Sociology 101
Film Essay
1
Film Essay: “Lean On Me”
Assignment: Based on your viewing of the film consider the role of education in the lives of
young [U.S.] Americans. In the movie did you see evidence of commitment to
mass education, or evidence of a utilitarian institution designed to control and
accredits students? Examine the formal structure of the school as depicted, and
give examples of both manifest and latent functions of the school system. Was
there evidence of competitiveness and self-fulfilling prophecy?
Support:
The film, book, personal experiences
Format:
3 double-spaced pages
Due date:
May 5th
 Introduction
o Catch the reader’s attention (quote, statistics, personal story)
o The reader should be able to know what to expect for the rest of the essay
 Body
o A: Role of education
 What is the purpose of education?
 Functionalist Theory [333]:
o Cultural Transmission of values
o Social Integration
o Gatekeeping
 Conflict Theory [335]:
o Hidden curriculum
o Reproduction of social class
 Symbolic Interactionism [337]:
o Teacher’s expectations
 Describe the ideal vs. actual role of education
 Give examples from the movie
 Quote from the book
 Outside example: your personal experience
o B: Mass education vs. Utilitarian institution
 Define and describe mass education and utilitarian institution
 Mass education: education for everyone
 Utilitarian institution: education to control people/teach to follow rules
 Take a perspective
 Give examples from the movie
 Quote from the book
 Outside example: your personal experience
Sociology 101
Film Essay
2
o C: Formal structure, manifest and latent functions of educational system
 Structure: different parts in society fit together to make the whole
 Function: each part does something and contributes to society [333]
 Manifest function: intended to help some part of the system/society
 Latent function: unintended consequences that help the system/society
 Give examples from movie
 Quote from the book
 Outside example
o D: Competitiveness and self-fulfilling prophecy
 Did you see it? Who did it? How did it happen? Why did it happen? How
did it affect students, teachers, principal?
 Use a sociological theory to explain these attitudes
 Give examples from the movie
 Quote from the book
 Outside example
 Conclusion
o Wrap up the essay
o What did you learn? What was the message of the film?
o Link the movie to society