Extra+Credit+Movies


 * Extra Credit Movies and Questions **

**Environmental Issues and History**
ERIN BROCKOVICH
 * 1) “She brought a small town to its feet and a huge corporation to its knees.” This quote is on the front of the DVD. Explain how it's true.
 * 2) What problems/roadblocks must Erin overcome to achieve justice in the film?

**Immigration**
THE GOLDEN DOOR (Sicilian family coming to America)
 * 1) What were the push and pull factors for the Sicilian family in the film //The Golden Door//?
 * 2) Describe two challenging aspects of the journey to the United States as shown in the film.
 * 3) Describe how Ellis Island tested the physical and psychological well-being of immigrants? Do you think these tests were fair? Explain.

GOD GREW TIRED OF US (The Lost Boys Coming to the U.S.)
 * 1) Why did the Lost Boys have to flee their homes?
 * 2) What are some of the challenges the Lost Boys encounter in coming to the United States? What are some challenges they face upon arriving in their new communities?
 * 3) What community-building strategies have the Lost Boys practiced both within the refugee camps and once resettled in the United States?
 * 4) What sense of responsibility do the Lost Boys feel toward each other and toward their families and friends still in Africa? In what ways are they trying to improve their own lives and those of their families and friends?
 * 5) Research one aspect of immigration in the late 19th century and __compare it to the experience of the Lost Boys__. Be specific.
 * 6) Discuss how John Bul was a success as an immigrant. Discuss a way in which some of the Lost Boys had difficulty succeeding in the U.S. (REQUIRED)

EL NORTE
 * 1) What are the immediate and long term conditions that lead Enrique and Rosa to migrate?
 * 2) Is leaving seen as a cultural break? How is this indicated? Do they believe they will return to the village?
 * 3) How does the migration system link to the underground economy?
 * 4) What is the ethnic and gender division of Rosa and Enrique’s jobs?
 * 5) In what ways are social networks important to them? How does it help them?
 * 6) How does being illegal affect their lives (employment opportunities, access to health and educations services, sense of security)?
 * 7) At one point in the film Rosa asks, "where are the Gringos?". What does her question tell you about the urban spatial structure?

IN AMERICA
 * 1) Discuss the push and pull immigration factors in this film?
 * 2) What aspects of this film do not present the "classic" immigration story?

MADE IN L.A.
 * 1) What is a sweatshop? Describe the conditions of the sweatshops you saw in “Made in L.A.”
 * 2) In the film, Maria says, “I thought it would be different here… to study, to have a career… to be happy. I was full of dreams.” What reasons (push and pull factors) did the women in the film give for coming to the United States? How do these reasons compare to those of immigrants from the past?
 * 3) What similarities and differences do you see in how immigrants to the U.S. have historically been treated and how they are treated in the film (cite specific examples from the film to compare)? Has anything changed?
 * 4) If it were up to you to make the decision, would you grant the undocumented workers that you meet in the film legal residence status and the opportunity to become U.S. citizens? Why or why not?
 * 5) **How do Lupe, Maria, and Maura try to improve their working conditions? Are they successful? (REQUIRED)**
 * 6) Ultimately, the garments that Lupe, Maria, or Maura produce end up in retail stores. What is the role of consumers in the film? What are our responsibilities as consumers?

UNDER THE SAME MOON
 * 1) What are the push and pull factors for Rosario? How do immigration laws affect Rosario's effort to get to the United States?
 * 2) What are the push and pull factors for Carlito? What factors assisted him in his effort to get to the United States?

** Wars in U.S. History **
FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY (WWII and the Atomic Bomb)
 * 1) General Groves receives a new assignment at the beginning of the movie and is upset about it. What did he want to do instead?
 * 2) When General Groves addresses the scientists, what does he say the atomic bomb will be called? Why?
 * 3) What is the responsibility of the scientists according to Oppenheimer?
 * 4) What are the two main problems that Oppenheimer says the weapon has?
 * 5) When Oppenheimer seems to be unsure about using “the device” how does General Groves get him back on track?

