We have been talking about what films teach. Maybe it has been said and I missed it, but isn't there another way to think about using films in sociology classes which sees them as "data." Many films can be seen as case studies. A good film is a good story, not necessarily a persuasive device, right? Using a film as a portrayal of an event or of experiences, gives a common base for analysis, reflection, application of theory etc. etc. As with any data source, particularly case studies, one of the issues is always how much they can be generalized. This is somewhat different from a documentary, though not really. Documentaries need to be evaluated too!
Consequently the "learning" is what emerges from the analysis and discussion, much like the learning in experiential learning. Of course as with any data, the accuracy of the data needs to be evaluated. Data which is presented with an ideological bias must always be evaluated. So then the issue becomes, is the film consistent with other data and analysis and how does it help us develop deep and holistic understanding of experience. If a film is primarily persuasive or propaganda, students need to understand that, and maybe that kind of film has limited use in a sociology class. Of course it is not that simple because the "medium is also the message" etc. etc. John Eby
