The War in the Pacific through Film

AMH 3930 Tuesday 4:00-7:00 BEL 20 Fall 2016Instructor: Jake Rogers Office BEL 9 Hours by appointment only.

Dept. Phone (850)644-5888 E-Mail jnr12d@my.fsu.edu

The War in the Pacific through Film

AMH 3930 Tuesday 4:00-7:00 BEL 20 Fall 2016Instructor: Jake Rogers Office BEL 9 Hours by appointment only.

Dept. Phone (850)644-5888 E-Mail jnr12d@my.fsu.edu

Course Description

This Course will examine World War II in the Pacific, the brutal war against Japan from 1941-1945 has left some of the most indelible marks in America history. From the visceral savagery of combat, which has contributed some of the most infamous battles in military history, to the home front and the Hollywood War effort films, which brought about major change to American society. The use of film will serve a vital role in illustrating the primary objectives of this course. Film will help ascertain historical events and provide visual support in understanding the military history of the war.

The Hollywood war effort films of the 1940s give us an interesting take on the war, and the American society. A focal point of this class will be to study the War in the Pacific through the lens of how the American public saw it at the time. Films made during World War II provide an excellent study of American culture and ideology during the Second World War. All films have themes that reveal the values of the generation in which it was made. This course will focuses on the themes of the films and how they have evolved in American memory.

The War in the Pacific showcased a warrior elite in the United States Marine Corps a major focus of this class will be on the mentality and ethos of this warrior elite. This class will illustrate how the legacy of the Marine Corps was redefined by the War in the Pacific.

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to have an in-depth understanding of the aspects of the War in the Pacific.

Students will be able to identify key themes and meanings of the Hollywood War effort during World War II, and how each generation has evolved these themes over the years.

Students will be given an opportunity to construct a historical interpretation of the major objectives in this course, the themes, and messages of war films, the culture, and ethics of the 1940s, military case study of key battles of the War in the Pacific, and what exemplifies a warrior ethos.

Course Assignments:

It is not required that students have existing credits in American history to take this class. Class attendance and participation is a must and counts for 10% of the total grade. 12 films will be viewed in class and it is necessary for students to analyze the films and not just watch them for entertainment value alone.

The course will consist of two tests, a mid-term and a final that are worth 20% each. They will include true or false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short essay questions.

It is impossible to watch or read all the films and books on this topic. It pains me greatly that there are so many good films that I will not be able to show in class because of time constraints. So I have created incentives for the student to conduct further analysis of the war on their own. Since film and the 1940s are the focal point of this course, extra credit will be given to additional films that are viewed by the student on their own time. In addition, personal memoirs of Service members that served in the War in the Pacific will be considered for extra credit as a primary sources. A list of films that are on the extra credit list will be posted to Blackboard and a questionnaire will be provided for the student to fill out to receive credit.

I have assigned three books for this class that will support the student’s research in this course.

1. With the Old Breed by E.B. Sledge2. Strong Men Armed by Robert Leckie3. The Hollywood Propaganda of World War II by Robert Fyne

These books will prove invaluable in conducting your research for the two papers.

Students will be required to write two, 1500 word (five pages) essay, double spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point font in Chicago Style, These two essays, are worth 25% of your total grade each.

1st Paper due on week 7, October 11th the topics choices are:

a. What are the most common themes in a war promotional film and why?

b. What was in your opinion the most important battle/event of the Pacific War and why?

c. How have films on World War II changed over the years?

d. Choose a film about World War II in the Pacific research and argue the historical accuracy and themes of the film.

2nd paper due on week 15, December, 6. Some of the topics are available for both papers, you may not select the same topic twice. Final paper topics:

a. What was in your opinion the most important battle/event of the Pacific War and why?

b. What are, in your opinion, the differences in culture from the primary sources to the culture of today?

c. Choose a film about World War II in the Pacific, research and argue the historical accuracy and themes of the film?

d. What is propaganda? Compare and contrast films of the World War II era to films of today for agendas.

e. What creates a warrior elite?

Late work policy: Responsibility it the most important life lesson anyone can ever learn. With that said, it is not that I will not be sympathetic to your reasons for late work but, that I must stand by the principle of responsibility. You, and you alone are responsible for your own actions and time management to accept late work would compromise one of the most essential qualities necessary for successful adult, therefore I will not accept any late work.

