O Casamento e o Cinema: Uma HistóriaThe topic of marriage in the movies has always provided a fascinating reflection of changing social attitudes, shifting morals and gender roles. We will explore how films have defined marriage, identified seven core problems, and varied its three narrative components -- a couple, their problems, their situation -- from decade to decade from the silent to the modern era.

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Sobre o cursoFrom the beginning of motion picture history, marriage has been a topic for popular story-telling, but Hollywood struggled with a subject that presented problems an audience already knew and perhaps did not want to see as entertainment. 

How the film-making business crafted tales that were simultaneously an "I do!" of happiness and an "I don't!" of disappointment is a fascinating reflection of America's history, changing social attitudes, shifting morals and gender roles. Hollywood found ways both to reflect reality and deflect misery as decade after decade, movies adjusted a basic formula to audience needs. 

Film clips and still photographs will illustrate how films defined marriage in the movies, identified a core seven problems, and varied its three narrative components -- a couple, their problems, their situation -- from decade to decade from the silent to the modern era. 

Programa do curso5 weeks, 10 films, 22 lectures

WEEK I IntroductionLecture 1: An Overview on Marriage and the MoviesLecture 2: Hollywood and MarriageLecture 3: The Silent EraLecture 4: The Silent Era part IIFilm 1: WILD ORCHIDS (Franklin, 1929) (Warner Archive / Amazon)

Lecture 5: Defining the Marriage MovieFilm 2: MADE FOR EACH OTHER (Cromwell, 1939) (Amazon)

WEEK 2 Lecture 6: The "I Do" and "I Don't" versionsFilm 3: THE MARRYING KIND (Cukor, 1952) (Amazon)Lecture 7: Variations and Vignettes

Lecture 8: The CoupleLecture 9: The Couple part IIFilm 4: ADAM'S RIB (Cukor, 1949) (Amazon)

WEEK 3 Lecture 10: The Seven Recurring ProblemsLecture 11: Money and InfidelityFilm 5: BRIEF ENCOUNTER (Lean, 1945) (Amazon)Lecture 12: The Infidelity Story Over Time

Lecture 13: In-laws/Kids and Class/IncompatibilityLecture 14: Incompatibility continuedFilm 6: VIVACIOUS LADY (Stevens, 1938) (Warner Archive / Amazon)

WEEK 4 Lecture 15: Addiction/MurderFilm 7: SUSPICION (Hitchcock, 1941) (Amazon)

Lecture 16: The SituationLecture 17: WWII Marriage MoviesFilm 8: SINCE YOU WENT AWAY (Cromwell, 1944) (Amazon)

WEEK 5 Lecture 18: Post-WWII, TVLecture 19: Post-war continuedLecture 20: "The Modern Era" Film 9: HEARTBURN (Nichols, 1986) (Amazon)

Lecture 21: State of the Marriage Movie - "Nuclear" Marriages, Social ChangeFilm 10: THE WAR OF THE ROSES (DeVito, 1989) (Amazon)Lecture 22: Conclusions 

Assignments: Multiple-choice quizzes during/after each lecture (ungraded)Longer cumulative multiple-choice quiz at the end (graded)Online discussion opportunities 

Conhecimentos prévios recomendadosNo background is required; all are welcome! This course will particularly appeal to all ages of film aficionados! 

Leituras recomendadasAlthough the lectures are designed to be self-contained, we recommend (but do not require) that students refer to the following books:I DO AND I DON'T: A HISTORY OF MARRIAGE IN THE MOVIES by Jeanine Basinger (January 29, 2013)THE STAR MACHINE by Jeanine Basinger (Jan 6, 2009)A WOMAN'S VIEW: HOW HOLLYWOOD SPOKE TO WOMEN, 1930-1960 by Jeanine Basinger (May 15, 1995)FROM REVERENCE TO RAPE: THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN IN THE MOVIES by Molly Haskell (October 15, 1987)COMPLICATED WOMEN: SEX AND POWER IN PRE-CODE HOLLYWOOD by Mick LaSalle (December 19, 2001)PURSUITS OF HAPPINESS: THE HOLLYWOOD COMEDY OF REMARRIAGE (HARVARD FILM STUDIES) by Stanley Cavell (February 14, 1984)EMPIRE OF DREAMS: THE EPIC LIFE OF CECIL B. DEMILLE by Scott Eyman (September 7, 2010)IRVING THALBERG: BOY WONDER TO PRODUCER PRINCE by Mark A. Vieira (November 5, 2009)THE AMERICAN FILM INDUSTRY edited by Tino Balio (March 15, 1985)

Formato do cursoThis class consists of 4-5 video lectures per week; each lecture runs 15 - 30 minutes in length (approximately 1 hour total per week). These videos include spoken lecture, brief illustrative film clips and still photographs, and substantial references to the assigned films.

Students are required to see the assigned films on their own, outside of class. They are readily available on DVD and can be found at your local library or for rental via NETFLIX or a similar service. Some of them are available streaming on the internet. All are available for purchase from AMAZON or another vendor. Students are responsible for locating/obtaining the films and viewing them each week.

Short, ungraded multiple-choice quizzes will be offered during or immediately following the lectures. Students may take a longer cumulative quiz to obtain a grade at the end of the course.

FAQ

Will I get a Statement of Accomplishment after completing this class? Yes. Students who successfully complete the class will receive a Statement of Accomplishment signed by the instructor.

https://www.coursera.org/course/marriageandmovies