...GEOGRAPHY OF THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA Geog 209 - Fall 2014 T-Th 12:00-1:20 Plus Discussion Section and evening films McKenzie 240A Prof. Shaul Cohen Condon 107G Tel. 346-4500 Office Hours Tuesday 12:00-1:00 OBA scohen@uoregon.edu GTFs Ashley Wall Jennings Office Hours M 1:00-2:00 ajenning@uoregon.edu Christine Carolan ccarolan@uoregon.edu Purpose: This course explores the geography of the Middle East with an emphasis on politics, culture, and regional cohesion. Through a variety of sources including modern literature, film, images of landscape, traditional academic texts and the daily news, we will pursue an understanding of those elements that characterize the region, as well as those features that are distinct and mark different peoples and places. We will examine local, sub-national, national, and international issues relating to identity and status, history, environment, economy and other topics, in an attempt to create a portrait of daily life in the many venues of the region, whether they be urban or rural, coastal or desert, North African or Asian, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Arab, Israeli, Turkish, Iranian, and so on. Our goal will be to use the information available to us to discern patterns in the region that allow us to grasp its richness and complexity, to gain a sense of its past, contextualize current changes, and to anticipate future directions. Resources: For this course we will work from a number of selected writings, and...
Words: 2186 - Pages: 9
...While researching film made in the Nineteenth Century I found that the use of technology brought new idea and cause a revelation that effected movie goer worldwide. The following time line shows how each innovation had an effect on the technology that was introduce in that time period. The expectation of movie goers was high as a result the film makers came up with new way of composing motion picture on the big screen. The thought process was open to new possibility. The use of movie projection called magic lantern was introduce in the Seventeenth Century. The use of different filming technique was on the rise. The thought process of movie composer consists of what they were exposed to and to shoot at different perspective. It was well thought out. A movie that was directly influenced by a technological advancement was Alfred Hitchcock, “Vertigo”. To achieve my point, I have organized my paper into four main sections, two of which have sub-sections. In the first section, there is a record of three important events in twentieth century motion picture history: technological changes, the information revolution, a film by Alfred Hitchcock. The techniques he used and how it paved the way for movie director that came after him. It discuss articles a about how the movie Vertigo played an important role and how it impacted the twentieth century film making producer and filming in connecting with his audience. The paper ends with a third section that the film functioned on multiple...
Words: 1520 - Pages: 7
...Kodak is a multinational American corporation which has become a household name most known for its film products. The company has come face to face with many changes due to the digital revolution which has created a rapid changing photography industry. George Eastman began Kodak in 1880 and introduced the first Kodak camera in 1888 coining the slogan “you press the button, we do the rest.” Eastman held a high standard for the company when it came to competition however with many managerial and product line changes, Kodak has slowly fallen behind in the industry. The company has experienced many shortcomings with the most recent trend of digital photography. According to Exhibit 7, from 1998-2002 Kodak was 2nd to Sony in the U.S. for the percent of units sold. The company is now considering layoffs as market share, film sales, and company revenues are down. Problems: § The company is faced with multiple managerial problems. First, the company lacked fresh blood in its management team. All of its CEO’s primarily came from the manufacturing jobs within its own company. This hurt the company overall and put a damper on keeping up with technological changes and competition as “Kodak avoided anything risky or innovative.” Second, when the company finally did add new blood to its management team things still didn’t look up. CEO Kay Whitmore was added in 1990 and changed the focus to “film based technology” such as the Photo CD. In an attempt to integrate this new technology with the...
Words: 2832 - Pages: 12
...disability have rarely been presented in a positive view, which has perpetuated stereotypes about people with disability. In this paper, I will be comparing two films, a documentary and feature film, about mental disability. The documentary that I will be using in this analysis is People Say I’m Crazy, a 1989 documentary film by California Mental Health and Silver Lining Playbook(2012) an Academy Award nominated feature film. The comparison will be as followed: a topics will be presented, next the findings in the documentary, and finally how mental illness is portrayed in the feature film. In this paper I will talk about medical treatment, family and community support, and media representation of people with mental illness. Before I jump into these topics, a summary of these two films are necessary to provide context. People Says I’m Crazy People Says I’m Crazy is a 56 minute documentary by the California Network of Mental Health Clients made in 1989. This documentary is based on the findings from the Well-Being Project, a survey conducted in 1987 to explore what factors promote or deter the well-being of persons commonly labeled as mental ill in California. The statistics from the Well-Being Project survey are included in the documentary to provide focus by the mental health consumers relate their experiences. Silver Lining Playbook In this film Patrick “Pat” Solatano, Jr. (played by Bradley Cooper), a diagnosed bipolar mental patient, is released from a mental health facility...
