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Course Description

This course is a discussion of films known as “gangster” films. Most of us are familiar with this genre (e.g. Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather, American Gangster), and, as I have discovered researching the genre, the gangster film has a surprising history. As Ron Wilson puts it in the introduction of his book (see the heading) “the word ‘gangster’ is clearly a derogatory term” that signifies “…a type of strong arm behavior that would become common place in turn-of-the-century American politics.” Wilson also locates the gangster genre not in classic literature (e.g. Frankenstein) but in the headlines of newspapers and “true-crime narratives.” Out of all of this, Wilson argues that the gangster genre develops along with American culture. In this eight-week course, we will read Wilson’s short book on gangster films and view at least eight gangster films, one or more a week, for discussion in class. Join us on Tuesday evenings for the entertainment, interaction, and engagement in an interesting part of American culture.

Course Syllabus

Notes

Online registration deadline: Thursday, June 16 at 5 pm CT

Remote courses require you to login to Canvas to access the Zoom Classroom. You will receive an invitation to join Canvas about a week before your course begins. Please visit the Liberal Arts Student Resources page to find step by step instructions for Canvas and Zoom: Online Learning Resources

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