Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 18:55:39 -0800 (PST)
From: ODUL BOZKURT <obozkurt-AT-ucla.edu>
Subject: RE: Sociology-Film


Vince-

Yes, you're right: films offer some kind of sociological
analysis themselves, and are themselves at the same time socially
situated. (hence possibly the object of sociological study.) A
common occurrence at undergraduate level classes in sociology is that
most, if not all, students come to them with the assumption that
sociology ought to be / can be analogous to the "hard sciences." Most of
them are introduced to the notions of social-constructedness of concepts
such as race and gender and the complexity of making statements about the
social world in these initial years of collegec. Films, as a
corollary in this understanding, are separated from the realm of the
"social": they are fun, they are "artistic," and they are "epiphenomenal"
to sociological questions. 

The purpose of the course might be to illustrate how statements
(implicitly or explicitly) are being made about certain substantive
issues in, by, and through films. I would think that this would
have to most clearly appear on a chronological axis, but find the
"international" comparison a must. For example: what are the statements
being made about "aging" in films? What are the elderly people doing in
film noires? What are they doing in the 90's indie films? How might
these relate to sociological work on the same topics? 

The case of genderis one that is typically included in introductory
sociology classes: through a discussion
of how gender roles are portrayed in media commercials in the 50's, 60's,
70's and now, etc. Now what might be some interesting FILMS that would
thematically speak to each other? Our other list-friend (I cannot see the
name on my screen right now, sorry!!And Thank you! ) suggested 
"Philadelphia Story" as up for discussion for AIDS/sexual orientation, for
example: how is "My Beautiful Laundrette" or "Lex Nuits Sauvages" speak to
similar issues, for 
example? Something of that sort.

We sociologists like to think that yes, indeed, every cultural product,
and thus film, is inherently "sociological." My interest is precisely 
organizing courses around that linkage!

Thanks all for the feedback!




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