The Grading breakdown

TestingMid-term test 20 points = 20%Mid-term paper 25 points = 25%Final test 20 points = 20%

Final Paper 25 points = 25%Attendance and participation 10 points = 10%

Attendance and Professionalism: As future professionals, you will attend every class, except in the case of documented illness, legitimate family emergency, death in the family, religious observance, sports meets, active military duty, jury duty, or sponsored FSU activity (Note: a note/email from your doctor, nurse, counselor, FSU faculty, or coach is mandatory). For a religious observance, you must notify me in advance. More than one unexcused absences will result in an F for participation and attendance. Cell phones are on silent mode in class, with no texting. The classroom environment is one in which we learn and feel comfortable sharing and discussing our ideas while committing to the work necessary to improve our critical thinking skills and acquiring new information. All ideas are welcome, with respect shown to everyone’s opinions.

Plagiarism Policy: If you turn in work that is not your own, you will receive an F for that assignment, and possibly, the course. I will go over how to cite materials properly in class and will steer you towards the proper resources for additional help. Students are responsible for reading Florida State University's Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to “…be honest and truthful and… [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University.” (Please refer to FSU’s Academic Honor Policy at http://facultyhandbook.fsu.edu/Appendix-A-Florida-State-University-Academic-Honor-Policy for more details).

Disability Support: The mission of the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) is to create an accepting, accessible community where people's abilities and disabilities are honored as part of the human experience. FSU strives to provide individuals with the tools by which they can better accomplish their educational goals. Any student with a documented learning, physical, chronic health, psychological, visual or hearing disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to SDRC and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible.  All discussions will remain confidential.  SDRC is located in the Student Services Building, Room 108, on 97 Woodward Avenue South. For more information about SDRC's disability support services, please call (850) 644-9566 (voice) or

(850) 644-8504 (TDD), or email at sdrc@admin.fsu.edu. You must let me as well as SDRC know if you need Disability Support so that we can assist you with the proper resources. For more information, please see http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/

Additional Resources:

Writing Lab: Your history professor is not a writing instructor!!! For additional help to improve your writing skills, please visit the Reading Writing Center at http://wr.english.fsu.edu/Reading-Writing-Center. They offer private one-on-one tutorials for all students in reading texts and writing papers. Their staff includes graduate and undergraduate FSU students who will give you feedback on your papers and help teach you how to correct and improve your work while providing you with the encouragement and tools you need to be successful throughout the writing process. You can schedule appointments online 24/7 through fsu.mywonline.com.

Academic/Personal Issues: If you endure a hardship during the semester that prevents you from completing the required assignments of this class or others, you should contact the Dean of Students by email at deanofstudents@admin.fsu.edu; in person from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Fourth Floor of the University Center Building A, Suite 4300, Mail Code: 2440; or by phone (850) 644-2428; FAX (850) 644-0687.

The University Counseling Center also provides free and confidential advice from trained professionals at 201 SLB, Askew Student Life Building, 942 Learning Way; Phone: (850) 644-2003; http://counseling.fsu.edu/.

The War in the Pacific thru Film Grading Criteria

Each Paper can earn a score from 0-25 pointsExcellent 5 Points

Very Good 4 Points

Good 3 Points

Fair 1 Points

Poor 0 Points

Grammar & Spelling

Essay has little to no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.

Essay has only a few mistakes in grammar or spelling.

Most pages have at least one mistake in basic grammar or spelling.

Most paragraphs have at least one mistake in basic grammar or spelling

Would have been better to have used the "dog ate my paper" routine.

Organization

Exceptionally well organized in a logical progression.

Very well organized with topic points in a logical progression.

Most of the essay was organized and could follow the progression moderately well.

Somewhat confusing, but could fairly understand the progression.

"Organization, what's That?"

ContentShows a complete masterly of the topic.

Paper shows that the student has a strong understanding of the content.

Content is good and argued well, but is pulled from a limited number of sources.

Content shows a limited knowledge of the subject and has a few historical inaccuracies.

Student has clearly been getting plenty of sleep during class period. Shows no knowledge of class lectures.

Themes & Sources

Essay brilliantly connects the themes of the class to their work.Sources show that their topic is thoroughly researched and cited.

Essay makes good use of the themes used in the class to their work.Sources show that their topic is well researched and well cited.

Essay makes an effective use of the themes used in the class to their work.Sources show that their topic is effectively researched and cited.

Essay makes limited connection to the themes used in the class to their work.Sources show that their topic is minimally researched and cited.

Essay makes no effort to connect the themes used in the class."Sources, you mean Wikipedia?"

