[RSCT] resources on discussing social class?

[Jennifer Schmitt]

Hi Shanti,

You should take a look at the New York Times' "Social Class in the  
United States of America."

It has a number of interactive and graphical representations of  
"class" (or what people perceive to be class), and some terrific  
articles about people across a wide spectrum of socioeconomic  
backgrounds. In itself, it could be a very engaging unit for high  
schoolers:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/national/class/

For films, you might want to consider:

Fast Food Women
Roger and Me
Real Women Have Curves
Bread and Roses
Bastard Out of Carolina
Monster's Ball
Cradle Will Rock
Erin Brockovitch
School Ties
Stand and Deliver
The Wedding Banquet
Angela's Ashes
My Fair Lady
Working Girl
Silent Films — "cross-class fantasies" that coincide with the  
Depression Era (like Charlie Chaplin's "The Tramp")

Another possibility is to critique media "branded" as "blue collar",  
such as:

Roseanne
Blue Collar TV
Family Guy (blue collar family in New England)
The Simpsons (blue collar family in the Midwest)

Best,
Jennifer Schmitt

On Oct 28, 2008, at 11:39 AM, Shanti Elliott wrote:

> I'm looking for films/film clips and short readings to help high  
> school students discuss social class in America and in their lives.   
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Shanti
>
> Shanti Elliott
> Upper School English Teacher and
> Director of Community Action
> Francis Parker School
> 330 W. Webster Ave.
> Chicago, IL 60614
> (773) 797-5402
>
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