Section 1 -
1. Write an essay analyzing the ideological functions of Hollywood movies from the 1930s to the 1950s. What social and political purposes did movies serve for audiences during these years, beyond mere "entertainment"? What social messages did the movie industry convey to audiences during these decades, and how did these messages change over time?
2. Write an essay analyzing the relationship between the movie industry and TWO of the following major historical events: The Great Depression, World War II, or the emergence of the Cold War. What do we learn about these historical events from the inner workings of the film industry and the movies the industry created? Compare and contrast how Hollywood depicted and reflected each historical event.
Section 2 -
1. Write an essay analyzing the intersection of politics and popular music from the 1950s to the 1980s. Discuss three of the following genres of popular music in your essay: 1950s rock-n-roll, 1960s psychedelic rock, 1970s disco, and 1980s rap/hip-hop. Of these three genres, which posed the greatest challenge to the political status quo, and why?
2. Write an essay analyzing how popular music has reflected attitudes about sexuality from the 1950s through the 1980s. How did sexuality figure into the history of popular music during these years? What do we learn about the broader nature of sexuality in American society and culture during these years from popular music?