One of these last two questions IS REQUIRED:
 * 1) As the movie develops, we are exposed to many arguments for and against dropping the atomic bomb. What are two convincing arguments from both sides.
 * 2) After the successful detonation of the Trinity Test, Oppenheimer is greeted as a hero. The smile leaves his face as he sees a happy General Groves. Why?

SIR! NO SIR! (Documentary: The Rise of the Anti-War movement during the Vietnam War)
 * 1) Why do you think so few uniformed Americans are moved to resistance today when so many were in insurgency just a generation ago?
 * 2) In what ways did the GI Movement manifest itself?
 * 3) How did the movement change over time? How did it gain influence?
 * 4) Do you think the GI Movement caused a parallel movement outside the military? Explain.

** Asian-Americans in U.S. History **
GRAN TORINO (RATED R: Need permission slip)
 * 1) What is the difference between prejudice and racism? Was Walt prejudiced or a racist? Use specific examples from the film to back up your stance.
 * 2) Why does Walt's attitude toward his neighbors begin to change? What did he do to show his attitude had changed? To what extent do you think this could be a remedy for all prejudiced Americans? Give a specific current example (either from the news or your personal experience).

VINCENT WHO?
 * 1) Was Vincent Chin's murder a hate crime? If so, why were the murderers not put in jail?
 * 2) What was the effect of the murder/verdict on Asian Americans - immediately and over time. Give at least THREE specific examples.

** Civil Rights in U.S. History - African American (Pre 1950) **
12 YEARS A SLAVE
 * 1) Explain how's Solomon's literacy became a tool to achieve his freedom.
 * 2) Did Solomon ever stand up to the oppressiveness of slavery? Give two examples FROM THE FILM to back up your answer.

RACE: (JESSE OWENS)
 * 1) Jesse Owens has been described as the "quintessential American" because he stood up to racism at home and abroad. Please give an example, from the film, showing how Jesse stood up to racism both at home (US) and in Germany during the Olympics.
 * 2) Why did the NAACP not support Owens' Olympic dream? How did he respond in the film?

42: THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY
 * 1) We've often discussed how learning about someone will break stereotypes and bring understanding and acceptance. Is this true of Jackie's teammates in the film //42//? Give two specific examples from the film.
 * 2) Is Branch Rickey an example of a "white ally" (you may need to do a Google search to learn about this term)? Explain your answer using specific examples from the film.
 * 3) Branch tells Jackie he’s looking for a player with the courage not to fight back. Did Jackie do this? Was it easy? How might things have turned out differently if Jackie had given in and lost his temper on the field?

AMISTAD LINCOLN
 * 1) Who is the hero in the film //Amistad//? Why? Do you think the film hero matches the heroes at the time of the actual incident? Explain (REQUIRED)
 * 2) In your opinion, what was the most powerful argument used to free the African natives presented before the Supreme court?
 * 1) Why did Lincoln insist that the 13th Amendment be ratified in early 1865?
 * 2) What did Lincoln and his supporters do to ensure the 13th Amendment would pass? (Give specific examples from the film).

THE GREAT DEBATERS
 * 1) What happens after James Farmer, Sr. hits the pig with his car? How does this affect James, Jr.?
 * 2) Why is the lynching scene so important in the film? How does it affect James immediately (his conversation with Lowe) and later (the debate with Harvard)?? REQUIRED

UNFORGIVABLE BLACKNESS
 * 1) Why have definitions of race changed in the past 90 years?
 * 2) What were some laws that demarcated segregation in the Jim-Crow-era in the South?
 * 3) What were informal and formal penalties for crossing the color line?
 * 4) What were some of Jack Johnson’s methods for surmounting the color line?
 * 5) Why did Johnson’s victory help undermine the theory of white racial superiority?
 * 6) Black leader (like Booker T. Washington) felt that Johnson himself heightened the problem associated with him. Do you agree? Does Johnson deserve any of the blame? REQUIRED

SCOTTSBORO: AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY
 * 1) How might the socio-economic background of both the accusers and the defendants have helped shape the events of the case?
 * 2) In //Powell v. Alabama// (1932), the Court ruled that the Scottsboro defendants were denied the right to counsel, which violated their right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. What is meant by the phrase "right to counsel"? According to the Court, how had the Scottsboro defendants been denied this right?
 * 3) In //Norris v. Alabama// (1935), the Court ruled that the exclusion of blacks from jury rolls deprived black defendants of their rights to equal protection under the law. What was the main evidence that blacks had been excluded from jury rolls? Why would this exclusion deprive black defendants of their rights to equal protection under the law?
 * 4) If you were advising the defendants, would you take the jury's potential prejudices into account in selecting a lawyer and a funding source, or would that only reinforce the prejudices you are attempting to fight?

