I have not read any papers on this, but I do follow a blog that might be useful for your work. The Sociological Cinema is a good resource. It is filled with ideas of how to use film in the classroom. And it is maintained by sociology instructors. [http://www.thesociologicalcinema.com/]

Hi Yakov

I can't think of any specific papers offhand, but I know that 12 films spring to mind:

(1) Green Card (with Gerard Depardieu, and actually, directed by an Australian)

(2) Leningrad Cowboys Go America

(3) ET - The Extra-Terrestrial. (especially for - the scene where the kids teach an alien important aspects of world/American culture, like: Coca-Cola, etc)

(4) Crocodile Dundee (an Australian goes to America; humorous culture shock)

(5) Three Kings (some `dark sides' of American culture... see especially the scene about "What is wrong with Michael Jackson?")

(6) Most films by - or starring - John Wayne (eg The Searchers, The Cowboys, etc)

(7) Full Metal Jacket (Kubrick)

(8) American Psycho (a hilarious and very dark satire on Wall St/American materialism)

(9) Fight Club (a challenge to American materialist values)

(10) Saving Private Ryan (for: American patriotism)

(11) American Graffiti (American nostalgia, car culture, 60's music, etc)

(12) The Blues Brothers

Potentially, any of the `fish out of water' films, I suppose - where a character comes to America, from elsewhere. (e.g. - even perhaps `Coming To America' perhaps - ie with Eddie Murphy). Also I suppose anything by Oliver Stone (eg JFK, Platoon, Wall St, Wall St 2: Money Never Sleeps, etc)

- None of these have a strong Czech connection - but - they all seem relevant to aspects of American culture.... either in positive, or negative ways. Or sometimes both.

Also - any of the American films here are also illuminating:

http://storyality.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/83/

Hope this helps somehow,

Best

JT

Actually, also `The Birth of a Nation' and `Gone With The Wind' too, I suppose.

Thanks JT. Those seem like good possibilities.

All best,

Yakov