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to Film Festival
Film Festival - Lord of the Flies
Thursday
- April 1, 2004
MAC Playhouse - 3:30 pm -
6:15 PM
College Now Course - Behavioral/Social
Sciences
Hosted by: Dr. Robert Singer, Professor of English
College Now English Course Coordinator
Dr. Voorhees Dunn, College Now Behavioral/Social Sciences Course Coordinator
About
the Movie:
Lord of the Flies
Director, Harry Hook 1990 - Rating PG
What makes us different
from beasts? Maybe not enough! Adapted from William Golding's novel of the
same name, Lord of the Flies is the story of a group of prep school
boys who become stranded on an island. With no adult supervision, they develop
their own society, with frightening and powerful consequences.
About the Presenter: Dr.
Voorhees Dunn
Dr. Dunn is an associate professor of political science. He
has earned B.A., M.A., and Ph.D degrees from Rutgers University. He currently
teaches American Constitutional Law, The American Legal System, and Introduction
to Criminal Justice. Prior to joining the faculty at Kingsborough, he taught
at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, The University of Texas at
Dallas, and The University of South Alabama at Mobile. As a student of history,
Dr. Dunn has always been fascinated by how civilization would collapse without
institutions that control the dark side of human nature.
Extra
Credit Assignments
Standard
College Essay
Many issues
arise from the analysis and discussion of the film, Lord of the Flies.
Some of the more personal issues involve getting along with your peer group,
the importance of having friends, working with others toward a common goal
(survival), acting against evil, not giving in to irrational fear. Some broader
social issues discussed in the film involve the importance of laws and social
order in our lives, the positive role of leadership, living without technology,
and a belief that people are social, interconnected beings, even if they don't
always act that way. There are other related personal and social issues arising
from the analysis of this film, and these are only some suggested and significant
themes to consider.
In a full-length essay (approximately 400-500 words), later to be revised
for content and correctness, discuss any of the issues raised in the film
Lord of the Flies that you consider to be of special interest either
for yourself or for society. Feel free to refer to the novel, film, or any
source of information in your essay. Explain why and how these issues are
significant not only in the film but also in relationship to your life, the
lives of other people, society, or all of these.
ACT-Prep
There have been recent
events covered in newspapers and on television involving violence and young
people: shootings at high schools, such as in Columbine, CO, and the abuse
of young athletes-both male and female-by their fellow, older teammates
in places like Long Island, NY and Florida. In these instances, athletes
were left without adult supervision, and young athletes were beaten and
humiliated as a form of "initiation" into the team. When these
events were uncovered by supervising adults, some expressed the belief that
no real crime has been committed, that "boys will be boys," and
young people had their own way of socializing, even if at times it seems
like bullying, and that this was normal, although atypical behavior. Others
felt that serious criminal activities were committed involving physical,
verbal, and even sexual assault, and that these activities required the
notification of the law and authorities. In some instances, the police filed
criminal charges against the most serious youthful offenders and the adults
who neglected to actively supervise these athletes. Some of the parents
of the athletes charged with criminal activity felt that this was "overdoing
it" and that things were exaggerated.
You have been asked to write a letter to the school newspaper in which you
will express your views concerning the issue of violence and young people.
Do you believe that young people, especially at your age level, are more/less
violent today? What are some of the obvious or likely causes of violence?
How might parents, teachers, professionals (such as social workers), and
especially other young people work to alleviate these difficult conditions?
Fully discuss your view; you may refer to recent events, other opinions,
television or newspaper coverage, or even the film Lord of the Flies.
Mini-Research
Project
(NOTE:
THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH PAPER - IT IS A RESEARCH-ORIENTATED EXPERIENCE
IN WHICH STUDENTS GATHER AND CATEGORIZE INFORMATION. THEY CAN PREPARE OUTLINES,
NOTE-CARDS, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, CITE REFERENCES, OR PRACTICE ANY COMBINATION
OF THESE SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH PREPARING A RESEARCH PAPER).
Utilizing the library and its resources, and/or material from the Internet,
prepare an investigative project that focuses on any one of these topics
associated with the film, Lord of the Flies.
a-Famous shipwrecks
b-William Golding
c-Darwinism and "survival of the fittest"
d-Literary "Dystopias"
e-England's "public school" system
Event Photos Lord of the Flies - April 1, 2004
BSS Course Coordinator,
Dr. Voorhees Dunn, and Film Festival host,
Dr. Robert Singer, prior to the screening of "Lord of the Flies."
Some BSS students from Staten Island Technical HS and their professor,
Ms. Piszko, gather for a group photo after the film.
BSS instructor Mr. Canale from Clara Barton HS gather
with his students.