Thesis & Argument

Makes a brilliant argument with an excellent thesis.Illustrating critical thinking, while using vivid examples to support the argument.

Has a strong thesis, and argument that illustrates critical thinking.Makes good use of examples to supports the argument well.

Makes an effective thesis, and argument that illustrates critical thinking and uses examples that effectively supports the argument.

Makes a fair thesis, and argument that should have been better developed. Uses poor examples to support the argument.

No thesis, and a poor argument that illustrates a lack of critical thinking

Total of 25 Points

Grading for the mid-term test

This test will be worth 20 points, and will have a total of 28 questions. The test will contain 4 true or false questions worth ½ point each. 16 multiple choice questions worth ½ points for each question. There will be 4 fill-in-the blank questions with a ½ point for each question. Students will have a choice of essay questions. Students will select four of the seven essay questions worth 2 points each.

Grading for the final test

This test will be worth 20 points, and will have a total of 25 questions. The test will contain four true or false questions worth ½ point each. 12 multiple choice questions worth ½ point for each question. 4 fill

in the blank questions worth a ½ point for each question. Students will have a choice of essay questions. Students will select 5 of the 11 essay questions worth 2 points each

Week 1            August 30, 2018 Tuesday Intro to the course    Pre-War America (1931-1941)     “Hollywood declares war.” Film for the week:   Sergeant York             132m     1941Lecture topics: Intro to film history, the themes of the American war effort film,  Presentism, social Darwinism and the need for materials, and American isolationism.  America Goes to War, Warner Brothers declares war.   Why primary source films matter.  OWI and Jack L. Warner.

Additional films for extra credit: The Sea Hawk, They Died with Their Boots On, To the Shores of Tripoli The mortal Strom Confessions of a Nazis Spy, The Great Dictator, A Yank in the RAF, They Met in Bombay. 

Read: Thomas Doherty's Projections of War Chapter 3 Production Codes Additional Sources: on Japan read: Ian Toll's Pacific Crucible chapter 3 Additional reading on Sergeant York read: Moral Justification through Metaphoric Idealism.

Themes and questions: Are we at war, Patriotism, American exceptionalism, Heroism, Moral dilemma, the American Dream, idealism, Faith Values. And what war is this film really talking about?

Week 2 September, 6    Japanese Aggression, December 7th 1940-41 “The Noble Sacrifice.” film of the week: Wake Island                1942       89 m     Lecture topics: The Reasons for War, Forced to War, Stabbed in the back. The evil enemy, The fall of Singapore, Why films are different, Social Darwinism continued, Wake Island, The Battle for the Philippines, Douglas MacArthur, The Bataan Death March, the reality of fear.

Additional films for extra credit   They Were Expendable, Tora, Tora, Tora, From Here to Eternity, Pearl Harbor, Bataan, Wake Island, Salute to the Marines, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, The Purple Heart. So Proudly we Hail, In Harms Way, Back to Bataan, MacArthur.

Read: Robert Fyne, The Hollywood Propaganda Of World War II Ch3 Remember Pearl Harbor

additional sources Thomas Doherty Projections of War Ch6The Old Breed Chapter 1 Ian Toll's Pacific Crucible chapter 3

Themes and questions: Noble sacrifice, faith, roughnecks or leathernecks? Who is watching these films? the reality of fear.

Week 3                                 September, 13   The Navy Holds (1942)  “The New Era in Naval Warfare”       Film for the week:                      Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo  1944       132mLecture topics: The Battle of Coral Sea, The Holding effort, The Doolittle Raid, The Battle of Midway. Carrier warfare. The British Navy. Japan’s conquest, and imperial navy. Chester Nimitz and the U.S. Navy.

Additional films for extra creditA Wing and A Prayer, Midway, They Were Expendable, The Purple Heart, The Fighting Sullivan’s, Destination Tokyo, In Harm’s Way, Run Silent, Run deep, Up Periscope, Torpedo Run.

Read: Ian Toll Pacific Crucible chapter 3

Additional sources

The Old Breed

The Hollywood Propaganda of World War II

Themes and questions: The faithful lover, our allies, China, Third phase of film, The American Dream, The change in warfare.

Week 4                               September, 20The Message of Hope. (1941-1942)   “An American Avenger.” “The Old Breed” 

     Salute to the Marines   1943       101m  & John Ford’s Battle of Midway Lecture topics:  The Old Breed, the Avenger, Strong Men Armed, loved ones in harm’s way,

a need for hope, why these films are different, stereo types and the role of hate in the war effort.

