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Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 10:45:48 -0400 (EDT)
From: thomas conroy <conroyt@bu.edu>
Subject: Robocop: Sociology through Film
To: socgrad@csf.colorado.edu
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  In light of past discussions on both lists about the pedagogical uses 
of feature films, I am wondering if anyone has ever (a.) used a film - in 
its entirety - on the first class meeting (i.e., to set up thematics, 
starting points, arguments, etc, and to have some fun in doing so) and/or 
(b.) used the feature film ROBOCOP for teaching purposes. 

  I happened to watch this particular film last night, and, in spite of 
its obvious oversimplifications and improbabilities, was nevertheless 
rather awed by it as a piece of modern day pop cultural mythology. I'm 
teaching a six week contemporary theory course starting next week and I 
am actually thinking of starting with a showing of this - with periodic 
pauses for commentary: it is rich in sociological theoretical themes, 
including: the constancy of crime and the variability of punitive 
attitudes (Durkheim), the ubiquity of bureaucracy in modernity (Weber), as 
well as the controlling nature of capitalist elites (Marx, Althusser), 
the idea of identity as flux (Goffman, po-mo), the sacredness of the 
family, technology as instrumental reason (Weber), and the 
interactive construction and regulation of social order (SI, 
ethnomethodology). 

 So, if there are any further sociological thoughts on/readings of 
Robocop, please let me know. Thanks. 

Tom