Mid Semester Project Sociology & The Movies
Brief Overview of Project
Select Movie Create PowerPoint
Apply Concepts
• For this assignment you will select a movie that can be used to apply concepts & theories covered in chap. 1-12.
• The movie you select should be a movie that is culturally relevant (i.e the movie has multiple references to a particular culture)
• Below you will find slides that can serve as templates. Your information does not need to be formatted the same. But, please keep the pages in order.
• Be sure to view the requirements for each page, so you don’t lose points.
• Have fun and be creative with your slides!
Project Description
Project Layout Slide 1: Name of the movie you selected & Your Name
Slide 2: 1 Paragraph min, overview of the movie you selected (in your own words)= 5pts
Slide 3: Identify 5 examples of material culture, Identify 3 examples of non-material culture, Identify 2
examples of cultural universals found in the movie=10pts
Slide 4: Identify 1 Agent of Socialization, explain how that impacted the main or supporting characters social
standing= 10pts
Slide 5: Identify 1 Factor of stratification, explain how it impacted the lives of the main or supporting
character = 10pts
Slide 6: Identify 3 Gender Norms, Identify 3 Examples that “go against” gender norms=10pts
Slide 7: apply a theory (from textbook) that relates to any aspect of the movie=10pts
Slide 8: Explain the importance of racial/ethnic/cultural representation in movies = 10pts
Slide 8: Bibliography/Work Cited Page, proper grammar/sentence structure throughout assignment= 5pts
Examples of Cultural Movies
♣ The Blind Side
♣ The Greatest Showman
♣ Coco
♣ Raya & The Last Dragon
♣ Crazy Rich Asians
♣ One Night In Miami
♣ Woman in Gold ♣ The Boy In The Striped Pajamas ♣ Marshall ♣ Hidden Figures ♣ 42 ♣ 21 Bridges
♣ The Color of Friendship (Disney)
♣ The Prince of Egypt (Disney)
♣ Brave (Disney)
♣ On The Basis of Sex
♣ Just Mercy
♣ The Help
♣ Harriet
♣ Selma
♣ Queen & Slim
♣ Schindler List
♣ Straight Outa Compton,
♣ Boyz n the Hood,
♣ Coming to America 1 & 2
♣ Django
♣ Selena
♣ Forest Gump
♣ Moana (Disney)
You don’t have to select a movie from this list, these are only suggestions
The next slides will contain examples for what should be included on each slide as it
relates to your chosen movie.
Template/Examples
Title Slide/Name of Movie
Name of Movie
Your Name
Slide 1: Template/Example
This Slide should include….
Movie Description
• In Your Own Words provide a summary of the movie you selected (1 paragraph minimum)
This Slide should include….
Culture In The Movies
1. List AND categorize 5 different examples of material culture found in the movie • (You must state what culture the example you identified comes from. Think
back to the Culture in Music Assignment. Also avoid repeating the same culture elements/classifications of elements)
2. List 3 different examples of non-material culture found in the movie
3. List 2 different examples of cultural universals found in the movie
This Slide should include….
Factors of Stratification
Use 1 of the “Factors of Stratification” to explain why the main or supporting character occupies the social standing (socioeconomic status)
they hold in the movie. (View the chapter on stratification)
Example: Social Standing: Pocahontas was at the top of the socioeconomic pyramid because of her fathers’ social standing in the Powhattan Tribe. Her father was the chief of the tribe, which meant that he had respect, power, jewels, land, animals, gold, and weapons. All of these are representative of someone who would be considered wealthy/ upper class in the Native American tribal community.
This Slide should include….
Agents of Socialization
Use 1 of the “Agents of Socialization” to discuss how the socialization process impacted the main character or supporting character. (View
chapter on socialization)
Example: Family: Pocahontas exemplified bravery and courage in the movie. Her bravery and courage was likely something that she learned from her family. Her father was the chief of the Powhattan tribe. Chiefs have to be strong, courageous, brave, show leadership, fight for what is right, stand up for those who cant defend themselves, and stand against what is wrong. Pocahontas dad socialized her to exemplify characteristics, traits, and actions associated with being a leader.
This Slide should include….
Gender In The Movies
• Identify 3 examples of gender norms that are displayed in the movies
• Identify 3 examples that challenge/go against traditional gender norms
This Slide should include….
How Does Culture Impact Movies
• In your own words, explain how you think culture impacts movies/the content & stories in the movies (3-5 Sentences)
• In your own words, explain if you think cultural representation in movies is important (3-5 sentences)
This Slide should include….
Theory Application
Select a theory from the text and apply it to any aspect of the movie
Sociologist Ludwig Gumplowicz believed that “war and conquest are the basis of civilization” and “cultural and ethnic conflicts led to the formation of a dominant group that had power over others” (Author, Publishing Year, Page #). Gumlpowicz theory can be applied to the story of Pocahontas as it relates to the colonization of Native Americans. The Europeans tried to force the Native Americans to assimilate (adapt their way of life). When the Native Americans rejected this new proposed lifestyle, it led to a war between the colonist and Native Americans. After many years of war, many Native Americans adapted the European lifestyle/civilization. By doing so they gave up their identity, culture, and ways of life to the dominant group, the Europeans.
This Slide should include….
• Hint: Everyone should have a bibliography/work cited page, since you have to state your theory from the textbook!
• You can use MLA, APA, or Chicago Style
Bibliography/Work Cited This Slide should include….
Before You Submit Revisit this Checklist!
Slide 1: Name of the movie you selected & Your Name
Slide 2: 1 Paragraph min, overview of the movie you selected (in your own words)
Slide 3: Identify 5 examples of material culture, Identify 3 examples of non-material culture, Identify 2
examples of cultural universals found in the movie
Slide 4: Identify 1 Agent of Socialization, explain how that impacted the main or supporting characters social
standing
Slide 5: Identify 1 Factor of stratification, explain how it impacted the lives of the main or supporting character
Slide 6: Identify 3 Gender Norms, Identify 3 Examples that “go against” gender norms
Slide 7: apply a theory (from textbook) that relates to any aspect of the movie
Slide 8: Bibliography/Work Cited Page