Additional films for extra creditBataan, Wake Island, They Were Expendable, Somewhere I’ll Find You, China. Desperate Journey, Flying Tigers, The fighting Seabees.

Read: Robert Fyne, Chapter 7  Engene Sledge The Old Breed Chapter 2-3Ladd, Dean Faithful Warriors

Themes and questions: The New Marine Corps, what is meant by “yes this really happened?” The Hero in the dust, the need for comedy, Hope, An American Avenger. What do the roles suggest in the film?

Week 5                                 September, 27 The Battle of Guadalcanal 1942-43) “First to Fight” the Great Gamble. Gung Ho  1943 93m

Lecture topics:  The eyes of the World Are on Guadalcanal, The Stage is set, All alone, the environmental problems, concepts of war, adapting. Battle study of Edson’s Ridge, and Bloody Ridge. John Basilone, Chesty Puller, Mike Edson, Bull Halsey. 

Additional films for extra creditPride of the Marines, First to Fight. The Thin Red Line. Objective Burma, Air Force, China, Sahara. Bataan, Back to Bataan.

Read: Strong Men Armed Chapter 1 pages 1-80

Themes and questions: What Makes a Warrior? The mentality of a grunt, The role of Hate, faith, love, was the center of gravity lost at Guadalcanal.

Week 6                                 October, 4The War promotional effort (1941-1946)   “Values worth making sacrifices for” Casablanca 1943       108m                   Lecture topics:  Why this film is the quintessential war promotional effort film, The Hollywood thesis, The themes of war effort films the call for intervention.               

Additional films for extra credit The More the Merrier, Four Jills in a Jeep, This is the Army, Thank your lucky Stars, Hollywood Canteen, Two Girls and a Sailor, Week-end at the

Waldorf Since You Went Away, I’ll Be seeing you, Saboteur, See Here, Private Hargrove, The Human Comedy, The Thrill of Romance.

Read: Strong Men Armed chapter 1 pages 80-130Additional sources The Hollywood Goes to War Chapter 3 Will this picture help us win the warThemes and questions: self-sacrifice, moral courage, idealism, cultural norms, a city on a hill. Symbolism.  

                    

Week 7              October, 11  The Home front               (1941-1945)       “Faith and American virtue”The Human Comedy            1943       116m

Lecture topics:  Rosie The Riveter, WOW, minorities during World War II, music of the 1940s, rationing, war bonds, material drives, industrial might, faith and America, for the troops.  

Additional films for extra creditSince You Went Away,The More the Merrier, Four Jills in a Jeep, This is the Army, Thank your lucky Stars, Hollywood Canteen, Two Girls and a Sailor, Week-end at the Waldorf Since You Went Away, I’ll Be seeing you, Saboteur, See Here, Private Hargrove, The Human Comedy, The Thrill of Romance.

Read: Thomas Doherty Chapter 7 Women without menRobert Fyne chapter 6 Folks left behindHollywood goes to war chapter 4 homefront

Themes and questions: The role of faith in the War effort films.

1st Paper Due topics: a. What are the most common themes in a war promotional film and why?

b. What was in your opinion the most important battle/event of the Pacific War and why?c. How have films on World War II changed over the years?d. Choose a film about World War II in the Pacific research and argue the historical accuracy   and themes of the film

Week 8                 October, 18             Test Med-term The Home front continued: The Changing roles of women. 

  Film for the week:         Since You Went Away  1944   252 min.This week there will be no lecture the intent is for you to maxims your time for the med-term. The Film should serve as a review of the U.S. home front since this is the three film dealing with the home front the themes should be easily ascertain.

Lecture topics:  Rosie The Riveter, WOW, minorities during World War II, music of the 1940s, rationing, war bonds, material drives, industrial might, faith and America, for the troops.  Additional films for extra creditThe More the Merrier, Four Jills in a Jeep, This is the Army, Thank your lucky Stars, Hollywood Canteen, Two Girls and a Sailor, Week-end at the Waldorf, I’ll Be seeing you, Saboteur, See Here, Private Hargrove, The Thrill of Romance.Read: Since you went away additional sources for American Americans in World War II read Thomas Doherty chapter 9 the Negro SoldierThemes and questions: The role of faith in the War effort films.

