This exercise helps us to connect the theories, concepts, and social patterns presented in the course. Select any movie that features a romantic plot. I think selecting your favorite movie would be a great choice!
This discussion demonstrates concepts from cutlure, socialization, symbolic interactionism, functional theory, and our in class discussions about romantic love.
Pick a romantic film and watch it with someone of the opposite sex. I have made suggestions at the bottom. After the movie, you can each discuss the following questions.
Take notes on the answers or you can each write your responses down separately, then compare notes. Question 4 and 5 are not related to the movie, but will help illustrate the ideas of the above listed concepts.
Summarize what happened in the movie.
What are the scenes that stick out most to you?
Which character do you relate to the most?
What are the 3 most important aspects of a relationship?
Define cheating.
Now, let's analyze the responses of a male and a female who watched the same movie.
In your write up, compare and contrast the two sets of responses (male versus female responses ).
How are the answers different? How are the answer similar? What are the values that are most important to men? to women?
How does gender socialization play a role in how men and women define (symbolic interactionism) romance, cheating, etc?
What are the dysfunctions of American love? What are functions? How do romantic relationships add to social stability? How can it create social instability?
Movie suggestions: Pride & Prejudice, A Walk to Remember, Titantic, What a Girl Wants, Just Like Heaven, Twilight
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