For this paper, you or you and your partner will watch a single film or at least 2 episodes of a series of your choosing from the list of films and television series provided. You will discuss this in the context of class concepts and theories. You will write and submit a single paper(whether you are working with a partner or alone) that analyzes the film or episodes using a theory of deviance from the class/textbook and connecting with class concepts and themes in addition to that selected overall theory. You can analyze particular scenes, a plot dynamic, specific character, or other specific aspects of the film or episodes and include predominate themes, messages, and imagery as well. REMEMBER THE 3 SENTENCE RULE. In your paper, you should explain the theory of deviance you have selected, use the theory to analyze the selected aspects of the film or episodes, and then apply additional class concepts and theories from different text chapters, lecture and readings to strengthen your sociological analysis of the film. Plot summary is not needed, and you will not have space for it. You need only describe what connects directly to your analysis and application of class concepts.
Remember! You must select a film/series from the list below. If you do not include specifics from lecture and class readings, properly cited according to writing guidelines document on Canvas, you will receive a zero for the paper score.
Learning Objectives
Be able to recognize topics, ideas, or events of sociological interest in popular visual media and understand them from a sociological perspective.
Clearly explain and apply a sociological theory.
Be able to accurately and clearly analyze a film using a sociological theory, make an argument using the theory, and connect it to other class concepts.
Gain practice writing according to academic standards and synthesizing concepts and theories with your own systematic observations.
Mandatory Rules
You must select a film or series from the list. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a zero on the paper.
You must connect your analysis with class material. Failure to use class material A LOT will result in a zero on the paper.
Use one theory of deviance from DSC chapter 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or lecture on cutting edge criminology to analyze what you watched.
Apply at least two additional concepts from the class or a different chapter in the textbook and connect them to your theoretical argument. (The stronger the connections you make, the more points you will receive. Mentioning a concept in passing does not count.) You may use another theory from a different DSC chapter to count as one of your “additional concepts” if you like.
Explicitly identify what aspect of the film you are analyzing-give a clear and concise example from the film (this also needs to be cited according to writing guidelines). Making vague references to the scene/character/plot you have chosen will harm your final score.
In your analysis at MINIMUM you must utilize one lecture concept/reference, two DSC chapters, and one DSC reading or Canvas material connection. You will likely need to do more than this to meet the criteria of one theory and two additional concepts from class utilized in your analysis.
Paper Format and Guidelines
3 pages maximum plus a references page
Proper ASA format for in-text citations and reference page (see writing guidelines on Canvas)
Materials to be referenced:
Glenda’s lecture and recitation material
DSC textbook material
Supplemental readings from DSC and material posted on Canvas (you may use optional materials on Canvas as well)
Outside sources are ok, but don’t earn you points
Grading Criteria:
A film from the list provided is chosen-if not on the list, the paper will earn a zero.
In text citations according to writing guidelines with full references are included, otherwise the paper will earn a zero.
Formatting, page length, citation, references follow writing guidelines document on Canvas
Writing is college level: clear, grammatically correct, easily read
AT LEAST two text chapters, one lecture reference, and one supplemental reading utilized in analysis
A specific theory is utilized to analyze the major themes, characters, plot points, and/or message of the film. This theory should be selected from DSC chapter 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or lecture on cutting edge crim.
Theory is identified and key ideas/claims are correctly described. These concepts/ideas are specifically and correctly applied to briefly described examples from film, with discussion of how that example either illustrates or challenges/contradicts the theory’s claim.
A minimum of 2 additional concepts should be applied to specific scenes or examples from the film. The concepts may include social control from lecture and DSC chapter 11, Any terms utilized in chapters 1 or 2, Ideas from supplemental material from DSC readings or Canvas (must utilize at least one supplemental material), moral panics, stratification, bad faith, or deviant careers (lecture and DSC ch 12).
Other examples from film are discussed as they illustrate or contradict those additional concept(s) from class.
Summation of analysis makes sense and is accurate according to class material and content of film
TWO SOURCES
Movie – The Breakfast Club (1985)
Required textt fr (DSC)- Perspectives on Deviance and Social Control 3rd edition. 2020. Kristin A. Bates, Inderbitzin, and Randy R. Gainey. Sage Publications. Available on Canvas in e-book form on Course tab.
