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Ethics and Film: Messages, Themes, and Techniques Module 2: Stand By Me by Magaret Haun, PhD Completion Time Teaching guidelines for four feature films and one documentary comprise this module. Teachers who move through the entire module would need to set aside 15-16 hours just for viewing. (And this assumes that DVDs do not freeze, DVD players work flawlessly, and LCD projectors sync efficiently with laptops or DVD players.) The ideal situation is one where students receive plenty of pre-viewing preparation. Estimate for prep time is at least one hour per film. In my classroom, discussion takes place before, during (using the "Pause" function of the remote) and after a film. Total discussion time is hard to predict, but I cannot imagine less than 1.5 hours per film. Projects are optional but several would require multiple days. Analytical essays of 450-500 words can be completed in 55-60 minutes whether they are written in class or as a home learning assignment. Journaling would require less time-perhaps 20 minutes per film. The full unit would require between 40-50 hours. My recommendation would be to integrate the films into course content rather than importing the module into a course as a discrete film studies unit. Note: The teacher, of course, will want to preview any film before bringing it into the classroom. Stand By Me is rated R because of vulgar language. (The film does appear in film lists included in National Council of Teachers of English publications.) Because of the language issue, some of the films addressed in this module may be better suited to older student audiences.

Ethics and Film: Messages, Themes, and Techniques Module 2: Stand By Me

by Magaret Haun, PhD

Completion Time

Teaching guidelines for four feature films and one documentary comprise this module. Teachers who move through the entire module would need to set aside 15-16 hours just for viewing. (And this assumes that DVDs do not freeze, DVD players work flawlessly, and LCD projectors sync efficiently with laptops or DVD players.) The ideal situation is one where students receive plenty of pre-viewing preparation. Estimate for prep time is at least one hour per film. In my classroom, discussion takes place before, during (using the "Pause" function of the remote) and after a film. Total discussion time is hard to predict, but I cannot imagine less than 1.5 hours per film. Projects are optional but several would require multiple days. Analytical essays of 450-500 words can be completed in 55-60 minutes whether they are written in class or as a home learning assignment. Journaling would require less time-perhaps 20 minutes per film. The full unit would require between 40-50 hours. My recommendation would be to integrate the films into course content rather than importing the module into a course as a discrete film studies unit.

Note: The teacher, of course, will want to preview any film before bringing it into the classroom. Stand By Me is rated R because of vulgar language. (The film does appear in film lists included in National Council of Teachers of English publications.) Because of the language issue, some of the films addressed in this module may be better suited to older student audiences.