Application Paper – due _________________________
Topics due to me by ___________________________________________ – (the movie and the theory or application you
choose)
This is a research paper which will cover a topic which we have discussed in class, or will discuss in class.
This paper should provide insight and application in the area of interpersonal communication. The
relevancy of the paper should be how we can apply these principles or concepts to every day life, and
movies which reflect every day life.
The paper is a 5-7 page double spaced paper with a minimum of seven sources in your bibliography.
Citations should follow standard MLA or APA format.
Interpersonal Paper
Turn in a typed 5-7 page analysis of a relationship from a film of your choosing.
Instructions:
1. Select a film.
2. Select a perspective, theory, etc. from class or text.
3. Use the model or theory to explain and analyze your chosen relationship, in the film or parts of the film.
4. Use examples from the film to illustrate your points.
Grading:
1. Make a clear and interesting argument for why the movie illustrates this theory.
2. I am interested in a well-supported analysis.
3. I am interested in seeing you use the vocabulary of the unit.
4. I am interested is seeing whether or not the theory is understood well enough to be clearly explained and
applied in your own words. Use real life examples to bring your explanation to life, as well as concrete
examples from the movie.
Sample topic movies: (you can choose others, these are just examples)
A Beautiful Mind – Communication Competence
Love Actually – negotiating relationships
Erin Brockovitch – Communication Competence
Meet the Parents – Identity Management
Boyz in the Hood – Influences on Self-Concept
Primal Fear - Perceptions
Sweet Home Alabama– Identity Management
Nell – Language / Non Verbal Comm
Stand and Deliver – Self Fulfilling Prophecies
Babel – Language and Culture
Catch me if you Can – Identity Management
Windtalkers – language
White Man’s Burden – Multiple Perspectives
Gracie - stereotyping
The First Wives Club- Shared Narratives
Dead Man Walking – Listening
Waiting to Exhale – Shared Narratives
Sixteen Candles - listening
The Doctor – Building Empathy
The Breakfast Club – self-concept
Monster’s Ball – The Significance of Expressing emotions
The Interpreter - Listening
Riding in Cars with Boys – Expressing Emotions
Good Will Hunting – Relationships start
When Harry Met Sally – Gender and Language
In Good Company - Relationships
The Birdcage – Masculine and Feminine Non verbal behaviors
Life as a House – The power of Touch
Stand By Me - Friendships
E.T. – perceptions
American Beauty – Conflict
As good as it gets – listening
The Brothers McMullen – family conflict
Trading Places – perception
Ordinary People – Family Conflict
Disclosure – Computer Mediated Communication
Liar Liar – Deceptive communication
You’ve Got Mail – CMC
Breach – Deceptive communication
On Golden Pond
Greenfingers - Perception
Driving Miss Daisy
Crash – Stereotyping
I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry - stereotyping
OR Find your own!!! There are tons of them out there!!