Film & Book Assignments

Directions: 

A.     You may check out films approved for grade eight social studies from the library.  Any film rated "R", may only be checked out with a permission slip from your parents.  These slips can be obtained from the library. 
B.     Once you've watched the film, respond to the questions below.  Use complete sentences.  Be thorough. Feel free to watch the movie and/or discuss the movie with friends, family or teachers.  Be sure to do your own writing.  Word process and spell check. /50 points.
C.     Books are likewise listed and catalogued in our library.  The same questions can be used for book reviews.

1. What is the title of the film? When was it made?  Who directed it? (3 points)

2. What is the film about?  (What is the theme of the film? [What is the film really about?] What are the 5 "w"s of the plot?  What are the key events?) (>7 sentences.)  (10 points.)

3. What is the central conflict in the film?  What social groups are in conflict?  How is the conflict resolved? (>5 sentences)  (5 points.)

4.  In what ways did the director of the film show bias by favoring one group over another?  Explain. How did the director use elements of production (i.e., visual, audio, or cinematographic)  to help make his point? Do you believe the director was fair to the groups portrayed in the film? Why or why not? (Fairness is best assessed not by whether you agree with the director but by judging whether the director shows the key social groups as complex.) (>7 sentences) (5 points.)

REQUIRED RESEARCH CHALLENGE

5abc. What questions about society or history in the USA did the film raise for you?  What are the answers to those questions? (3 questions and answers. 5 points each. Each answer > 5 sentences.)

5d. How did you investigate your questions? (Describe your sources. 2 points.

6. Who do you suppose the director had in mind for his audience?  Why do you suspect this?  Considering the audience, what does the film tell you about society in the USA at the time the film was made? (Use the idea of mass audience, and then question which groups might agree with the basic theme of the film.) (>5 sentences) (5 points.)

7.  In what ways did you like the film, and in what ways did you dislike the film?  Explain. (>5 sentences) (5 points.)

8.  What is your "shark rating" for this film?  (1 Shark = Don't recommend; 2 Sharks = Recommend with reservations; 3 Sharks = Recommend with confidence; 4 Sharks = Strongly recommend)