About The Course

The American Family and Film and Television was taught by Wende Garrison at Portland State University during winter term of 2007, spring term of 2008, and the fall terms of both 2008 and 2009.

In this course students do two things.  They become familiar with the events and mindsets of past decades (like the 1950s) through viewing films set in those decades and through viewing documentaries about those decades.  They then analyze the ways families that were on television during those decades are portrayed, giving special attention to a handful of themes like gender roles, the image of the child, sexuality, and discipline.

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