MISS EVERS’ BOYS
 * 1) What does Ms. Evers' opening recitation of the nurse's pledge do for the story?
 * 2) What was the reason that syphilis was not considered worthy of government research funds?
 * 3) Why didn't the "boys" receive penicillin when it became available? How did Dr. Douglas defend his refusal to allow government patients to receive penicillin?
 * 4) What is Brodus' answer when he is accused of not helping his own race? Is there any validity to his position?
 * 5) The study participants were offered "free doctoring." In your judgment, what were some of the ways that this promise was met and and what were some ways it was not met (a question of treatment vs. research).
 * 6) What did many people believe in 1932 that high disease rates proved about African-Americans?
 * 7) Why is Miss Evers answering questions asked by a U.S. Senator?

ONLY THE BALL WAS WHITE (Worth THREE Points - it's only 1/2 hour)
 * 1) Who was Josh Gibson? How was he the perfect example of how the Negro League affected black ball players?
 * 2) When and why did the color line collapse in baseball? Explain the factors that led to the end of the Negro League.
 * 3) How was the Negro League affected by Jim Crow?
 * 4) "When you're doing something you love to do, ain't nothing lousy about it." What does this mean with respect to the film? Did many of the black ball players share this attitude?

Civil Rights in U.S. History - African American (Civil Rights Movement)
BROTHER OUTSIDER (Bayard Rustin)
 * 1) The opening quote in the film states, "The proof that one truly believes is in action." Give an example of Bayard Rustin following this quote before he worked with Martin Luther King, Jr.. Also, give an example of Rustin following this quote after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.
 * 2) What was Rustin's public stance on the Vietnam War? Why was this stance disappointing to so many of his supporters?

THE BUTLER
 * 1) Late in the film, Martin Luther King, Jr., tells Lewis that domestic help (like butlers) aren't subservient, but actually "subversive without even knowing it." What does this mean, and do you think it's true?
 * 2) What events led Cecil to change his mind about his son Lewis?
 * 3) Why did people like Cecil have to wear two faces? Do you think this is still true today?

THE UNTOLD STORY OF EMMETT LOUIS TILL
 * 1) How do we know (for a fact) that those who killed Emmett Till were never brought to justice?
 * 2) The FBI reopened the Till case shortly after this film was released. What evidence was uncovered by Keith Beauchamp that warranted reopening of the case?
 * 3) The film shows Mamie Till reflecting on the case and her son. What did she say that affected you the most? Please refer to specific statements made by Mamie Till.

THE GOOD FIGHT (JAMES FARMER REMEMBERS THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT)
 * 1) James Farmer once said, "Courage is not being unafraid, but doing what needs to be done in spite of fear." Please give two specific examples FROM THE VIDEO that prove that he lived by his own words.
 * 2) Discuss two negative effects of the Civil Rights Movement on James Farmer's life.

MIGHTY TIMES
 * 1) How was Mrs. Parks “raised a little different”?
 * 2) What happened when Mrs. Parks first encountered bus driver James Blake in 1943? What did she do when he told her to get off the bus and re-enter through the side door? How do you think this episode influenced her actions more than a decade later?
 * 3) What did Mrs. Parks learn at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee? How do you think her experiences at Highlander inspired her when she returned to Montgomery?
 * 4) How were young people involved in the Montgomery Bus Boycott? What roles did teenagers perform?
 * 5) What qualities did the newly hired minister Martin Luther King Jr. bring to the boycott?
 * 6) What economic effects did the boycott have on the city? How many white people in Montgomery react to the boycott? Why did some whites help with the boycott? How did the Supreme Court rule on Montgomery’s bus segregation laws?

