Film and Health

Course: PHE 455U-001, CRN: 62982

Instructor: Richard Lockwood, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Term: Spring 2011
Time: Wednesday 17:30 to 21:20
Place: CH 53
Phone: (503) 725-9089
Office Hours: Wednesdays 3:30-5pm and by appointment
Office: School of Community Health: URBN 470b
E-mail: Use D2L, otherwise lockwood@pdx.edu

REQUIRED TEXT:
Morgan Spurlock (2005). Don’t Eat this Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America. P. P.
Putnam’s Sons; New York.

OPTIONAL TEXTS:
Syd Field (1982) Screenplay; The Foundations of Screenwriting. A Dell Trade Paperback; New
York.
Kasdan, Saxton & Tavernetti (2002) The Critical Eye: An Introduction to Looking at Movies.
Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.; Dubuque, Iowa.

The Medium is the Message

Each medium, independent of the content it mediates, has its own intrinsic effects which are
its unique message. The message of any medium or technology is the change of scale or
pace or pattern that it introduces into human affairs. The railway did not introduce
movement or transportation or wheel or road into human society, but it accelerated and
enlarged the scale of previous human functions, creating totally new kinds of cities and new
kinds of work and leisure. This happened whether the railway functioned in a tropical or
northern environment, and is quite independent of the freight or content of the railway
medium. (Understanding Media, N. Y., 1964) What [Marshall] McLuhan writes about the
railroad applies with equal validity to the media of print, television, computers and now the
Internet. “The medium is the message” because it is the “medium that shapes and controls
the scale and form of human association and action.”
(By Dr. Eric McLuhan)
See also: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marshall_mcluhan.html

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course critically explores health topics as they are portrayed in popular films and discusses
the scientific, social, and political underpinnings as they are portrayed. The course will cover
epidemics, environmental health, and the social institutions that contribute to the production of
health. Specifically, health topics such as emerging dangerous pathogens, cancer, addiction,
AIDS, STDs, and mental health, will be discussed from both biomedical and social perspectives.
The health issues portrayed in the feature films will be discussed in class in order to allow
students to evaluate the accuracy and purpose of the thematic messages presented in film.
The medium of film will be discussed for its methodological contribution to the communication
of health messages, especially as social marketing. The epistemological dynamics will be
analyzed, drawing attention to both the form and the content and their interrelationship. The
convergence of setting, plot, narrative and character will be taken into consideration regarding
the treatment of scientific points.

CLUSTER INTEGRATION:
This course in integral to the Healthy People, Healthy Places Cluster, because it draws on
topics relating to health and environment. It is also integrated into the Popular Culture Cluster
because it uses popular movies to educate students about public health problems. Health effects
from technological advances such as, energy production, manufacturing and information
technology will be discussed along with ethical dilemmas, which makes it appropriate for the
Freedom/Privacy/Technology and Morality Clusters. This course also addresses several
Environmental Sustainability Cluster topics such as the impact of environmental degradation
on human health and thus illustrates why environmental sustainability is important.

D2L:
Course materials and correspondence will be found online within the D2L environment. Course
content (reading, web sites, etc.) will be posted on a weekly basis. Students need to have access
to D2L within the first week of class. Be sure to apply for an account immediately since it might
take 48h to be activated. Apply through http://www.account.pdx.edu

EVALUATION:

Midterm Exam 15%

Final Exam 15%
Quick Critiques 25%
Draft Screen Play 10%
Screen Play 25%
Attendance 10%

1.) Midterm and Final Exams (15% each)

Evaluation will include two in-class exams. The midterm will be multiple choice format. Bring
a Scantron Form 882 ES and a No. 2 pencil. The final exam will be essay format. The exams
will focus on the lexicon developed throughout the term. Exams will cover the health topics
discussed in class, points from the movies screened in class, the assigned reading from the Web,
and the assigned reading from the class texts. Students are required to complete the exams in
class. Makeup exams must be completed within the following week, scheduled at the
convenience of the professor. It is the student’s responsibility to avail themselves for this exam
time.

2.) Screenplay (25%)

Students will form groups for collaboration on writing a screenplay about a health problem of
local, national, or international importance. This task requires students to imagine themselves in
the creative act of social marketing. You have been given the task of writing a storyline that
illustrates a health issue and raises awareness through the popularity of film. The issue can be
approached from a public health, biomedical, racial/ethnic, gender, ethical, societal, policy,
scientific, environmental, or simply human standpoint as long as the story works. However, the
health topic has to be grounded on a sound and accurate scientific foundation. You are expected
to demonstrate that you have researched the health issue and that you are knowledgeable about
it. You will provide your references at the end of the document. However, there is artistic
freedom to create a story line that fits the screen. Students are encouraged to use the D2L
Discussion Board to facilitate group communication about your health topic and story line.

The Screenplay assignment must use a standard screenplay format by using the program
CELTX , found at http://celtx.com . Groups will produce an early draft to be shared for
constructive suggestions from another group in the class (worth 10% of final grade). The final
paper will be graded based on the accuracy and depth of the health issue covered (10 pts);
incorporation of demographic and social location concepts (gender, race, class and sexuality, etc)
(10 pts); formatting and clarity of writing (10 pts); and references (10 pts). The paper is due on
June 1, 2011 at 17:30. Late papers will be marked down one (1) letter grade per day.

