Tag: Multimedia
“Danny Boy” and The Sociological Imagination
Dear Student,
After reading the first chapter of The Sociological Imagination by Charles Wright Mills (1959) in the classroom, we learned that it is important to be aware that we, as individuals, are part of a wider society in order to understand our behavior, feelings, and possibilities.
This short film tells the story of a guy who has something that makes him unique in his society, but also very unhappy and discriminated against.
How would you apply the sociological imagination to “Danny Boy”?
What is the tension between his individual abilities and societal expectations?
Would you consider this film’s ending a happy one?
Let’s discuss!!
Sociological Imagination Videos
Obesity in the US: Public Issue or Personal Trouble? — a good introduction to the concept of the sociological imagination using the example of obesity
The Women’s Kingdom — this brief introduction to China’s Mosuo people (a matriarchal society) is great for a discussion of ideas of love, marriage and family. It does a nice job illustrating the extent to which an individual’s norms and worldview are shaped by their particular social and historical context. This video is also good for gender, family and culture.
Sociological Theory Video
Sociological Theory
Modern Times — The first 15-20 minutes of this film (available on Kanopy) are excellent for demonstrating the social changes caused by the industrial revolution and illustrating the theories of Mark, Durkheim and Weber. It is also usually available on YouTube (but check the link, as it is regularly taken down and then reposted).
Sociological Methods Video
Methods
Crash Course Sociology Research Methods — Good overview of research methods.
Sage Research Methods Podcasts — A collection of podcasts featuring sociologists discussing methodological choices and challenges.
Socialization Video
Socialization
Genie: Secret of the Wild Child — The story of Genie, who great up in almost total isolation, is a compelling example of what a lack of social interaction/socialization means for an individual. The first 8-9 minutes give a good overview.
Social Interaction Video
Social Interaction
The Exam Cheat — This is a fun example of Goffman’s concept of impression management.
Growing Up Online — Though it’s old, this documentary is good for showing Goffman’s concepts translated into online interaction (particularly part 3, starting at around 15 minutes).
Deviance and Crime Resources
Sold on Backpage.com at 16 — This NY Times video by Nicholas Kristof is good for illustrating the conflict theory perspective on crime.
Jay Z: The War on Drugs is an Epic Fail — another NY Times op-doc highlighting the racial inequalities of the war on drugs.
How we’re priming some kids for college — and others for prison, Alice Goffman — This TED talk gives a good overview of the school-to-prison pipeline and is a good starting point for discussions of sociological theories and perspectives on deviance and crime.
Social Class Videos
Social Class
People Like Us: Social Class in America — available on Kanopy via BMCC Library; Tammy’s Story is a great clip from the film for discussions of poverty.
Inequality for All — This film provides an excellent overview of economic inequality. It appears to be available on YouTube for free now
Gender Inequality Resources
Gender Inequality
We Should All Be Feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — This is a wonderful TED Talk (there is a transcript as well).
Miss Representation — Available on Kanopy; the extended trailer gives a good overview.
Huggies ad “Boys and Girls are Different” — good for showing the difference between sex and gender.
Women’s Unpaid Labor is Worth $10,900,000,000,000, by Gus Wezerek and Kristen R. Ghodsee (New York Times)