HIDDEN FIGURES
 * 1) This film is about race. Mention two __specific__ scenes where race plays a role in the film.
 * 2) This film is about gender. Mention two __specific__ scenes where gender plays a role in the film.

THE HELP (film)
 * 1) The preacher discusses courage in one of his sermons. How does this sermon affect Aibeleen?
 * 2) Skeeter's mother states that "sometime courage skips a generation." What did she mean by this? Be sure to address how she meant it about herself and Skeeter.
 * 3) Who was Medgar Evers? How did his story affect events in //The Help//?
 * 4) In what ways was Skeeter selfish? In what ways was she truly a "white ally" to the African American community in Jackson, Mississippi?
 * 5) In class we watched a short clip about Emmett Till. In it, he broke one of the unwritten rules of the South - he talked "fresh" to a white woman. Give 3 examples of unwritten rules governing white/black relations in the film. Did any African American character break a rule? REQUIRED

THE CHILDREN’S MARCH
 * 1) What was Birmingham's nickname and why?
 * 2) When was the white tank used? Have you ever seen a white tank anywhere before? What might a white tank symbolize to white people? What might it symbolize to black people?
 * 3) The film states, "Under Bull Connor, Birmingham was the closest thing in America to a police state." What is a police state? Do you agree - was Birmingham a police state?
 * 4) Why couldn't the parents or adults protest? What would happen to them if they did protest?
 * 5) What does it mean to "meet violence with non-violence"? What would it look like?
 * 6) Dr. King said in a strategy session that "the only way we're going to break Birmingham is to fill the jails." What do you think a strategy session is? Why is it important?
 * 7) Why do you think that Dr. King said "no," at first, to kids going to jail?
 * 8) Shelley "The Playboy" told the kids that "there's going to be a party in the park today." What did he mean?
 * 9) What did the children's teacher, Mrs. Goree, do to help them go to the march?
 * 10) Kelly Ingram Park was the big green buffer between black Birmingham and the white downtown. Do buffers exist between groups in your community?
 * 11) Gwen Webb says, "A lot of people thought the kids were going to get hurt, but the reality was that we were born black in Alabama and we were going to get hurt if we didn't do something." What did she mean by this?

SELMA
 * 1) During their second march which has since become known as Turnaround Tuesday, as the marchers came face-to-face with the police, Dr. King Jr. kneeled down to pray and after a few minutes turned around and headed back in the direction of Selma. Why did he do this and how did some within the movement (particularly SNCC) react to this movement by Dr. King?
 * 2) Discuss at least ONE white ally in the film. Be sure to discuss what happened and why you consider that character a white ally of the African American civil rights movement.

LOVING
 * 1) Discuss the Loving's life once they got married. What happened to them? Where did they go? What was the most significant event that made them want to challenge the "illegal" nature of their marriage in Virginia?
 * 2) Discuss the Lovings life once they returned to Virginia.
 * 3) Why was the Life photographer so important to the story of the Lovings?

TWO TOWNS OF JASPER
 * 1) Compare the discussion at the Unav's beauty shop with the discussion at the "Bubba's in Training".
 * 2) What did the radio announcer believe the Confederate flag represented? How is this a result of white privilege?
 * 3) Discuss the difference between prejudice and bias. Give one SPECIFIC example from the film of prejudice and bias.
 * 4) In the end, do you think the town of Jasper learned anything from James Byrd's death. Think about this from the viewpoint of the white and black communities of Jasper.

CITIZEN KING
 * 1) What was the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and what role did it play in the civil rights movement?
 * 2) Why did Martin Luther King, Jr. focus on economic issues in the civil rights struggle?
 * 3) What relationship, if any, do you think exists between poverty and violence? Give two current examples.
 * 4) What was the short-term and long-term effect of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech?

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (FILM)
 * 1) How does the relationship between Tibbs and Gillespie change throughout the film? How was the relationship used as a commentary on racial relationships.
 * 2) Give two examples that PROVE this film is set during the era of Redemption.

