Although television shows usually sidestep politics or anything political, many are socially conscious. Pick a television show (network, cable, Netflix, HBO) that you watch, which addresses a social issue in its storyline.
1. Identify the social issue.
2. Define its core features. [Feel free to use the Benokraitis book as a reference.]
3. Describe the role it plays in the show’s storyline (how it impacts the story).
4. Use the 4 paradigms: functionalist, symbolic interaction, conflict, and cultural materialism to interpret the social issue in the show’s story. [Do each paradigmatic interpretation separately and under its own heading.]
5. Which of the 4 paradigms helps you to best understand the social issue as presented in the show, and why?
Five full pages of written text [double spaced/no title page/name and date in header or footer]. Provide visual texts from the show [do not count these to meet the 5 page requirement].
Due January 22, 2019
Advice on the paper:
1. Identify the social issue. Let’s say your show is Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The prevailing social issue in this series is sexual abuse. State your topic. Embellish it with as much information as possible. Are the victims mostly children….girls….etc.
2. Define its core features. So the social issue is sexual abuse. Tell me something about ‘sexual abuse’. Define it. That is, what is sexual abuse…what does it refer to…what does this entail…what is the issue…why are people so concerned about it. Our book probably has some information on this, so make use of it, but you should feel free to look elsewhere for information. Make sure you provide a citation for any outside source…outside of you.
3. Describe the role it plays in the show’s storyline. Describe (DO NOT ANALYSE here…you do that in #4) how sexual abuse plays a role in the show? What story/ies do you see in this show about sexual abuse. Describe the story. Ex. in one episode, 2 elementary school children who were having problems at home fell victim to a sexual predator. Their parents were ignoring them…..this guy (hey, it’s mostly guys) was nice to them, etc., etc., etc.
4. Use the 4 paradigms: functionalist, symbolic interaction, conflict, and cultural materialism to interpret the social issue in the show’s story. Here you ANALYSE. Functionalist: What are the functions of sexual abuse as seen in this show (and of course since we are focusing on social issues…aka social problems…the dysfunctions)? Conflict: What inequality is behind/tied to the social issue – ‘our’ show – to sexual abuse? Who winning the competition…who is losing the competition. Remember for the conflict paradigm, every aspect of life is a competition with a winner and loser. Often you see inequality clearly around social issues. Symbolic Interaction: How do the people in the show think about sexual abuse? What meaning do they link to the issue? What symbols? How does this affect their actions…their interactions with others. Cultural Materialism: How does the physical environment/setting play as depicted in the show tie in with sexual abuse? How does the environment/physical setting facilitate the social issue/problem..in this case: sexual abuse. REMEMBER for each of the paradigms, you want to come to some sort of conclusion.
5. Which of the 4 paradigms helps you to best understand the social issue as presented in the show, and why? This part should come naturally to you after answering 1 through 4. Which paradigm seems to make the most sense to you to understand the social issue….as seen in your show?
Remember that this paper is to be 5 full pages. NO TITLE PAGE. Put your name and title in the header. ALSO include pictures/visual texts of the show. Remember also that these shouldn’t be counted toward reaching the 5 full pages.
