American Studies
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LAURA CLAY: VOICE OF CHANGEAmerican Studies Women's Studies Directed by Women
A biographical profile of Laura Clay (1849-1941), a key figure in the Women's Rights
Movement who devoted her life to the struggle for equal educational opportunities, child
custody rights, equal pay for equal work, and the right to vote.
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FROM MY GRANDMOTHER'S GRANDMOTHER UNTO MEAmerican History American Studies Cultural Studies Native American Studies Sociology Women's Studies
The storytelling tradition of the southern Appalachians comes to life through
actress/writer Clarinda Ross's portrayal of four generations of her maternal ancestors.
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I WITNESS: shot down in pensacolaAmerican Studies Health Religion & Spirituality Sociology Terrorism Studies Women's Studies Directed by Women
Portrays religious terrorism in Pensacola, Florida, which has become the epicenter of the
national debate over abortion, including a 1984 clinic bombing, the 1993 murder of a clinic
physician, and the 1994 murder of another clinic physician and his escort.
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SEE ME: FIVE YOUNG LATINASAmerican Studies Education Latino Studies Sociology Women's Studies Directed by Women Immigration
Five teen-aged Latinas living in San Francisco's Mission District-most of them recent
immigrants from Mexico or other Central American countries-talk frankly about their
lives, from discrimination and school , to friends and family relationships, experiences
with gang activity and violence, and plans for the future. Their comments are blended
with footage of neighborhood life and other activities to provide meaningful insights into
the everyday lives of young Hispanic women in the U.S. today.
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THE FORGOTTEN GRAVEAmerican History American Studies Sociology Women's Studies
This video tells the true story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, a 20-year-old woman who,
disguised as a man, enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. She initially worked
as a male nurse, later disguised herself as a black soldier and a woman refugee and engaged
in espionage work behind enemy lines, and fought as a soldier in battles at Antietam and
Fredericksburg, among others.
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STRIPPED AND TEASED: TALES FROM LAS VEGAS WOMENAmerican Studies Sociology Women's Studies Directed by Women
Since its earliest days, Las Vegas has depended on women. It's a city where the female
body is more an object of commerce than anywhere else in America. This video goes
behind the Showgirls mythos to tell the true story of real women who live and work in
Las Vegas, the mothers, maids, wives, casino executives and showgirls, who struggle
against the sex-object stereotype.
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HOUSING COURTAmerican Studies Criminal & Law Sociology Urban Studies Directed by Women
Examines the operations of the Bronx Housing Court which annually mediates some
125,000 disputes between tenants and landlords, including evictions, rent strikes and
housing code violations. The film also explores the social and economic causes for the
growing problem of urban housing decay.
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SQUATTERSAmerican Studies Architecture Criminal & Law Sociology Urban Studies
Tells the stories of poor people in Philadelphia who illegally take over or `squat' in
abandoned houses in order to get places to live and to change housing policy locally and
nationally. The film focuses on a 22-year-old single mother of three small children who
becomes a leader in the national squatters movement, and includes numerous interviews
with activists, real estate developers and government officials.
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WHERE CAN I LIVE?Urban Studies Sociology Criminal & Law American Studies Architecture
Examines gentrification, a process by which an underdeveloped neighborhood is
`upgraded' by real estate speculation, with higher income individuals moving into and
improving existing properties, but also displacing many of the neighborhood's longtime
residents.
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THE HEART OF LOISAIDAUrban Studies Sociology New York City Latino Studies Criminal & Law Architecture American Studies Directed by Women
Depicts the efforts of Latino residents of New York's Lower East Side who have taken
over their own buildings abandoned by landlords. Organizing themselves into Tenants'
Associations, they undertake the repair and renovation of their decaying tenements and
provide their own services.
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HOMEAmerican Studies Architecture Criminal & Law Sociology Urban Studies
Examines the plight of `squatters' in Brooklyn, NY as they try to claim buildings
abandoned by the city and to transform them into habitable dwellings.
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BOMBING L.A.Children & Young Adult Urban Studies Sociology Criminal & Law American Studies
This video on the subculture of graffiti features interviews with numerous graffiti
'artists,' follows them on "bombing" expeditions, attends a national graffiti art
conference, and records encounters between graffiti writers and adults angry about
defacement of private and public property.
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DELIVERED VACANTUrban Studies Sociology Architecture American Studies Directed by Women
Filmmaker Nora Jacobson spent eight years documenting Hoboken's
battles over gentrification, from boom in the '80s to bust in the '90s. This epic,
dramatially engrossing documentary features a real-life cast of long-time residents, newly
arrived Yuppies, tenants' organizers, real estate developers, street people, immigrants
from around the world, and local politicians.
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PASSIN' IT ON: 25 YEARS ORGANIZING THE NORTHWEST BRONXUrban Studies Sociology New York City Latino Studies American Studies African-American Studies Directed by Women
During the Sixties and early Seventies, banks, insurance companies, the City of New
York, and many landlords drew a red-line around the Bronx and abandoned its
neighborhoods. More than 12,000 fires burned each year, 300,000 people fled, and in the
South Bronx 40% of the homes were destroyed.
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IS THIS DREAMING?Sociology Political Science Peace & Conflict American Studies
Chronicles the history of arms control and disarmament negotiations since WWII,
discusses ways in which international conflicts can be most effectively resolved, and
suggests how ordinary people can influence progress towards disarmament.
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GATHERING UP AGAIN: FIESTA IN SANTA FESociology Native American Studies Latino Studies Cultural Studies American Studies Directed by Women
Examines the Santa Fe Fiesta, America's oldest continuous community celebration, which
commemorates the Spaniards' "bloodless reconquest" of the Pueblo Indians in New
Mexico in 1692.
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HOLY TERRORWomen's Studies Sociology Religion & Spirituality Political Science Criminal & Law American Studies Directed by Women
Examines the political activism of the religious New Right, focusing on their anti-abortion
efforts. Combining interviews with scenes filmed at anti-abortion conventions and
demonstrations, the video provides a revealing, inside look at the movement and its
philosophy as expressed by its leaders as well as its rank and file activists.
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STAND UP FOR CHOICE: ESCORTSWomen's Studies Sociology Political Science Criminal & Law American Studies
This remarkable, three-part video series thrusts viewers into the front lines of the
struggle over abortion rights between members of Operation Rescue, pro-choice
demonstrators, clinic staff and patients.
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CLOSING DOOR, THESociology Political Science Criminal & Law American Studies Directed by Women Immigration
Examines U.S. immigration policy, its history as well as the current crisis, and shows how
public opinion, human rights and political issues have historically influenced policy
decisions.
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SANCTUARY: A QUESTION OF CONSCIENCEAmerican Studies Criminal & Law Religion & Spirituality Sociology
Examines the Sanctuary Movement, a modern-day underground railroad in which
American citizens, supported by churches, synagogues and other organizations, transport
political refugees from Central America to places of refuge in the U.S.
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