Sociology Through Film

Sociology Through Film Summer B, 2012 Florida International University Professor: Abdy Javadzadeh Phone: (305)610-8148 Email: [email protected] Course Description: Do movies address the real issues of human relations or are they an exaggeration of our relationships with each other? Can we learn valuable lessons from films? In this course we will examine social relations and social problems through the lens of sociologists. We will learn how three major schools of thought in sociology perceive and analyze social relations. These include Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interatcionism. While they all have constructive lessons to teach each student will be given a chance to decide which ideas to use that explicates social relations. We will delve into areas of gender, class, race, immigration, work, and power inequality through these films. We will develop the skill to analyze films from a sociological perspective. Ultimately we will look into the significance of this medium as a determinant of culture and ideology.

Course Requirements: After watching each film in class students will be required to read assigned sections of the book. These sections pertain to the topics depicted in each film and will give different perspectives in order to analyze the issues at hand. Class discussions will be held in order to develop a deeper understanding of the issues. Participation, and not just attendance, in class discussions determines more than 10 percent of your grade. This makes sharing your views with others especially important. Students are to write a two-page response paper for each film watched in class. Papers are to be written after readings and class discussions about each film. Emailed and late papers will not be accepted. Missing more than two or three classes will result in earning a lower letter-grade consecutively and missing four classes will result in a failing grade, no exceptions. No laptops allowed during class session.

Grades will be determined as follows: Response Papers: 9@ 10 points each------90 Class Participation------10

Total------100

Readings: Readings for Sociology, ed. by Garth Massey, sixth edition. Reading Assignments:

Week One: June 26 and 28 Tue: Introduction to course Thur: Life of David Gale

Week Two: July 3 and 5 Tue: Jawed Iron Angels-----gender, inequality, sexuality------submit paper #1(on Life of David Gale) Thur: North Country-----gender, inequality, social movements

Week Three: July 10 and 12 Tue: Plunder----economic crisis, inequality, political power----submit paper #2 (on Iron Jawed Angels and North Country) Thur: The End of America----government and politics, power elite, crisis Submit paper #3 (on Plunder)

Week Four: July 17 and 19 Tue: Let’s Talk about Sex------sexuality, gender, transgender, bisexuality---submit paper #4 (on The End of America) Thur: Boys Don’t Cry------sexuality, gender assignment, inequality, transsexuality Submit paper # 5 (on Let’s Talk about Sex).

Week Five: July 24 and 26 Tue: Bordertown----labor, gender, class------submit paper #6 (on Boys Don’t Cry). Thur: A Better Life------immigration, labor, immigration laws, poverty

Week Six: July 31 and Aug. 2 Tue: War Made Easy------Militarism, military spending, ideology, war for profits Submit paper #7 (on Bordertown and A Better Life). Thur: Why We Fight------power elite, militarism, Middle East and war

Week Seven: August 7 and 9 Tue: The General’s Daughter----political sociology, torture, war, state power---submit paper #8 (on Why We Fight and War made Easy). Thur: Mr. Brooks------indebtedness, social inequality, financial crisis Submit paper #9 (on The General’s Daughter).