This course is an examination of the "two way street" relationship between history and popular entertainment. Much of the history we learn after our formal education ends (and sometimes before) comes from popular entertainment. We will examine both how events (largely of the 20th century) have inspired movies and stage work and how those sometimes artificial versions of history have contributed to our understanding of our world and consequently affected the development society itself. Major side issues will be the nature of "artistic freedom," the obligation of writer/directors to historical accuracy and the commercial implications of such concerns.

Mystery Writing for the Stage and Screen
Professor: J. Esche
Section: 111
Meeting times: MWR 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
1st Session-meets from 5/27/07-6/30/07

This Seminar examines the major trends and writers of the modern mystery since its foundation with three ground breaking short stories by Edgar Allan Poe in the 1840's through such writers as Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes), Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett and more recent authors who have advanced the genre through their work on page, stage and screen. We will use William L. DeAndrea's "Encyclopedia Mysteriosa" as a beginning text for background on the authors and "types" of mysteries under examination and combine readings with film treatments of some of the great mystery characters to develop an understanding of how the elements of a modern mystery are structured for effective presentation. In the final paper, students will analyze a running Broadway show (a NON-mystery) to demonstrate their understanding of the broader uses of these elements.