COMS 331: Group Discussion CRASH Assignment

Here it is as promised, hope to see you there (CSUS, off Howe Ave. and Hi. 50 in The Union by the library) on Monday and NOT in our classroom at CRC, don't forget! -- S

COMS 331: Crash and Chapter 6
Cultural Context, Perspective and Stereotypes

This project will require a viewing of the film CRASH. A free viewing and discussion with the screenplay author will be held at Sac State on February 13th. The movie shows at noon and 5 and the screenwriter’s discussion is at 730pm. Hope you can make it!

Group Planning and Logistics:
Extra credit of 25 points is available if you organize, rideshare and attend within a small group, using cell phones to meet up and participate in a brief follow-up discussion on logistics only, all to be reported on the blog by Feb 20.

The assignment is as follows:
Read Chapter 6.
View the film and, if you can-hear the screenplay writer’s discussion @730pm.
Review Chapter 6.
Apply key concepts to examples from the film, including roles, confirmation bias, under representation, false dichotomies and prejudices, inferences versus facts, vividness, and correlation versus cause, group think and vigilance.

Remember: The film uses representative groups to portray “slices” of various cultures. This in itself is a generalization. Groups in the film include gender, race, ethnicity and profession as well as political. The stars of the film move in and out of various social contexts to reveal multiple perspectives and rationale for their seemingly rigid or stereotypical behaviors. For instance, in one group, Matt Dillon’s character is a cop, a member of a professional organization that seems to confuse facts with inferences and correlation with causation. But we also see him in the context of family member and son, and rescue team member and an HMO member. This entire film is constructed to open up dialogue about stereotypes that is honest and accounts for the reality that some validation exists for generalized thinking but it can be tempered by competent communication.

Group Division:
Your group can split the work in various ways: Each person takes a character and applies the concepts OR each person takes a different scene from the movie OR each person takes on a different stereotype OR each person takes a different key concept and applies various elements of the film to that concept. You should use citations from three sources, one can be the textbook and one can be the film itself. A references sheet in APA or MLA is included in the assignment. Visual aids, clips, and various interest pieces are encouraged as is audience interaction, one per group. Each group will lead a 3 minute roundtable discussion with one prompt question. Individuals should submit a three-page typed report on the film and the concepts listed above underline or bold your use of the concepts. You will share the highlights from your paper during your group presentation (2 minutes each).