Words: 1338 - Pages: 6
...[pic] |Course Design Guide College of Humanities SOC/105 Version 5 Introduction to Popular American Culture | |Copyright © 2011, 2010, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This is an introductory course on modern American culture. The course focuses on the interactions between social forces such as advertising, media, and lifestyle and cultural trends in modern American society. Students are asked to cast a critical eye on current trends and changes in our culture. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Petracca, M., & Sorapure, M. (2007). Common culture: Reading and writing about American popular culture (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. All electronic materials are available on the student website. |Week One: Overview of Culture ...
Words: 1641 - Pages: 7
...Film as the most widely-accept form of art plays pivotal role in popular entertainment. Rosenstone states that “You need more than words on page to understand how film presents the world of the past. Words aren’t fully up to the task of comprehending the film experience” (2006, p.1). Product placement (also sometimes referred to as“brand integration”) is the inclusion of branded products or identifiers through audio or visual means within mass-media programming (Balasubramanian 1994). This paper is aim to discuss the affect of product placement on film’s content and production company. With the development of society and technology, there is no denying that the film industry has formed its own unique business model in modern world. In order to product high quality films and obtain greater profits, the film production companies have to invested heavily in its films. In other words, it is impossible to product a high level and appealing film without the support of abundant capital in some extent. In this context, a large number of sponsorship of big brand company plays a significant role in film industry. As a typical representative of new advertisement, product placement is deeply affect films in terms of content, structure, production and so on. According to the data of PQ Media (2007), it spent $885.1 million on product placement embed into the film in the world in 2006. In the meantime, the product placement which means the combination of art and commerce. It is the existence...
Words: 1888 - Pages: 8
...Christian Dior was a renowned French fashion designer who curated one of the world’s top fashion houses. Dior and I brings the viewer inside the magical world of the Christian Dior fashion empire which was looking for a new creative director in 2012. Raf Simons was tasked with putting together his first-ever haute couture show in just eight weeks, which usually requires five to six months. The film is also a homage to the seamstresses who make Raf s vision come to reality. In my paper, I am going to argue that the relationship between individual vision and collaborative labor was the reason behind the successful show. The veteran needle workers and specialists, some of whom have worked for Dior for a long time, feel a devotion to sustaining the legacy and an enthusiastic bond with the items they make. With the Introduction of Mr. Simons to the workers wearing white jackets with “Dior” embroidered above their pockets, his boss believed that the house is going to be “modernizing.” as Raf Simons had a reputation as a minimalist. ‘Dior and I’ gives its viewers an opportunity to enjoy the journey of hard-work and dedication of creating a Haute-Couture Dior show that is usually just talked about. Having to experience it is a feast to its audience along with appreciating the craftsmanship and the stages of production which includes - sketching, prototyping, modeling, to the final catwalk. Raf Simons had to prove himself with the pressure of a ticking clock. His...
Words: 787 - Pages: 4
...Kodak and Fuji Film Running head: KODK and FUJI FILM 1 Kodak and Fuji Film BUS 302 February 2, 2013 Running head: KODAK and FUJIFILM 2 ABSTRACT Eastman Kodak Company and Fujifilm are competing corporations in the photography supply and equipment industry. When the industry changed both companies were impacted, but due to differing management practices and ability to adapt to change one Fujifilm excelled while Kodak faltered and eventually declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2012 Running head: KODAK and FUJIFILM 3 The Eastman Kodak Company, which is better known as Kodak was established in April 1880 by George Eastman in Rochester NY. The company got its start by first manufacturing dry plates for sale to various consumers. (Kodak Eastman, 2013). George Eastman was an innovator in the field of photography and was dedicated to making photography an everyday affair and was even quoted to say that he wanted to make the camera as convenient as the pencil, (Kodak Eastman, 2013) In September 2012 Kodak reorganized into three segments: Digital Printing and Enterprise (DP&E); Graphics, Entertainment, and Commercial Films (GECF); and Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging (to be sold), (Finance, 2013). Kodak has effectively ceased production of its Kodachrome color film line, digital cameras and pocket video cameras. This follows a decision in early 2012 to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd (Fujifilm) is a Japanese based company and was established...