THE MURDER OF FRED HAMPTON
 * 1) What was the ultimate impact of the Black Panther Party on United States’ history?
 * 2) Who was Fred Hampton? Why was he such a popular figure in Chicago?
 * 3) Do you think the Black Panther’s actions (prior to Hampton's murder) were effective in promoting their goals? If not, what should they have done instead?
 * 4) The filmmaker believed that Fred Hampton had been murdered. What evidence was given to back up this stance?
 * 5) How did Fred Hampton’s death affect the black and white communities of Chicago? REQUIRED

MURDER IN MISSISSIPPI (FILM)
 * 1) “Murder in Mississippi” is also the name of a Norman Rockwell painting. Search for this image online. What is your reaction to it? How does it fit into what you saw in the film "Murder in Mississippi"
 * 2) James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman (the other activist murdered with them) were only a few years older than you when they died. In fact, most of the activists during the Mississippi Freedom Summer were college students. How would you have responded if asked to participate in the Freedom Summer?
 * 3) Why would white students from northern schools want to participate since Jim Crow did not directly affect them?
 * 4) The NAACP and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference opposed the Freedom Summer. Why would they oppose this activism?
 * 5) What difficulties did the activist have with each other? Did it surprise you that they had issues with each other when they were fighting for similar goals? How well did they overcome these issues? **REQUIRED**
 * 6) What were James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner and Andrew Goodman trying to accomplish in Mississippi? What methods were they using to accomplish their goals? What methods were used by Southerners to prevent the success of their goals.

PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI
 * 1) Why is John Ellis embarrassed to tell his black friends that he was elected prom king at the white prom?
 * 2) Several of the students in this movie blame the adults in their lives for keeping racism alive in their city. Please discuss how this was proved true in the film. Use specific examples from the film.
 * 3) Give an example of someone in the film who is racist but doesn't believe they are. Be sure to give background and specific events from the film in your example.

PRECIOUS (FILM, RATED R: Permission slip needed)
 * 1) In what ways is the film an indictment of the welfare system? How does the film support this same system?
 * 2) Name one character you think is a "hero" in this film. Please discuss at least two scenes from the film to support your claim.

Hispanic/Mexican-American/Latino Civil Rights in U.S. History
CRUZ REYNOSO: SOWING THE SEEDS OF JUSTICE
 * 1) What was the effect of Reynoso losing his seat on the court?
 * 2) How did Reynoso’s background influence his pursuit of education and career?
 * 3) Describe Reynoso’s attempts to eradicate discrimination and inequality.
 * 4) What particular injustices seemed most unfair to Reynoso, and how did he work to change them?

VIVA LA CAUSA
 * 1) What kind of injustices did the workers hope to undo by going on strike? How did these injustices undermine their humanity?
 * 2) What is non-violence, and what role did it play in the struggle?
 * 3) Why did the strikers need help from others? What kinds of things did the strikers ask them to do in support of la causa? Why were the actions of these allies important?
 * 4) What factors motivated people to get involved in La Causa? REQUIRED
 * 5) What did workers gain as a result of the strike and boycott?
 * 6) What did our nation gain in the process?
 * 7) The title of the film is Viva La Causa, which means, “Long live the cause.” What message is the filmmaker trying to send you?

AMERICAN ME (FILM, RATED R: Permission slip needed)
 * 1) Discuss gender roles in the film. How consistent are these roles throughout the film. For example, does Santana stay the same "male" role throughout?
 * 2) After watching the film, what do you think the "message" is?

CESAR CHAVEZ (FILM, PG-13)
 * 1) Discuss the grape boycott as shown in the film? What led to the success of the boycott?
 * 2) Discuss the growers in the film? How did they respond to Chavez? Please give at least (2) specific examples from the film.

General Civil Rights in U.S. History
FRUITVALE STATION (RATED R: Need permission slip)
 * 1) How is this a movie about civil rights and race relations? Be as specific as possible using information from the film (refer to scenes).
 * 2) How did technology and eyewitness accounts affect the ability to tell the story of Oscar Grant? Do you think the director was correct to include this in the movie? Why or why not?

