Film analysis
worthiness (or not worthiness) as a cultural product that helps to reduce social oppression.
• Introduction and thesis (1 paragraph):
• Part I: Short synopsis of the film (1 paragraph)
• Part II: Social psychological scene analysis (2 -3 paragraphs)
SPD in Film Analysis
o Observe the interactions, situations, etc. in the film and use on of the broad
perspectives on prejudice, stereotyping, or stigma to explain the phenomenon
under consideration. This means deploying the Justification-Suppression Model
of prejudice (Crandall & Eshleman, 2003), the Social Identity approach to
stereotyping (Oakes et al., 1994), or Link and Phelan’s (2000) take on stigma.
You will need to define the model/theory and then explain how the specific
scenes match or don’t match with the model/theory. You are certainly
encouraged to point to a variety of scenes that fit or don’t fit with the approaches
from this course.
• Part III: Sociocultural analysis of the film (around 3-4 paragraphs)
o Think through the sociocultural approach offered in Adams et al. (2008) and
consider the merits of this film as a cultural product. Please consider at least 2 of
the following questions:
§ Does this film deliver any “implicit models” that Adams and colleagues
(2008) discuss? What might be the consequence of delivering this
message to audiences? What should be changed to make it more
consistent with the sociocultural approach?
§ In your opinion, what is the impact that this film might have on someone
watching it? Would they walk away invigorated, depressed, apathetic? Do
you think that movies have much power in this regard? Why or why not?
§ What is the broader narrative this film presents about SPD issues and how
they should be reconciled? Is this film working as a source of liberation
for social injustice and oppression? In your estimation, what things could
be changed about this film to make it better in this regard?
• Conclusion/Wrap up (1 paragraph)
o Based on Parts II and III explain to me why this film should be considered as a
beneficial or not-beneficial cultural product. Keep in mind that it can poorly
explain or represent SPD phenomena and still be worthwhile because it provokes
good discussion and analysis as may have been commented on in part 3 of your
analysis. I will look for these arguments in your conclusion.
