Deviant Disney: Reimagining Movie Characters

Created byKeri Stevens

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Deviant Disney: Reimagining Movie Characters

Grade 10Sociology5 days

In this project, 10th-grade sociology students explore the concept of deviance by reimagining Disney/Pixar characters. Through a series of activities, students analyze how societal norms and values can be reflected and challenged by altering a character's behavior. Using sociological concepts such as roles, social status, and norms, students create profiles, motivational maps, and cultural analyses to understand deviance from multiple perspectives. The project culminates in class discussions and presentations, enhancing students' critical thinking and communication skills.

SociologyDevianceDisney CharactersSocietal NormsCultural AnalysisCritical ThinkingCommunication

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we redefine a Disney/Pixar character to explore different aspects of deviance and what does this tell us about societal norms and values?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What defines a deviant character in sociological terms?
How does changing a character's behavior reflect societal norms and values?
In what ways can deviance be both positive and negative depending on cultural perspectives?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will analyze a Disney/Pixar character by applying sociological concepts of deviance.
Students will explore how altering a character's behavior can reflect societal norms and values.
Students will evaluate the impact of cultural perspectives on the perception of deviance.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1

Primary

Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.Reason: Students will engage in discussions about deviant behavior and societal norms, requiring them to express and build on ideas clearly and persuasively.

C3 Framework for Social Studies

D2.Soc.3.9-12

Primary

Identify how social context influences individuals and groups.Reason: The project involves altering character behavior to discuss societal norms, aligning with understanding social contexts.

D2.Soc.7.9-12

Primary

Apply concepts such as role, social status, and social norms to explain social phenomena.Reason: Students will explore deviant behavior using sociological terms, requiring the application of social concepts.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Deviant Disney: Character Transformation Day

Students enter the classroom to find it decorated as a Disney/Pixar-themed wonderland. Large posters depict well-known characters alongside versions that exhibit deviant traits. Each group is assigned a character and creative task to brainstorm what might drive these beloved icons to deviate from their conventional roles, challenging students to dig into societal norms and individual motivations.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Deviant Character Deep Dive

Students will choose a character from a Disney/Pixar movie and analyze them using sociological concepts of deviance.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a Disney/Pixar character you wish to explore.

2. Research the character's traditional role and behavior in the movie.

3. Identify societal norms and values associated with the character's role.

4. Define deviance and discuss how the character can deviate from norms using sociological concepts like roles and social status.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA character profile outlining how sociological concepts apply to the character's traditional and deviant behavior.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Soc.3.9-12 by assessing how social context and societal norms influence character behavior.

Activity 2

Motivation Mapping Adventure

In this activity, students will map motivations that could cause their chosen character to deviate from their usual behavior, using sociological analysis.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the character profile and deviant traits identified in the previous activity.

2. Brainstorm and list potential motivations behind the deviant behavior.

3. Use a graphic organizer to map out potential causes of deviant behavior relative to societal norms.

4. Discuss how the character’s change in traits can reflect societal values and norms.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA motivational map that analyzes potential causes and impacts of the character's deviance.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1 by facilitating discussion on societal norms and motivations.

Activity 3

Cultural Perspective Analysis

Students will evaluate how cultural perspectives can alter the perception of deviance in their character.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Investigate various cultural perspectives on the chosen deviant behavior.

2. Compare how different cultures might interpret the character's behavior as positive or negative.

3. Write a comparative analysis on how cultural perspectives influence the understanding of deviance.

4. Present findings in a class discussion to explore diverse viewpoints.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative analysis report on cultural perspectives of deviance displayed by the character.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with D2.Soc.7.9-12 by applying concepts like social norms to analyze cultural influences.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Deviant Character Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Sociological Analysis

Assessment of understanding and application of sociological concepts such as deviance, social roles, and norms.

Criterion 1

Concept Application

Ability to accurately apply sociological concepts to analyze character behaviors.

Exemplary

4 Points

Applies sociological concepts like deviance, role, and norms with exceptional accuracy and depth, offering innovative insights into character behavior.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately applies sociological concepts to analyze character behaviors, demonstrating a thorough understanding.

Developing

2 Points

Applies some sociological concepts with partial accuracy and inconsistent analysis of character behaviors.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts to apply sociological concepts with limited accuracy and understanding.

Criterion 2

Cultural Perspective

Ability to evaluate and compare cultural perspectives on deviant behavior.

Exemplary

4 Points

Offers a comprehensive and insightful comparison of cultural perspectives on deviance, showing deep cultural understanding and thoughtful analysis.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately compares cultural perspectives on deviance, showing clear understanding and analysis.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to compare cultural perspectives, with partial understanding and basic analysis.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to compare cultural perspectives and demonstrate understanding.

Category 2

Critical Thinking

Assessment of students' ability to engage in high-level thinking to explore motivations and implications of deviant behavior.

Criterion 1

Motivation Analysis

Ability to critically analyze and map motivations behind deviant behaviors.

Exemplary

4 Points

Exhibits exceptional critical thinking in analyzing motivations, providing innovative and well-supported insights.

Proficient

3 Points

Engages effectively in motivation analysis, providing clear and well-supported insights.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts critical thinking with basic analysis and partial insights into motivations.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles with critical thinking, offering minimal insights into motivations.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation

Assessment of clarity, organization, and creativity in presenting ideas and findings.

Criterion 1

Presentation Skills

Ability to clearly and creatively communicate analysis and findings through written and oral presentations.

Exemplary

4 Points

Communicates ideas with exceptional clarity, organization, and creativity, enhancing understanding of findings.

Proficient

3 Points

Communicates ideas clearly and effectively, with good organization and some creativity.

Developing

2 Points

Communicates ideas with basic clarity and organization, lacking creative elements.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles with communicating ideas clearly, with disorganized and limited presentation.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of deviance has changed after analyzing a Disney/Pixar character in a sociological context.

Text

Required

Question 2

How effectively do you feel you applied sociological concepts to your chosen character's deviance?

Scale

Required

Question 3

In your opinion, what is the most significant motivation for your character's deviant behavior, and why?

Text

Required

Question 4

Which cultural perspective provided the most interesting viewpoint on your character's behavior, and what did you learn from it?

Multiple choice

Optional

Options

Western Perspective

Eastern Perspective

Indigenous Perspective

Other (Please specify)