HIS 131: American History I

Assignment

1.  Each paper should be a minimum of two double-spaced, typed pages in length in a 12 point font.
2.  For each paper the students should watch a Hollywood film based on an historical event. (Titles will be provided via handout.)
3.  Then find other sources that discuss the topic of the film. The student might look at books, internet sites, movie reviews, and TV programs. Internet sites will probably be most helpful.
4.  The paper should be a contrast of what the facts are verses how Hollywood portrays them in the film. Do not focus on artistic elements of the film or artistic reviews. Focus on historical accuracy.
   1. Identify the main character(s) in the film and research if those people actually existed. If they are real historical people, are they portrayed accurately? If they are not real historical people, what is the film trying to say based on the characters they present?
   2. Also identify the main events portrayed in the film. Are these portrayed accurately according to the known history?
   3. Are the cloths, implements, weapons, armor, machines and terminology portrayed accurately in the film?
   4. Also pay attention to things that happen in the background. Sometimes some main elements of the film may be historically incorrect but events that are tangential or in the background are correctly portrayed.
5. The student should use proper in-text citation format (i.e. footnotes, endnotes or parenthetical notes) and include a complete Works Cited with paper. APA or MLA formats are accepted.
6. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
7. Failure to use proper citation or documentation (footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical notes) may result in a grade of F!

For instructions on how to create APA 7th edition citations, please see the APA Citations page.