“Lean on Me”
Instructions: You are to develop critical sociological analysis of a film. In doing so, you must incorporate sociological theories, theorists, and concepts in a well-organized paper centered around central themes: Social Institutions; Deviance; Social Change. Throughout the course, you have been introduced to readings and materials that were designed to foster critical thinking and analytical skills. This “film” or “movie” analysis paper is designed for you to apply what you have learned—to demonstrate your developed sociological perspective. Your essay should include a clear and concise introduction paragraph with a thesis statement, well organized body paragraphs that expound on your central point(s), and a conclusion paragraph that details a summation of your sociological analysis. Please review the following and incorporate in essay format:
• Explain the significance of race, class, and education as being key social factors in determining life chance, outcomes, and opportunities.
• Think about systems, structures, policies, practices, and processes on both macro and micro levels; discuss how racism manifests itself in the society as it was depicted in the movie.
• Explore how the movie illuminates’ issues of class and education: What is social class and how does your class have a relationship with access to education and upward social and economic mobility?
• Choose a quote to analyze: “If you treat them like animals that’s exactly how they’ll behave” or “I thought you people didn’t like chains”. Discuss these within your sociological perspective with respect to race and class in particular.
• Discuss how the movie highlights how drugs can impact a community.
• What is the importance of social change and activism? How was this depicted in the movie?
• Think about issues of alcohol, drugs, and crime & criminality and discuss how the movie depicts how these social issues have a relationship with race, class and education.
This paper should be a minimum of 700-800 words; written in Times New Roman font size 12; and key concepts, theorist, and theories should be bolded or italicized.
