TEACHSOC: Re: Films and learning

[chris salituro]

I think movies can provide excellent discussion and can act as case studies for students to digest and discuss what we are learning in class.  This provides a common experience that we call engage in.  For example: I have used A Bronx Tale to discuss groups and social structure and the major theories of sociology.   Here are some sample discussion questions: For Socialization: Use your notes on socialization and from the movie to show evidence whether humans are really free to make their own decisions or not.  Take into account nature, nurture and what makes humans special. Discuss the “other agents of socialization” from  your notes.   How do these agents affect Collogero?  Does the movie support what the book says about each agent?  Explain. Why is Mario so hateful/racist?  Trace the development of hate in the movie - it ends with the destruction of Mario and Collogero’s other friends, where does it begin? How does school play a role in the socialization of the different groups? For Groups and Social Structure: Bronx Tale 1A:  Collogero’s Master Status What groups is Collogero a part of? Why does Collogero say "No" when the policeman asked him if Sonny was the guy with the gun? How do these groups affect his decision to say no? Which group, do you think had the biggest impact on Collogero's decision?  Bronx Tale 1B:  Social Institutions Identify a social institution that is present in the movie and what role does it play in the movie?  How are these similar or different to the role that the same social institution plays in your hometown? Bronx Tale 1C:  Collogero’s Roles Discuss the role that Collogero has in one of the groups.  Remember that a role, to the sociologist, is the rights and obligations of belonging to the group.  In other words, what does Collogero get by belonging to the group, and what is expected of him?  Identify how Collogero experiences both role strain and role conflict.   Bronx Tale 1D:  Collogero’s Statuses What statuses does Collogero have that are achieved and which ones are ascribed?  Explain why each one is categorized that way.  Describe the role that Collogero has to play with each status.  What do you think his master status is at the end of the movie?  Does it change from the beginning of the movie to the end. I have also used Bowling for Columbine, People Like Us, Tuesdays With Morrie, and Crash. On Sep 14, 2006, at 12:23 PM, Del Thomas Ph D wrote: We have the deer hunter, Apocalypse Now,  Cuckoo's nest......many more.   Yet none seem to have an impact. Maybe American Idol doesn't either... has anyone tested the impact of  any film in a classroom? What is learned from films? The other day I listened to a 10 year old.... I looked at the dollar  bill he said.  there is was in god we trust.  He continued to explain that the trouble we are in now  is because we do not follow that simple message.......  that statement is there for a  reason    he explained.... god wants us to know that we should trust in him and it will be all  right.... he was articulate... he had learned....the lessons well.... Del --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Teaching Sociology" group. To post to this group, send email to teachsoc@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/teachsoc -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---