Week 9                 October, 25The Onslaught: The Central and Southern Campaigns (1943-44) “Horrors of War.”Destination Tokyo 1944 135 minsDocumentary With the Marines At Tarawa 22 min

Lecture topics:  The Battle of Tarawa, The effects of the Home front, The Coral Reefs, The battles of (43-44) Campaign. General Douglas MacArthur, The Solomon’s Campaign, the New Guinea Campaign, The Central Campaign.

Read: Strong Men Armed part 2 133-270

Themes and questions: was it morally right to suppress the graphic imagines? What effect would it have had on the home front? What film cannot convey.

Additional films for extra credit: The Pacific, Battle Cry and Back to Bataan, Tarawa Beachhead, Hell to Eternity, In Love and War,, First to Fight, Battle Cry, Flag of our fathers.

Week 10                               November, 1The Battle of Saipan (1944-1945)   “The American Juggernaut”First to Fight 1967 101 min

Lecture topics:  Saipan, The Marianas, Guam, “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot,” conflict: Army vs. Marines. Combined arms.

Additional films for extra credit: Battle Cry, In Love and War, Hell To Eternity, MacArthur.

Read: Strong Men Armed p 309-388

Themes and questions: Courage, humanity, and savagery.

Week 11                                November, 8  Return to the Philippines ( 1944-1945) “I Shall Return”MacArthur 1977     170min Lecture Topics: the decision, the waist, the Battle of Peleliu, The Battle for Manila The Battle of Leyte Gulf. 

Additional films for extra credit: Battle Cry, In Love and War, Hell To Eternity, MacArthur, Back to Bataan.

Read: continue reading With the Old BreedThemes and questions: tactical evaluation. Military strategy.   

Week 12               November, 15 The Legacy of the Marine Corps (1942-1948) “John Wayne Marine”Sands of Iwo Jima 1948       106m

Lecture Topics: The Battle of Iwo Jima, The Kamikaze. The Flag raising, Iconic imagery.

Read: Strong Men Armed p 425-475 

Themes and questions: John M. Stryker, A Marine Rifle Squad, the New Marine Corps, the Old Breed, sacrifice.

Week 13               November, 22   Thanksgiving break The Battle of Okinawa (1945)  “The final push”Lecture Topics:  The Battle of Okinawa, The War in China, the forgotten War, Russia comes in.Additional films for extra credit: The Pacific, Objective Burma, Merles Marauders. Flag of our fathers.

The war in Burma and China (1941-46) “The forgotten war”Objective Burma               1945                       132mLecture Topics: the A- Bomb, the new face of war, the horror of war, Russian invasion of Manchuria, the Burma Road, the Flying Tigers, the new threat of communism, Merrill’s Marauders. 

 Read: Ladd, Dean Faithful Warriors

With the Old Breed

Additional films for extra credit: The Pacific, Merles Marauders. Bridge over the River Kwai, Heaven Knows Mr. Allison, Above and beyond, The Pacific, In Harm’s Way.Themes and questions: moral courage, no superheroes.War without mercy, realism.

Week 14               November, 29  The Price of Freedom, and preparing the Home front (1941-1950)The Pride of the Marines                    1945       116m

Lecture Topics: post-war legacy, PTSD, the bomb, the occupation the role of women in war films.  

Additional films for extra credit: , The Pacific, Merles Marauders. Bridge over the River Kwai, Heaven Knows Mr. Allison, Above and beyond, The Pacific, In Harm’s Way.

Read: With the Old Breed

Themes and questions: an uncertain future, faithful lovers, the need for “nothing to change,” disconnect, lost, fear, harsh reality, Idealism and the G.I. Bill

Week 15               December, 6      Last Day of Class“Coming Home”                                         The Best Years of Our lives                   1946   172 minLecture Topics: post-war legacy, PTSD, the bomb, the occupation the role of women in war films.  

Additional films for extra credit: The Pacific, Merles Marauders. Bridge over the River Kwai, Heaven Knows Mr. Allison, Above and beyond, The Pacific, In Harm’s Way.

Read: With the Old Breed the final two chapters in the bookRobert Fyne summary 

Themes and questions: an uncertain future, faithful lovers, the need for “nothing to change,” disconnect, lost, fear, harsh reality, Idealism and the G.I. Bill

Final Paper Duea. What was in your opinion the most important battle/event of the Pacific War and why?b. What are, in your opinion, the differences in culture from the primary sources to the culture of today?c. Choose a film about World War II in the Pacific, research and argue the historical accuracy   and themes of the film?d. What is propaganda? Compare and contrast films of the World War II era to films of today for agendas.e. What creates a warrior elite? 

Finals Week       December, 13 Final Exam