# EDREM 7781 Movie Project Jethro Jones, Sherry Wibben, Michael Zitzer, Luke Thuston ## Assignment Directions [**Qualitative Analysis Project – Group Project**](https://umsystem.instructure.com/courses/269079/discussion_topics/2362142) **This replaces the project found in the syllabus, although the grading will remain the same** 1. **Develop Research Questions** Students should: - Watch the movie trailer and research the film’s background and critical reception to gather context. - Identify potential themes (e.g., leadership, empowerment, race, education) based on the initial impression. - Create research questions on behavior patterns, conflict resolution, personal growth, and societal issues. Example questions might include: - "How does the main character's leadership style evolve throughout the film?" - "What are the dominant social issues presented, and how are they addressed?" - "How does the relationship between teacher/mentor and student shift the narrative?" 3. **Viewing the Film** - Watch the film with these research questions in mind. - Take notes on recurring imagery, dialogues, and character development, focusing on interactions, turning points, and the social or educational dynamics portrayed. 5. **Finding Patterns and Themes** - Organize your notes into categories such as “social dynamics,” “educational challenges,” or “leadership styles.” - Compare your findings to real-life educational or social theories and concepts, using qualitative analysis to conclude the film’s portrayal of these issues. 7. **Writing a Narrative** - Use your research questions to guide your narrative. - The narrative should summarize the film, discuss the identified themes, and analyze how the film presents solutions or addresses key conflicts. - Require citations from outside resources, such as academic articles, reviews, or historical references that help support or contrast their analysis. **List of 15 Films with Overviews (You may propose another)** 1. **Lean on Me (1989)** A high school principal, Joe Clark, uses tough love and discipline to turn around a failing inner-city school. 2. **Dead Poets Society (1989)** An unconventional English teacher inspires his students to break free from societal expectations and embrace creativity and poetry. 3. **Freedom Writers (2007)** Based on the true story of a teacher who helps her at-risk students find their voices through writing. 4. **Stand and Deliver (1988)** A math teacher helps his students succeed in calculus, defying stereotypes about inner-city kids and showing the importance of determination and education. 5. **The Ron Clark Story (2006)** A passionate teacher moves to Harlem and uses unconventional teaching methods to inspire his students. 6. **The Great Debaters (2007)** A professor at a historically Black college leads his debate team to success, overcoming racism and societal barriers. 7. **Dangerous Minds (1995)** A former Marine becomes a teacher in a rough inner-city school and uses unconventional methods to reach her students. 8. **Coach Carter (2005)** A basketball coach enforces discipline both on and off the court, demanding academic success from his players. 9. **The Breakfast Club (1985)** Five high school students from different social groups spend detention together and discover their commonalities. 10. **Hidden Figures (2016)** The untold story of three African American women mathematicians at NASA who played pivotal roles in the space race. 11. **Akeelah and the Bee (2006)** A young girl from a tough neighborhood competes in a national spelling bee, with the help of a mentor. 12. **Good Will Hunting (1997)** A young janitor with extraordinary mathematical abilities is mentored by a professor and therapist to confront his emotional struggles. 13. **School of Rock (2003)** A failed musician becomes a substitute teacher at a prep school, and he teaches the kids rock music, unlocking their potential in unconventional ways. 14. **To Sir, with Love (1967)** A black engineer-turned-teacher faces challenges while teaching rebellious white high school students in London’s East End. 15. **The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)** Based on the true story of a man’s struggle with homelessness while trying to provide for his son and pursue a career in finance. ## Assignment [Google Doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tQEtdpAosB4yL-kBZq7atP7galkkuMTKVstrD2XPuXQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.hpf3z7v2c6gl) [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/c/67072223-34d4-800f-b773-c469240f0346) [Slideshow](https://gamma.app/docs/School-of-Rock-A-Musical-Comedy-of-Unconventional-Education-mf295wfs9xximek)