FILM 91: World Cinema
In this class we attempt to tour the world through films. Many of these films do touch on the theme of poverty. One of the most straightforward looks at poverty takes place when we examine Mexican cinema. We watch several short films that directly portray the experience of Mexicans who are struggling to survive on a daily basis. Students seem particularly moved by this short film, La Carnada: https://vimeo.com/106839392. However, I hesitate to link the theme of poverty to any one country or cinema about that country. Therefore, I am considering changing the oral presentation assignment to directly address poverty instead.
I ask my classmates if you have any advice on how to make the assignment for specific so that students really dig in to the topic.
Original Assignment: Documentary Oral Presentations
Each student will choose a documentary film (from my list) to watch and research, culminating an oral presentation to the class. You are not required to explore all aspects of the film, instead you will choose one area of concentration about the culture to focus on. You will discuss how a specific cultural factor such as class, religion, gender, sex, age, race, or belief, is evidenced in the film, and what it reflects about the specific culture.
Films:
- Wasteland (Brazil)
- Favela Rising (Brazil)
- Manda Bala (Brazil)
- Reportero (Mexico)
- Aluna (Columbia)
- War Dance (Uganda)
- God Loves Uganda (Uganda)
- A Walk to Beautiful (Ethiopia)
- My Country, My Country (Iraq)
- The Square (Egypt)
- Encounter Point (Israel/Palestine)
- Born Into Brothels (India)
- He Named Me Malala (India)
- Daughter from Danang (Vietnam)
- The Act of Killing (Indonesia)
- Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry (China)
- The Propaganda Game (North Korea)
- The Cove (Japan)
- The Arbor (England)
Areas of concentration will include:
1. poverty
2. ethnicity
3. class
4. male/female roles (gender)
5. language
6. sexual orientation
7. belief
8. other forms of social differentiation (must be approved by professor)
Feel free to use pictures, video clips and powerpoint in your presentation. The total time of your presentation must be between 3 and 7 minutes (depending on your use of video clips). Additionally, because you are presenting about another culture, you are encouraged to incorporate foreign language, props, music, dress and other visual aids for your presentation.
Revised Assignment: Documentary Oral Presentations
You will choose a foreign documentary film (from my list) to watch and research, culminating an oral presentation to the class. You are not required to explore all aspects of the film, instead you will explore the theme of poverty as evidenced in the film. Remember, this documentary might not directly be about poverty, nonetheless, the film will invite you to see how poverty is effecting people within that culture. You are asked to identify where poverty is a factor and research more about the underlying causes and effects.
Begin by watching the film, then construct a preview statement. Example: In the film Titicut Follies, the director explores how class impacts the treatment of the mentally ill in America.
Remember to take a stance on the film and what it means. Example: The film Titicut Follies illustrates how class, resulting in a failure to meet the needs of mentally ill citizens, affects the American judicial system.
Finally, your conclusion should include your reflections on how what you’ve seen and learned about poverty in another culture effects your understanding of poverty in America.
Films:
- Wasteland (Brazil)
- Favela Rising (Brazil)
- Manda Bala (Brazil)
- Reportero (Mexico)
- Aluna (Columbia)
- War Dance (Uganda)
- God Loves Uganda (Uganda)
- A Walk to Beautiful (Ethiopia)
- My Country, My Country (Iraq)
- The Square (Egypt)
- Encounter Point (Israel/Palestine)
- Born Into Brothels (India)
- He Named Me Malala (India)
- Daughter from Danang (Vietnam)
- The Act of Killing (Indonesia)
- Ai Wei Wei: Never Sorry (China)
- The Propaganda Game (North Korea)
- The Cove (Japan)
- The Arbor (England)
Feel free to use pictures, video clips and PowerPoint in your presentation. The total time of your presentation must be between 3 and 7 minutes (depending on your use of video clips). Additionally, because you are presenting about another culture, you are encouraged to incorporate foreign language, props, music, dress and other visual aids for your presentation so that the class, who may not be familiar with that specific culture, can learn as much as possible about it.
You must write your own content and also include evidence of research. Please be sure to site your sources, Wikipedia is not a source.
Sangeeta K Bishop
Sarah,
I like your new assignment. I also liked how you tried to broaden the definition of poverty by giving an example of how class affects treatment of the mentally ill.
I think one thing I plan to use in my classes is to make students aware of the different dimensions of poverty and try to steer them away from thinking only in terms of the poverty line (which is how economics deals with poverty).
Before you give them this assignment, how do you plan to bring in a discussion around poverty in your class?