in particular with reference to history written, or portrayed, beyond academia: public history. Do be aware that part of the contents of this course regard images and depiction of war. Real wars and real images.

Outline

Introduction
Introduction
Use of Images
Manipulation
The Image in Politics
Advertising
Reportage (Reporting the News)
Optional Extra Material - other forms of images - Guernica
The Camera Never Lies - Course Information
Aims and Objectives
The Use of Images
Manipulation
The Image in Politics
Advertising
Reportage
Optional Extra Information - Guernica
Week 1 Quiz

Images and History in the Twentieth Century
Introduction part 1
Hitler
The Boer War
The Civil Rights Movement
Vietnam
The Blitz part 1
The Blitz part 2
Optional Extra Material - The London Riots 2011
Adolf Hitler
The Boer War
The US Civil Rights Movement
Vietnam
The Blitz
Optional Extra Reading - The London Riots 2011
Week 2 Quiz

The Air-Brushing of History: Stalin and Falsification
Introduction
The Soviet Union
Soviet Union under Stalin
The Image as Propaganda
Falsification
Conclusion
Optional Extra Material - Films with historical themes
Optional Extra Material: Film - The Damned United
Optional Extra Material: Film - In the Name of the Father
Optional Extra Material: Final Thoughts
Introduction
The Soviet and Stalin Lectures
Falsification
Optional Extra Material: Films with historical themes
Week 3 Quiz

Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability: The Battle of Mogadishu
Introduction
Death of Margaret Thatcher
Black Hawk Down
The Day of the Ranger: Aftermath
Black Hawk Down and 9/11 Media Reportage
Black Hawk Down - The Website
The Image
Interview
UN and the USA in Somalia: Historical Context
The Somalian Civil War: Historical Context
Optional Extra Material - Interview with Niko: Real-Time Editorial Decision – The Boston Marathon Bombing
Optional Extra Material - Image in the Context of Gender Studies
Introduction Information - Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability: The Battle of Mogadishu
Death of Margaret Thatcher - Information
Black Hawk Down – Information
The Day of the Ranger: Aftermath - Information
Media Reportage - Images and information
Black Hawk Down: The Website - Information
The Image - Information
Interview - Information
The UN and the USA in Somalia: Historical Context
The Somalian Civil War: Historical Context - Information
Optional Extra Reading: Interview with Niko: Real-Time Editorial Decision: The Boston Marathon Bombing - Information
Week 4 Quiz

The Power of the Image: Mount Suribachi, 1945
Introduction
Background to the Battle
Loss of Life
Importance of Iwo Jima
Did you pose that?
The Photos
The 'Gung-Ho' Shot
The 7th War Bond Drive
The Stamp and After
Ending the Pacific War
Interview - Reflections on Iwo Jima
Background to the Battle
Loss of Life - Information
Importance of Iwo Jima - Information
The Photos and 5.6 'Did you pose that?'
The 'Gung-Ho' shot; and Interpretation of the Main Image - Information Reading
The 7th War Bond Drive - Information
The Stamp and After - Information
Ending the Pacific War - Information
Week 5 Quiz

From Page to Screen: Film as Public History
Introduction
Approach to study
Flags of Our Fathers: The Book and Film as Public History
Letters from Iwo Jima
Academic critiques
An Honourable Suicide
Interview with Julio Etchart: America's Other 9/11
Final Thoughts (MOOC wrap up)
Week 6 reading part 1- Reading
Flags of Our Fathers: The Book and Film as Public History - Information
Week 6 Quiz

Summary of User Reviews

Learn about the art of film images with this highly recommended course on Coursera. Students rave about the comprehensive curriculum, engaging instructors, and practical assignments that help them develop their skills. One key aspect that many users appreciate is the focus on both technical and creative aspects of film images, which allows them to produce high-quality work that truly stands out.