Words: 1657 - Pages: 7
...Elizabeth Gartner Film Viewer Opinion Paper HUM/150 Sitting down and watching movies are always a fun and relaxing part of life. There are films out there that are enjoyable and others that are not. Throughout this reading I will be sharing my personal opinions on what is enjoyable and un-enjoyable to me, and how I decide on which movie to watch. Something that is huge for me is organization in a movie. If it doesn’t keep me interested and in line while watching I loose interest. There are many un-sequenced movies out there, but just because the events in the movie are out of order doesn't been it is not organized. If a movie isn't organized properly, the watcher tunes out. When deciding on a movie to watch I am up for anything. I prefer comedy but often I catch myself watching all different types of movies. I start my selection by scanning my options to look for possibly any I have heard are good or if there are any actors or actresses I recognize. After selecting a few movies this way I then read each movies summary on the back of the case. From these steps I then have my movie to watch. Every person has their different likes and dislikes in movies. A key factor in being able to enjoy a movie for me is organization like I mentioned above. Organization is huge, especially in the first 30 minutes of a movie. The first impression from a movie has to catch the watchers attention. When I sit down to watch a movie it has my full interest through out the whole movie unless...
Words: 588 - Pages: 3
...Running head: KODK and FUJI FILM 1 Kodak and Fuji Film BUS 302 February 2, 2013 Running head: KODAK and FUJIFILM 2 ABSTRACT Eastman Kodak Company and Fujifilm are competing corporations in the photography supply and equipment industry. When the industry changed both companies were impacted, but due to differing management practices and ability to adapt to change one Fujifilm excelled while Kodak faltered and eventually declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2012 Running head: KODAK and FUJIFILM 3 The Eastman Kodak Company, which is better known as Kodak was established in April 1880 by George Eastman in Rochester NY. The company got its start by first manufacturing dry plates for sale to various consumers. (Kodak Eastman, 2013). George Eastman was an innovator in the field of photography and was dedicated to making photography an everyday affair and was even quoted to say that he wanted to make the camera as convenient as the pencil, (Kodak Eastman, 2013) In September 2012 Kodak reorganized into three segments: Digital Printing and Enterprise (DP&E); Graphics, Entertainment, and Commercial Films (GECF); and Personalized Imaging and Document Imaging...
Words: 1655 - Pages: 7
...The Vietnam War was the longest lasting military conflict in American History. What was originally fear of communist expansion became one of America’s most expensive and strenuous efforts, consuming over fifty eight thousand American lives. As casualties increased throughout the 1960’s, so did the domestic opposition to the war. In turn, large-scale protests and a lack of trust between government and its people rose. Today many of the war’s details remain unclear; however, Hollywood has had its hand at depicting what occurred. This paper provides an analysis of the Vietnam War, as well as its depiction in the 21st century film industry. “The Deer Hunter,” “Born on the 4th of July” and “Casualties of War” are three different interpretations of the war in both foreign and domestic settings. Each film offers a different point of view, varying from social, political, and military perspectives. Following the Second World War, the French set forth an effort to regain their former colonial possession of Indo-China, which had been occupied by the Japanese throughout the war. After nearly a decade, the French were unable to establish a presence in what they called their “inheritance”, and as a result withdrew under the Geneva Accord in 1954. Meanwhile conflict within the regions of Vietnam created instability. A communist regime called the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN), headed by Ho Chi Minh obtained power of the North. In contrast Ngo Dinh Diem established an interim government that...
