Film Analysis – Criminological Theory

FORMAT

• 4 -6 pages.
• Typed and double-spaced
• Use a legible font (Arial, Times New Roman)
• 12 point font
• Use preset margins on your computer.

ASSIGNMENT

Choose 1 of the following films to view:

• Boyz in the Hood
• Hoop Dreams
• Menace to Society
• The Devil’s Playground
• River’s Edge
• The Shawshank Redemption
• A Bronx Tale
• Bound By Honor/Blood In Blood Out
• Basketball Diaries
• American Me
• Thirteen
• Gone Baby Gone
• The life of David Gale
• Crash
• Carlito’s Way
• American History X
• Reckless Indifference
• My Family
• Monster

Most of the time, we view films simply for entertainment. For this assignment, you will be viewing the film from the perspective of a criminologist/sociologist. You must take a critical orientation and look for themes that exemplify concepts we have covered in this section (Rational Choice, classical criminology, Social Control, conflict criminology, consensus view, etc.).

1. Watch the movie at least twice and Choose TWO theories from our text, discussion or lecture to help analyze the events in this movie.
2. Look for scenes related to topics in our course. Take notes as needed to remember relevant scenes that may depict or support the theory you have chosen
3. Write a criminological analysis of the movie, using the outline below:
   • Movie: Title, Year Released, Director, Main Actors and Character Names
   • Short Summary: What is the main theme of the movie? What relevant subplots will you be discussing later in the paper?
   • Introduce the theory you will be using to guide your analysis. This includes a complete definition of the theory and its application in your paper

• Describe how the scenes or character helps explain the theory or how the theory is supported in the paper.
• Be as analytical as you need to be to bring your analysis to life. However, it is important you understand the theory first. The goal of the assignment is to understand the two theories you have chosen in a more applicable way.
• Conclusions: How does applying this theory to the movie help us understand better? Be sure to be specific about what it is that you understand better.