Syllabus
Sociology Through Films (Soc 240)
Spring, 2005
Instructor:
Class Meeting Information:
Dr. Patricia Jennings
Office:
DDH CC202
Ph:
664-3456
E-Mail:
pjennings@csub.edu
Office Hours: TTH 2-4 p.m. & F 1-2 p.m.
Day: Fridays
Time: 2-4:30
Room: BDC B155
Overview
This course is designed to teach key sociological topics through film. Theorists
are of two minds in their thinking about the impact of film (one form of popular culture)
on society. Some argue that popular films works like a mirror. That is, popular films
reflect existing social trends, identities, and values. Other scholars argue that popular
films have the power to shape the development of social trends, identities, and values.
From this perspective, film is an agent of socialization. In this course, we will examine
how a range of social issues are depicted in both documentary and popular film. We will
focus primarily on films that focus on social difference and/or social inequality. For
example, we will view a documentary film on social class. We will explore gender
socialization through one documentary and two popular films. We will explore racial
representation through a documentary and a popular film. We will couple an academic
study with each topic that we explore through film. This will help us to situate our
analyses of films in key sociological concepts.
Course Goal
In this course you will:
1.
be introduced to two key theories of popular culture.
2.
develop your knowledge of several topic areas in sociology.
3.
develop your knowledge of several sociological concepts.
4.
learn to identify and analyze the depiction of social issues in popular films.
5.
learn to analyze the way in which social issues are framed in documentary films.
6.
learn to analyze the extent to which popular film re-invokes or challenges
cultural stereotypes and systems of inequality.
Assignments
1.
Five essays (20 points each for a total of 100 points)
Essays: You are required to draw on the reading(s) and film(s) to analyze each of
the topics covered in the course. For example, you will write an essay on the
social construction of sex and gender that draws on readings by McGuffey &
Rich and E. J. Graff and each of the films (i.e., My Life in Pink, Tough Guise,
and Analyze This) under the sex/gender topic heading in the calendar of
readings.
2.
Choose a reading and film (20 points)
You will work with a group of classmates to choose a film and reading for one of
our class sessions. You will be asked to pick a film and a corresponding reading
and write a brief report that demonstrates the relevance of the film to a
sociological concept and discusses the link between the film and reading.
Total Points = 120
Attendance
Attendance is essential in this course since we will work as group to analyze the films
that we view. Failure to attend the class will have a negative impact on your grade.
Classroom Conduct
Please do not arrive late or leave early. If this cannot be avoided, please sit in the back of
the class so that you do not disturb others. Please turn off your cell phones or put them
on vibrate.
Some of the material that we cover in this course is sensitive in nature and can spark
debate. We encourage discussion and debate and we want all students to feel
comfortable expressing their opinion about the materials/themes covered in the course.
However, discussion and debate should always focus on the content of the points made in
the readings, in my lectures, or during class discussions. Personal verbal attacks are not
acceptable forms of discussion and debate (see the example below).
Example
Inappropriate response:
That's a really stupid thing to say. What a dumb idea. You
are wrong.
Appropriate response:
I understand your point, but I see it a little differently. I
think... (express your point).
Plagiarism
Plagiarism occurs when you use material (e.g., exact written or spoken words, a summary
of written or spoken words/sentences, and even an idea that you heard about on TV, the
radio, or read in an article or book) that someone else has produced without giving credit
to the original author. When you use someone’s words, arguments, and ideas you must
be sure that you indicate (cite) where the material came from in your paper. Also, buying
a paper, book report, or essay or having someone else write your paper, book report, or
essay counts as plagiarism. I will follow the guidelines for plagiarism in the CSUB
Catalog which includes assigning a failing grade for the course and placing a note in your
academic file.
Here are some examples of the proper way to cite a text for a sociology course:
Direct Quote: Memory has a social basis. As Albert Memmi (1957: 103) states, “Just
as the memory of an individual is the fruit of his history and physiology, that of a people
rests upon its institutions.”
Paraphrase: Memory has a social basis. The memory of a people is rooted in their
social institutions (Memmi, 1957: 102).
Course Reading Materials
There is no text book for this course. However, there are a series of readings on
electronic reserve.
Readings on Electronic Reserve
C. Shawn McGuffey & B. Lindsay Rich, “Playing in the Gender Transgression Zone”
E. J. Graff, “The M/F Boxes”
Patricia Hill Collins, “Mammies, Matriarchs, and Other Controlling Images”
Uma Narayan, “Cross-Cultural Connections, Border-Crossings, and “Death by Culture”
John Evans, “A Brave New World? How Genetic Technology Could Change Us”
Patricia Williams, “Racial Ventriloquism” (I will hand this one out in class after we view
the Star Wars film).
Readings for the final 2 weeks TBA.
Calendar of Films & Readings
April 1
First Class
Introductions
Topic: Social Class in America
Read: No reading
Film: People Like Us
April 8th
Topic: The Social Construction of Gender and Sexuality
Read: McGuffey & Rich, “Playing in the Gender Transgression Zone”
E. J. Graff, “The M/F Boxes”
Film: My Life in Pink (French film with subtitles)
April 15th
Topic: Gender Continued: Media Violence and Masculinity
Read: No Reading
Film: Tough Guise
April 22nd
Topic: Resisting Masculinity in Popular Film
Read: TBA
Film: Analyze This
April 29th
Topic: A Historical Overview of Racial Representations
Read: Patricia Hill Collins, “Mammies, Matriarchs, and Other Controlling Images”
Films: Ethnic Notions & Midnight Ramble
May 6th
Topic: Race Continued
Read: Patricia Williams, “Racial Ventriloquism” (Read after you view the film)
Film: Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace
May 13th
Topic: Cultural Representations of Women in Developing Countries
Read: Uma Naryan
Film: Monsoon Wedding
May 20th
Topic: Genetic Engineering
Read: John Evans, “A Brave New World? How Genetic Technology Could Change Us”
Film: Gattaca
May 27th
Topic and Reading:
Groups Choice
June 3rd
Topic and Reading:
Groups Choice