Words: 2039 - Pages: 9
...Grit The movie I chose to review is the 2010 remake of “True Grit.” This movie stars Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld as the main characters. Jeff Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn, Matt Damon plays LaBoeuf and Hailee Steinfeld plays Mattie Ross, Josh Brolin portrays Tom Chaney, the man who murdered Mattie’s father. In the following paragraphs of this paper the following will be discussed: when it was produced, the basic plot line, the themes address regarding the West, the accuracy and portrayal of the characters in relation to the West, the time period and historical setting, and lastly the usefulness of this movie for someone who is interested in the history of the American West. When Produced Ethan and Joel Coen (also known as ‘The Coen Brothers’) directed as well as produced the 2010 adaptation. Steven Spielberg was one of the executive producers. Since this version of “True Grit” was produced in 2010 it is written from a twenty-first century perspective. Although produced so recently, the film was based in 1880 which gives it a one hundred and thirty year gap in time. This tells one that the film had many modern influences. Basic Plot The movie opens with Proverbs 28:1a displayed on the screen, it reads, “The wicked flee when none pursueth.” A song that sounds like the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” is gently being played on the piano. It is called “The Wicked Flee” and is composed by Carter Burwell. Based on the book “True Grit,” written by...
Words: 802 - Pages: 4
...was under the reign of Adolf Hitler. Keneally, an Australian based writer was inspired to write the book by Poldek Pfefferberg, a Holocaust survivor. Published in the year 1982, the book is a remarkable piece of literature that has won many awards including the Booker Prize in 1982. Keneally began his writing career as a writer who wrote ordinary books until he met Poldek Pfefferberg, the man who encouraged him to write Schindler’s List. Pfefferberg met Keneally in one of his stores and requested him to write the book, to raise awareness relating to the Holocaust system and the misery of thousands of Jews under the Nazis. At the same time, Keneally wanted the world to know about the good deeds of one man over evil. It was later made into a film in 1992, which won many academy awards as well. Schindler’s List tells the tale of a remarkable German businessman, Oskar Schindler, who with his wealth and manipulating abilities helps save the lives of thousands of Jews from being terminated by the Nazis. Keneally takes us back to 1939 when Germany invaded Poland and occupied its territory. Their extreme hatred towards the Jews forms one of the themes of this book. The Nazi soldiers were ordered to round up the Jewish families, separate the men and the women and move them to concentration camps. Set in Krakow, Poland, the book describes the conditions of the Polish Jews in these camps and their silent despair. Keneally describes Oskar’s childhood in his hometown...
Words: 2024 - Pages: 9
...The Vietnam War was the longest lasting military conflict in American History. What was originally fear of communist expansion became one of America’s most expensive and strenuous efforts, consuming over fifty eight thousand American lives. As casualties increased throughout the 1960’s, so did the domestic opposition to the war. In turn, large-scale protests and a lack of trust between government and its people rose. Today many of the war’s details remain unclear; however, Hollywood has had its hand at depicting what occurred. This paper provides an analysis of the Vietnam War, as well as its depiction in the 21st century film industry. “The Deer Hunter,” “Born on the 4th of July” and “Casualties of War” are three different interpretations of the war in both foreign and domestic settings. Each film offers a different point of view, varying from social, political, and military perspectives. Following the Second World War, the French set forth an effort to regain their former colonial possession of Indo-China, which had been occupied by the Japanese throughout the war. After nearly a decade, the French were unable to establish a presence in what they called their “inheritance”, and as a result withdrew under the Geneva Accord in 1954. Meanwhile conflict within the regions of Vietnam created instability. A communist regime called the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN), headed by Ho Chi Minh obtained power of the North. In contrast Ngo Dinh Diem established an interim government that...
Words: 2039 - Pages: 9
...“We are all ordinary people but even an ordinary person can within their own small ways turn on a small light in a dark room.” Miep Gies A Brief Summary of the movie Freedom Writers Freedom Writers is a 1990s film which tells the story of Erin Gruwell, a novice teacher and her interaction with a group of students at Wilson High School, located in Long Beach Los Angeles. Through shared experiences and writing she helps the students to become writers themselves. In the beginning of the film, Ms. G, as she was called by her students, had difficulty establishing a connection with her students and turns to her father and husband for support. Her offers guidance, but not the support she seeks. Her husband distances himself from her work and eventually their relationship. Ms. G in turn, dedicates herself to teaching her students, leaving little time for nothing else. She takes on part-time jobs to buy books for the students and spends late nights working in the classroom. The Head of Department and the faculty at large contributes little to helping Erin in the classroom. They offer advice based on institutional standards and past performance of the students, some staff suggesting that the students simply “don’t want to learn.” At the center of the film, lie the stories of the students. The students are skeptical of Ms. G and her interest in their lives. Initially, they resist her attempts and refuse to cross the self-inflicted boundaries they have designated...
Words: 1651 - Pages: 7