CRASH (RATED R: Need permission slip)
 * 1) Discuss each character’s relevance in the story.
 * 2) Should Tommy (police officer) have done anything differently to stop Officer John Ryan from treating the Thayers the way he did when he pulled them over? What should he have done?
 * 3) Name the different stereotypes you heard in this movie. Is stereotyping a bad practice? REQUIRED
 * 4) Is there a character in this film with whom it is impossible for us to sympathize? Who? Why? Use specific examples from the film and keep in mind each character’s “arc” as you create your argument.
 * 5) Choose one character and outline how (or if) s/he is “redeemed.” Remember the various definitions of this term we’ve discussed in class.
 * 6) What might the falling snow in L.A. at the end of the film symbolize?

DEAD MAN WALKING (RATED R: Need permission slip) THE SHADOW OF HATE
 * 1) What had Matthew Poncelet done to be sentenced to death for his crimes? Was there anything about his character that made you agree with this sentence? Please refer to specific examples from the film.
 * 2) Sister Helen Prejean once said, "’m not saying that Patrick Sonnier (the actual killer that Matthew Poncelet's character was partially based upon) or any of the condemned killers I’ve accompanied were heroes. I do not glorify them. I do not condone their terrible crimes. But each of these men was a human being, and each had a transcendence, a dignity, which shouldassure them of two very basic human rights that the United Nations UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights calls for: the right not to be tortured, the right not to be killed.” In what ways did the film make you agree with the above statement. Please refer to specific scenes from the film in your answer.
 * 1) According to the film, how has intolerance been expressed in American history? REQUIRED
 * 2) What are some of the underlying causes of intolerance?
 * 3) How does intolerance violate the founding principles of our country?
 * 4) What examples of intolerance can you think of in your own school or community today?
 * 5) What can be done to improve these situations? How can you help?

LOOKING FOR LINCOLN
 * 1) Did Lincoln’s views on slavery change throughout his presidency? If so, how?
 * 2) Describe the most significant events of Lincoln’s presidency.
 * 3) Why do you think Lincoln didn’t let the South secede?
 * 4) How did the Emancipation Proclamation influence the conflict?

AMERICAN HISTORY X (R rated: Permission slip needed)
 * 1) Why did Derek join the skinhead movement? What occurred in prison that made Derek realize that the skinhead movement was wrong?
 * 2) Derek's brother, Danny, is assigned to write an essay about Derek. What did Danny write about in his essay? How did he end the essay? Explain the significance of how he ended the essay.
 * 3) Compare and contrast the films Gran Torino and American History X (10 points).

MATEWAN (FILM) > a. religion vs. union > b. town vs. country > c. owners vs. workers
 * 1) What motivates Joe Kenehan? Does he ever alter his goals? In the end does he succeed in achieving his goals? Why or why not?
 * 2) John Sayles said that he created the character of Danny Radnor to be someone who Joe would struggle to save. Explain how this is evident in the film. Does Joe ultimately "save" Danny? Why or why not?
 * 3) This is a film full of conflict--in fact, it is a film about conflict and about different ways to come to terms with it. Discuss the conflict below in the context of the film.

AMERICAN TEEN
 * 1) What are the similarities between the events (or characters) in "American Teen" and your own experiences at Davis Senior High School?
 * 2) Do you identify with any characters or experiences in the film? Explain.
 * 3) Do you feel that any particular part of the film is an inaccurate portrayal of high school life? Why?
 * 4) What are the struggles experienced by the main characters in the film? Do you think these are accurate and still existent struggles of high school students today?

Women's Civil Rights in U.S. History
COLD MOUNTAIN (RATED R: Need permission slip)
 * 1) How does Cold Mountain portray the role of women (Ada and Ruby) during the American Civil War? Give specific evidence from the film to illustrate this.
 * 2) Discuss "desertion" in the film? How is it portrayed (Inman)? How do you view it AFTER having seen the film?

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
 * 1) Why was someone of her class so interested in social work?
 * 2) Was she successful at influencing social policy systems?
 * 3) Do you believe Eleanor Roosevelt's public actions good for the country? For the presidency?
 * 4) Eleanor Roosevelt once remarked of the first lady's job, "The wives, of course, have certain official obligations, but they are certainly not responsible for their husband's policies. And they do not have to feel that sense of obligation at every point to uphold the ideas of the man of the family." Did she always publicly agree with his policies? Did she do so even if privately she disagreed? Why?
 * 5) In your opinion, did Eleanor influence FDR? Give proof to back up your belief.

