Assignment Instructions
Choose one of the films below as your subject for a reflection paper addressing cultural representation as presented in a movie and discussing communication barriers that arise due to cultural differences between key characters.
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Alien |
Gran Torino |
Remember the Titans |
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A Silent Voice |
Hidden Figures |
Slumdog Millionaire |
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Avatar |
Hotel Rwanda |
Snowpiercer |
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Belle |
In the Heights |
Spanglish |
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Beast of the Southern Wild |
Joy Luck Club |
Star Trek Into Darkness |
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Bend it Like Beckham |
Million Dollar Arm |
The Help |
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Birdcage |
My Big Fat Greek Wedding |
Under the Tuscan Sun |
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Coco |
Parasite |
Witness |
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Crash |
Pretty Woman |
Wonder Woman |
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Crazy Rich Asians |
Pride and Prejudice |
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You will write a reflection paper on one of the above listed movies and you must include the following background and synopsis:
· Give an introductory synopsis, genre and the underlying theme of the film.
· Next, you will evaluate the strengths and limitations of the communicative choices made by at least three characters based on their culture. For example, in some cultures it is not appropriate to question authority, so how would this influence the way a child may speak to a parent or student may speak to an instructor? Explain with examples. Do you see signs of ethnocentrism? Is there a character who experiences culture shock or has a difficult time becoming acculturated to a new culture? Do we see examples of collectivism versus individualism, high context versus low context, or masculine versus feminine? Be sure to include specific examples from the film to support your observations. Apply what you have learned in class and in the text on culture in your analysis.
· What type of communication barriers existed between the characters in the movie due to cultural differences? List at least three examples. For example, what difficulties might arise when someone from an individualistic culture communicates with someone from a collectivist culture?
· What advice would you give these characters to improve their communication/interactions?
You will also reflect on the following:
· Did you enjoy the movie? Why or why not? Give solid opinions for the reasons.
· Identify at least three differences/similarities between your culture and the culture(s) portrayed in the movie.
· Explain what you most/least appreciated in the movie.
· Explain one or more things that you have learned that you want to share with others.
A detailed rubric describing how the reflection paper will be graded is provided in the link below. Your paper should be 4 to 5 pages (1400 – 1750 words) in MLA format.
If you would prefer to write a reflection paper on a movie that is not listed above, please send an email with your request as you will need prior approval.
To submit this assignment, upload your Word document in the box below.