3.) Quick Critiques (25%)

Quick Critiques are structured reaction papers to be completed after each film. The purpose is to
dedicate time specifically to the integration of course concepts into an active interpretation of the
film. Information from the weekly web sites, readings and/or “FYI” listings should be integrated
into your paper. The papers will have three subheadings – Positive Aspects, Interesting Aspects
& Negative Aspects (PIN). Each section should cite an example from the film within your
commentary. Papers will be single-spaced, with 1” margins, at least 1.5 pages, and 12 point
standard font, variations will be penalized. Critiques are due by 17:30; at the start of each class
meeting. Critiques will NOT be accepted over email – you must turn in a printed version and
either bring it to class or drop it in the professor’s mailbox on the due date. Failure to follow
format guidelines and/or late critiques will result in penalties (half credit).

4.) Attendance and active participation in class discussions (10%)

To reinforce the importance of the themes of the class, students are expected to watch the movies
together, in class. This promotes a group-level understanding of the lessons conveyed by each
film. Attendance may be taken at the beginning, during, or end of class. Students will prepare
for class by reading all background reading (e.g. web sites) assigned for the day as well as the
assigned chapter from the texts.

CLASSROOM POLICIES:
To promote a learning environment that fosters attention and participation, please observe the
following classroom policies
• If you have special needs, register with Disability Services and then let me know
• Silence cell phones. Use cell phones as flashlights for note-taking in the dark theater
• Refrain from eating aromatic food
• Use laptops for note-taking only, other uses are distracting to those around you. Please
dim your screens (see function keys)
• Limit tardiness and early departures
• Respect your peers
• Leave the room cleaner than you found it
_________________________________________________________

CLASS SCHEDULE – Spring 2011; Wednesdays 17:30 to 21:30

Mar. 30 Introduction to Film and Health: Media, Spin and Politics

Reading: Spurlock: Chapters 1&2 Wallack “What is Public Health?”
Optional Reading: Field, Chapters 1
Web research: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/
adult_data/adult_cig_smoking.htm
Film: Thank You for Smoking (92 min)
FYI: Manufacturing Consent, Casino Jack and the United States of Money

April. 6 Toxic Exposures and Environmental Health

Reading: Spurlock; Chapter 3&4
Web research: http://archive.salon.com/ent/feature/2000/04/14/sharp/index.html?pn=5
Film: Erin Brockovich (130 min)
FYI: Darwin’s Nightmare, Who Killed the Electric Car?

April 13 The Documentary Format

Reading: Grier & Bryant (2005) “Social Marketing in Public Health”
Web research: http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/checkup/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundamerica/view/?
utm_campaign=viewpage&utm_medium=grid&utm_source=grid
http://www.photovoice.org
Film: SiCKO (123 min) View on YouTube.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7pCaK0aASE&feature=related
FYI: John Q

April 20 Globalization and Pharma

Reading: Spurlock; Chapter 5&6
Web research: www.centerwatch.com see CW World;
http://www.kff.org/rxdrugs/upload/Follow-The-Pill-Understanding-the-U-
S-Commercial-Pharmaceutical-Supply-Chain-Report.pdf
http://www.jnjpharmarnd.com/jnjpharmarnd/rx-search.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/vioxx-trial
Film: The Constant Gardener (128 min)
FYI: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/other/
April 27 Naming AIDS and Epidemiology
Reading: Spurlock; Chapter 7&8
Web research: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/facts.htm
Film: And the Band Played On (141 min)
FYI: 3 Needles, 28 Days Later, Resident Evil, Outbreak, The Andromeda Strain
(1971)

May 4 In-class Midterm Exam

Mental Illness
Reading: Spurlock; Chapter 9&10
Web research: http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/
Screenplay: http://celtx.com (format)
Film: A Beautiful Mind (135 min)
FYI: Harvey, One Flew Over the Coo-Coo’s Nest

May 11 The Business of Health Care

Reading: Spurlock; Chapter 13&14
Web research: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/82/9/feature0904/en/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/organfarm/business/
Film: Coma (135 min)
FYI: The Doctor

May 18 Health Effects of War: The Allegory

Reading: Spurlock; Chapter 15&16
Web research: www.psr.org & www.msf.org
Film: Godzilla (98 min)
FYI: Hotel Rwanda, Beyond the Gates, Apocalypse Africa

May 25 Draft due for in-class critique

Genetics and Morality
Reading Spurlock; Appendix 2&3
Web research: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/325/7367/733
Film: My Sister’s Keeper (109 min)
FYI: GATTACA

June 1 Screen Play Due

Obesity Epidemic
Reading Spurlock; Appendix 2&3
Web research: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity
Film: Supersize Me (100 min)
FYI: The Future of Food, Food, Inc. King Corn

June 8 Final Exam – Occurs during regular class time.