IRON JAWED ANGELS (FILM)
 * 1) What happened to Inez that made Alice almost quit the movement? Why did Alice react this way and what made her change her mind?
 * 2) What was the significance of this quote (Alice to Emily Leighton): "You women are worse than the anti-suffragists. You perpetuate the lie everyday at breakfast." Why did Alice say this to Emily? Explain this quote, “You can't fight democracy abroad and then deny it at home” (Lucy to Alice quoting President Wilson).
 * 3) What did women do at the White House to protest not having the vote? How did men react?
 * 4) What were some of the qualities of the friendship between Alice and Lucy? In what ways was their friendship responsible for getting women the right to vote?

Gay / Transgender Civil Rights in U.S. History
BULLIED (3 points)
 * 1) How was Jamie Nabozny bullied? Give specific examples of bullying faced by him at school.
 * 2) Why did Jamie file a lawsuit? What was the constitutional basis for the lawsuit?

MILK (FILM BY GUS VAN ZANDT), (RATED R: Need permission slip)
 * 1) How did Harvey Milk's appearance and attitudes change as the movie progressed? Why do you think they changed? REQUIRED
 * 2) Did the entire gay community support Harvey Milk? Give evidence from the film to back up your stance.
 * 3) Why did Harvey support other groups - like his support for the Teamsters Union?
 * 4) What were THREE important social justice themes in the film?

THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK (DOCUMENTARY)
 * 1) Harvey Milk had run for supervisor and lost several times. What did he do differently in his final campaign that led to his election?
 * 2) Once elected, Milk governed as a supervisor for all San Franciscans. Give two examples that prove he wasn't just a supervisor for gay rights, but he was a supervisor for everyone. REQUIRED
 * 3) Why did Milk think it important that gay people "come out of the closet"?

PHILADELPHIA (FILM, RATED R: Permission slip needed)
 * 1) Why was Andy fired from his law firm? Give proof from the film that shows that it was a biased firiing.
 * 2) "We also have to recognize ... (the) risk in not knowing the people around you."? To what extent does this film help illustrate this quote?

TRANSAMERICA (FILM, RATED R: Permission slip needed)
 * 1) This is a film about transformation. How is Bree transformed in more than a physical "sex change" way? Use a few examples from the film to guide your answer.
 * 2) What are some challenges that Bree faced as a transgender woman? Give at least three scene specific examples to highlight her difficulties.

DALLAS BUYER'S CLUB (FILM, RATED R: Permission slip needed)
 * 1) To what extent is this a film about gay rights and acceptance? Illustrate your answer with specific scenes from the film.
 * 2) What comment is being made about the drug industry in the United States? Illustrate your answer with specific scenes from the film.

Native American Civil Rights in U.S. History
SMOKE SIGNALS
 * 1) What does being an Indian mean to Victor and Thomas? What challenges do their experience due to their Indian heritage?
 * 2) Name THREE specific stereotypes (in the film) about Indians? How do Indians respond to these stereotypes? Why do they respond in this manner?

INCIDENT AT OGLALA
 * 1) What was occurring on the Pine Ridge Reservation prior to the "Incident at Oglala" (which occurred in 1975) that affected the traditional Native Americans on the reservation? REQUIRED
 * 2) What issues were dividing the Native American population at Pine Ridge?

Disabled American Civil Rights in U.S. History
WARM SPRINGS
 * 1) How did Franklin Roosevelt's bout with polio change him throughout the film? Give specific evidence.
 * 2) In what ways did Franklin Roosevelt fight for equal treatment for those stricken with polio?

** Political and Economic Issues in American History **
SWEET LAND
 * 1) Olaf says "banking and farming don't mix". Why did he say this? Give specific information from the movie to support your answer.
 * 2) Why can't Olaf and Inge get married? Give at least TWO reasons. Would it have been easier for them to get married ten years earlier?

