Anectdotally, I know from my teaching evaluations and students' performance on exams, that films serve an important function in the classroom. Students *love* the films I use, and the films illustrate concepts in ways that go beyond either my lectures or the assigned readings. That said, I work hard to get the lectures, readings and documentary films to link together and inform one another to make the sociological concepts we're studying clearer. Films can work, but they take work.
In this media-saturated culture, I also think it's useful to work in a little 'media literacy' into the curriculum as well.
I'd be interested in knowing what the literature says on the use of films for teaching sociology.
Jessie Daniels, Ph.D.
Visiting Asst. Prof. - Urban Public Health
Adj. - Sociology & Women's Studies
HUNTER COLLEGE
425 E. 25th Street, 8th Floor, West Bldg.
New York, NY 10010
On 9/14/06, chris salituro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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 StatusWhat 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 InstitutionsIdentify 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 RolesDiscuss 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 StatusesWhat 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 ofany film in a classroom?What is learned from films?The other day I listened to a 10 year old.... I looked at the dollarbill he said. there is wasin god we trust. He continued to explain that the trouble we are in nowis because we donot follow that simple message....... that statement is there for areason he explained.... godwants us to know that we should trust in him and it will be allright.... he was articulate...he had learned....the lessons well....Del
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"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall.
Think of it - always."
~ Gandhi
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