Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Free Speech and Film

Much has been made about the connection between various kinds of entertainment and social problems. Movies are often the center of such debates. Does violence in movies lead to violent actions in real life? Should filmmakers be allowed to include sexually-charged content and nudity in their movies? Are there limits to freedom of expression? In The United States, one way we have addressed these issues is through a rating system. The Motion Picture Association of America assigns a rating to each film, which defines its appropriateness, especially for children. Is this a fair and workable system? Does it make sense?

For our first movie, we will watch a documentary that addresses these questions. But first, write a one-page paper, arguing for or against our rating system. Include your own personal experiences and thoughts, as well as those of your parents/guardians (if you know them) and others.