Students will select two education themed films, one previously viewed in class

Students will select two education themed films, one previously viewed in class and one not (students may choose any of the films listed on course handouts. However, films should not be ones the student has used for one of the movie review assignments. If a student would like to use a film not listed, student must receive permission from instructor).
Utilizing course readings, discussions, and additional text/audio/visual resources as evidence, students will write a comprehensive analysis comparing and contrasting the two films utilizing the following prompts.
(*Note: the extent of focus on each of the concepts, prompts, and essential questions below will be dependent upon the nature of the particular films selected)
Introduce both films, make sure to include year released studio, director, key cast, writer(s), and if it was based on a true story, etc.
Include a brief summary of the films including major plot points, characters, and settings.
Review how the films reflect, address, and/or exemplify key course concepts (refer to Key Course Vocab and Concepts handout..note, we may add to this list as the course proceeds). A minimum of eight (8) of these concepts should be integrated into the paper. Make certain to bold or CAPITALIZE where they are used.
Address how the films capture or reflect the social, political, and cultural mores of the periods in which they were made and/or set.
Explore the films’ attitudes toward teachers and teaching as a profession (i.e. depicted positively or negatively? As committed professionals or incompetents? As saviors or victims?)
Explore the films’ attitudes toward students (e.g. depicted positively or negatively? As committed intellectuals or misunderstood delinquents? As lovable misfits or dangerous thugs? As products of “broken” homes and/or “victims” of the streets who need to be “fixed”? As entitled suburbanites or depraved criminals? As intellectually engaged learners or indifferent and passive passengers?)
Explore the films’ attitudes toward race, class, and ethnicity? (e.g. which, if any, stereotypes do the films reinforce, exploit, or refute? Are the teachers ethnically diverse? The students? Is “urban” culture represented? If so, is it celebrated or vilified? Are students of color viewed as in possession of cultural assets or deficits? Are urban students of color “allowed” to be children or simply viewed as young “adults?” Is middle-class heteronormative whiteness the assumed standard? How are students’ parents depicted? etc.)
Explore the films’ depictions of unique and/or engaging teaching methods (aka pedagogy) and the extent to which they may or may not be effective in a real classroom.
Explore the films’ attitudes toward gender. Are female and male stereotypes reinforced or challenged? Are females blatantly sexualized or presented as complex multidimensional beings? Are female characters solely defined by their relationships with males? Are female characters empowered or submissive?
Review the films’ entertainment value. Which film was more entertaining? Why? Would you recommend the films to friends? Why or why not?
Review the films’ cultural legacies. How have the films affected how schools, teachers, and students are viewed by the public? Which film appears to have had the greater cultural impact? Why?
Include an abstract (between 150 and 250 words) at the start of the paper. The abstract should summarize the paper.
Technical Requirements:
– Include a minimum of eight (8) quality references (may be journal articles from class or not from class, books, websites, magazines, etc.).
-As mentioned above, integrate key course concepts (refer to Key Course Vocab and Concepts handout) (a minimum of eight (8) and make certain to bold or CAPITALIZE where they are used.
– Reference using APA format/style with a comprehensive List of References at the end. (students should try and adhere to APA formatting. However, perfection is not required.)
– Should be approximately 2400-2600 words in length (about eight double-spaced pages- not including List of References or Appendices)
– Must be written in Standard (academic) English, closely proofread, and free of egregious and repeated mechanical errors.
THE MOVIES THAT ARE TO BE REVIEWED ARE FREEDOM WRITERS AND “Up the down staircase