While students like CRASH and it is interesting to use for discussion purposes.. The film fails to address the problems of institutional racism and larger structural issues.. Students walk way using the film to suggest that everyone is a racist for example.... I would probably not use the whole film but perhaps excerpts to discuss stereotypical images.
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Sister Edith Bogue Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 12:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: TEACHSOC: Re: CRASH! CRASH was used as the "common text" for our first year students this year. Many of them seemed to like it, and they said that it gave them issues to talk about. My experience differed. I found the film lacking in two important ways. First, it seemed to deal in cliche and stereotyped characeters - the hardworking Arab shop owner, the brutal cop with a sick parent, etc. Second, it is an unrelentingly negative film. While I'm all for highlighting social problems, some of my students often ask, "is sociology always depressing?" or "why do you only show us how bad things are, and not how people do anything to change them?" I think those are valid questions from students, and prefer to show films in which the problems are visible but so are the opportunities for social action. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "A culture without oppotunities to be a star lacks meaning." from Applying Sociology, by DuBois and Wright * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sister Edith Bogue, Ph.D. / Dept. of Sociology College of St. Scholastica / Duluth MN 55811-4199 [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * >>> "John Eby" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 01/04/06 10:23 AM >>> I have not seen the film CRASH, but many students from my Race, Ethnicity and Gender class this fall highly recommended it to me and for the class in the future. So, from students who should have some sensitivity to the issues and some analytic skills to understand them, CRASH gets a good review. John Eby Messiah College [EMAIL PROTECTED] I vaguely remember a discussion several months ago about the film Crash being used in courses to illustrate issues of race and stereotypes (among other issues). I'm considering using this film in a Perspectives on Justice class and was wondering if anyone has specific ideas about incorporation, follow-up, etc. If you respond privately, I'll compile responses and post to the list. Much appreciated, ~Lisa ********** Lisa Anne Zilney, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Montclair State University Sociology & Justice Studies Dickson Hall 314 Upper Montclair, NJ, 07043 Office: 973-655-7225 Fax: 973-655-5389 The greatness of a nation and its moral progress, can be judged by the way its animals are treated. ---Mahatma Gandhi Live as if you were to die tomorrow, Learn as if you were to live forever. ---Mahatma Gandhi
