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Film Festival - Fahrenheit 911
COLLEGE NOW
STUDENTS CANNOT ATTEND THIS FILM UNLESS THEY ARE
ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
Wednesday
- October 13, 2004
MAC Playhouse - 3:30 pm -
6:15 PM
College Now Courses - Behavioral/Social
Sciences & Communications
Hosted by: Dr. Robert Singer, Professor of English - College Now English Course
Coordinator
Dr. Voorhees Dunn, College Now Behavioral/Social Sciences Course Coordinator
Professor Sam Taitt, College Now Communications Coordinator
About
the Movie: Fahrenheit
911
Director, Michael Moore 2004 - Rating R
This is the most talked
about political film of the year, and now you can see why. Fahrenheit 911
is difficult to describe, but it has an attitude that is threatening, funny,
and unforgettable, as it explores the world of President Bush and the war
in Iraq. This film definitely takes sides and no prisoners, and that is why
it has angered and delighted so many. Will this film, neither documentary
nor work of fiction, affect the election? You decide, as you laugh, cry, and
think. Starring: The United States of America.
About the Presenters: Dr.
Voorhees Dunn & Professor Sam Taitt
Dr. Voorhees Dunn is a professor in the department of History,
Philosophy and Political Science. He earned B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees
from Rutgers University. He teaches American Constitutional Law, The American
Legal System, and Introduction to Criminal Justice for the college and has
been the College Now Behavioral & Social Sciences Course Coordinator since
1997. Dr. Dunn believes that viewing and discussing this film will help students
understand the critical difference between a historical documentary and political
propaganda.
Professor Sam Taitt is a communications specialist who is a faculty member
in the Communications and Performing Arts Department at Kingsborough Community
College. He has worked as a consultant in several political campaigns in the
Caribbean and here in New York advising candidates on TV and radio advertising
and their impact, as well as having run for elected office himself. He believes
it is important for students to be informed about their country and how the
media impacts the world around them.
Extra
Credit Assignment
Sample
ACT Essay
There is
little debate that the various media outlets, whether film, television, newspaper,
or radio, amoung others, have a great, if not controlling presence in the
lives of American citizens and how they receive the news and form opinions.
The media affects the manner in which we receive and process information,
and very often, it can sway our opinions one way or the other, as you have
seen in the film Fahrenheit 911. In fact, there are many people of
various political persuasions who believe that the media, especially film
and television, have become too influential in affecting and even determining
public opinion. For example, a film like Fahrenheit 911 has an equal
number of supporters who see it as a "truthful document," as it
has detractors who label it as a "creative pack of lies." Several
media critics have called upon congress to impose a limited form of censorship
and control over the media to insure that controversial issues, no matter
what the issue involves, must include both/all sides of an argument or debate;
each controversial position would be actively represented in the film, television
show, or whatever form of expression. They believe this guarantees a balanced
perspective and that other points of view will be heard. Yet others maintain
that the government has no business getting involved with creative work or
news coverage and that this is a dangerous precedent; freedom of the press
and creative expression means the government cannot impose its dominant values
on the media.
You have been asked to write a letter to your local congressperson in which
you will express your views concerning the issue of media censorship and the
idea that both/all sides of an argument would have to be presented in media
projects such as films and television shows. Fully discuss your view; you
may refer to recent historical events, other opinions, television or newspaper
coverage, or even the film Fahrenheit 911.
Mini-Research
Skills Review
(NOTE: THIS
IS NOT A RESEARCH PAPER - IT IS A RESEARCH-ORIENTATED EXPERIENCE IN
WHICH STUDENTS GATHER AND CATEGORIZE INFORMATION. THEY CAN PREPARE OUTLINES,
NOTE-CARDS, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, CITE REFERENCES (quote, paraphrase, summarize)
OR PRACTICE ANY COMBINATION OF THESE SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH PREPARING A RESEARCH
PAPER).
Utilizing the library and its resources, and/or material from the Internet,
prepare an investigative project that focuses on any one of these topics associated
with the film, Fahrenheit 911.
a-Documentary films
b-OPEC
c-The 2000 Presidential Election
d-The Al-Jazeera network
e-Terrorism in the twentieth-century
Standard College Essay
Many issues
arise from the analysis and discussion of the film, Fahrenheit 911.
Some of the more personal issues involve dealing with loss and grief, witnessing
a crime and seeking justice, questioning authority, and more. Some broader,
social issues discussed in the film involve the role and power of the government
in times of crisis, the corruption/honesty of leadership, dealing with international
terrorism and analyzing its cause, and making a case for war. There are other
related personal and social issues arising from the analysis of this film,
and these are only some suggested and significant themes to consider.
In a full-length essay (approximately 400-500 words) later to be revised for
content and correctness, discuss any of the issues raised in the film Fahrenheit
911 that you consider to be of special interest either for yourself or
for society. Explain why and how these issues are significant not only in
the film but also in relationship to your own life, American society, or both.