CRADLE WILL ROCK
 * 1) Robbins combines several unrelated events into this film (eg: Rockefeller & Rivera) do they distract from the primary storyline or do they provide opportunities to further the discussion of censorship?
 * 2) Give 5 examples from the film that show the EFFECTS of the Great Depression. REQUIRED
 * 3) Research the current issue with NPR. Compare it to the storyline in //Cradle Will Rock//.

TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM
 * 1) What product did he produce first? How did Preston Tucker get started? In other words, what were the steps that were involved?
 * 2) Explain the characteristics of an Entrepreneur? Was Tucker an Entrepreneur?
 * 3) Was Tucker ethical? Explain. What does it mean to be ethical in all of your business pursuits?
 * 4) Discuss at least three methods used by Tucker’s opponents to prevent his car from being offered to the public.
 * 5) Is this film a good example of Social Darwinism? Explain.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK
 * 1) Discuss and summarize the early events that led to the creation of Facebook. What was Mark Zuckerberg's role in the creation? In your opinion did he steal the idea? Give specifics from the film?
 * 2) How is this film an example of Social Darwinism? Give examples.

CINDERELLA MAN (PG-13)
 * 1) Discuss at least three specific examples from the film that shows it was set during the Great Depression.
 * 2) Do you think Jim Braddock was a "typical" man in the late 1920s to early 1930s? Explain.

GUILTY BY SUSPICION
 * 1) Why was David Merrill under suspicion from HUAC? Name specific events and ideas from the movie (don't just say, they thought he was communist).
 * 2) Give 3 specific examples that prove that David Merrill's life was turned upside-down by the HUAC blacklisting.
 * 3) How was Dorothy Nolan affected by HUAC?
 * 4) The Un-American Activies Committee (HUAC) was frequently ineffective. Why? What proof is there in the film that this committee was not successful? (REQUIRED)

GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK
 * 1) How does the film present Senator McCarthy? How does knowing it is archive footage of McCarthy being used rather than an actor affect your opinion of him? Why?
 * 2) Why do you think Murrow and Friendly decide that the truth about McCarthy should be talked about and explored on the air? Why does this scare the program's bosses? Why do you think it is so important that the truth be uncovered?
 * 3) Why does the story of Lieutenant Milo Radulovitch become so important? How does it help demonstrate McCarthy's failings in his hunt for communists? What does Radulovitch's eventual reinstatement represent to Murrow and his team? **REQUIRED**
 * 4) How could Murrow's speech which bookends the film be seen as a criticism of today's media? Do you agree with him? Why/why not? What do you think the role of the media today should be?

FROST/NIXON
 * 1) What did Richard Nixon hope to achieve through his interviews with David Frost? What did David Frost hope to achieve through his interviews?
 * 2) How did David Frost get former President Richard Nixon to open up about his knowledge and involvement in Watergate? In the end, what role did Nixon admit he played in Watergate?

BOB ROBERTS
 * 1) Discuss the significance of music in the film //Bob Roberts//. Think in terms of how it helped the candidate (lyrics, etc.) gain popularity. Be specific.
 * 2) //Bob Roberts//​ is a satire. However, as with any good satire, much of its content relates directly to real-life politics (even though it was made in 1990, many say parts of //Bob Roberts// is still relevant today). Discuss __three aspects__ of the film that are a reality in today's modern politics.

** Foreign Policy Issues in American History **
THREE KINGS
 * 1) How is "Three Kings" an anti-war film? Give specific evidence from the film to back up your stance
 * 2) How does the film illustrate the difficulties associated with being an occupying army? Give two examples from the film that illustrate this difficulty.

INSIDE NORTH KOREA (NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC)
 * 1) What are three examples of the "cult-like" environment of North Korea? REQUIRED
 * 2) Why is North Korea a concern of the United States? Give specific examples from the video.
 * 3) What aspects of Lisa Ling's trip to North Korea make you suspect that she wasn't being shown the "true" nature of life in North Korea?

ARGO
 * 1) Why were some Iranians so angry that they would take American hostages?
 * 2) What role did the C.I.A. play in the film? Be sure to refer to specific information from the film.