RHET309W

This course examines how national identity is structured and conflict is portrayed in documentary film depictions of the disputed homeland of Israel/Palestine. Through the lens fo documentary theory the course will consider of the filmmakers problems of documentary, stereotyping, nontraditional narrative structure, and docu-animation within the context of the religious, social and political tensions in the region. Subject films will range from archival footage and independent documentaries to major feature films drawn primarily from the work of Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers including Ben Dov, Leman, Schoenfeld, Sontag, Gitai, Loushy, Mograbi, Mer Khamis, Yaqubi, Shomali & Cowan, Burnat & Daviidi, Masri and Miller. The precise viewing list may vary.