Choose a film (any film! – I have attached a suggestion list in case you can’t think of any you would like to write about). Even if you have seen the movie multiple times, view it again, looking for connections between the film and what you have learned in sociology. Have fun with it – even if you find it challenging at first, you might find that this becomes a habit whenever you watch a new movie, TV show, etc. Sociology is everywhere!
• Note: This is a sociological analysis, NOT a film review. Do not write a long summary of the plot. Instead, incorporate details from the film as you answer the questions, using them as evidence to support your analysis. • Paper must be 1300 words in length, minimum. (DO NOT add “filler” to reach this word count.)
• You must find at least one source to back you up. You are free to use any format for your citations as long as you are consistent. Remember that your textbook is an acceptable source, as are class discussions. Please remember to cite the film as well.
• In order to get full credit for the assignment, pay attention to grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. If you have difficulty in these areas, please visit the writing center—they will be able to help you with your college level writing assignments.
• DO NOT structure your paper as a list and DO NOT copy and paste the essay instructions into your paper Review the instructions and point values below and structure your paper into multiple paragraphs, making sure to discuss each of the following:
REQUIRED CONTENT (followed by point values for each item):
1 Write an introductory paragraph introducing your film, and why you chose it for analysis. (5 points)
2 Identify the major social groups and institutions depicted in the film and describe what their role is in the story. (5 points)
3 How has socialization impacted the main character(s)? For example, how would they have behaved differently had they been raised in a different family or neighborhood? (10 points)
4 Choose a sociological theory and use it to discuss the main point of this film. (10 points)
5 What other sociological concepts are present in the film? You can choose anything you have learned in sociology, in your book, what we have talked about in class, etc. For example, you might use dramaturgy to explain how the main character makes decisions in an uncomfortable situation, or give examples of institutional discrimination, gender role socialization, culture, or ideology. The possibilities are limitless. To receive full credit for this section, discuss several concepts, incorporating details from the film to support your analysis. (15 points)
6 Cite sources (including the film), divide your work into paragraphs, and follow the instructions below. (5 points)
FILM SUGGESTIONS
A Civil Action (1998)
Affliction (1997)
All the President’s Men (1976)
American Beauty (1999)
American History X(1998)
Amistad (1998)
And the Band Played On (1993)
Avatar (2009)
Being John Malcovich
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
Bowling for Columbine (2002)
Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
Bruce Almighty (2003)
Bullworth
Catch Me if you Can (2002)
Clueless (1995)
Crash (2004)
Dangerous Minds
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Dead Poet’s Society (1990)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Doubt
Easy A (2010)
Easy Rider (1969)
Erin Brokovich
Fight Club (1999)
Flawless (1999)
Food, Inc. (2009)
Forrest Gump
Frost/Nixon (2009)
Gangs of New York (2002)
Ghandi
Good Will Hunting
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
I am Sam (2001)
Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
JFK (1992)
John Q (2002)
Joker (2019)
Jungle Fever
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Kung Fu Panda
LEGO Movie (2014)
Mean Girls (2004)
Minority Report (2002)
Miss Congeniality(2000)
Monster (2003)
Mr. Mom (1983)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Norma Rae (1979)
On Golden Pond (1981)
Patch Adams (1998)
Philadelphia (1993)
Pleasantville (1998)
Pretty Woman
Primary Colors (1998)
Pulp Fiction
Real Women Have Curves
Remember the Titans (2000)
Roger and Me (1989)
Sarafina! (1997)
Shawshank Redemption
Sicko (2007)
Spiderman (2002)
Stand and Deliver (1988)
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Syriana (2005)
The Accused (1988)
The Birdcage (1996)
The Cider House Rules
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Elephant Man (1980)
The Gods Must Be Crazy! (1980)
The Handmaid’s Tale (1990)
The Hunger Games (2012)
The Hurricane (1999)
The Insider (1999)
The Invention of Lying (2009)
The Laramie Project (2002)
The Last Temptation of Christ
The Matrix
Thelma and Louise
Titanic (1997)
To Kill a Mockingbird
Traffic (2000)
Wag the Dog (1998)
Wall Street (1987)
Zootopia
