The Trial
What does this 1962 Orson Welles film, based upon the incomplete Franz Kafka novel, tell us in its utilization of a nightmarish story? How does the illogic of transitions mimic nightmares? Do any of the characters surrounding and including protaganist Jos
1776
How does this 1972 film, based on the Second Continental Congress’ deliberations on Independence, reflect the times of its production, as well as the actual events surrounding the adoption of the Declaration? Does the effort to make the founding fathers m
Freedoms of Expression
We focus on four of the freedoms guaranteed by the 1st Amendment: Press, Petition, Assembly, and Speech. How are we to understand these freedoms both as citizens, and Naval Officers? What limitations exist to those guaranteed rights? Why is it acceptable
Historical Context
The federal government in the early days of the nation was weak and ineffective. Citizens actually rebelled against the power of the central government by taking up arms. President George Washington knew that he needed to do something. What started as a d
Chernobyl
What does this miniseries, based upon the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster and its aftermath, tell us about the contribution made to the disaster by the closed Soviet system, and its Marxist/Leninist ideology? How important was international media t
The Oath of Office
What is the genesis of an Oath of Office that we take when we join the Naval service? Where does General Washington come in and what was his impact on an Oath? What does the Constitution say about an Oath of Office? What does “well and faithfully mean”? W
Academy Architecture
How does the language of architecture reflect the culture of the Naval Academy? Why does the Yard look the way it does? How do the historic buildings and the siting of them influence the new buildings like Wesley Brown and Hopper Hall? Why is naming so im
The Steel Helmet
How does this 1951 film set during the contemporaneous Korean War explore racially connected issues in the U.S.? How does it go against type for so called “B” movies in its exploration of these issues? How does it reflect the communist world’s awareness o
Unbreakable
How does this film’s attempt at a realistic or plausible variation on the theme of superheroes work as compared with more mainstream films in that genre? How does Elijah Price’s disease, and his mother’s attempts to counter his fear, lead him to believe c
Lessons Learned
How should a junior officer get prepared to work in an international world of partnerships and alliances. How did the Academy and its Moral-Mental-Physical mission prepare this Admiral for a life in the Fleet and beyond? How does gratitude play a part? Vi