Health & Society

A Film Festival by Sociology Students at Michigan Technological University

November 16-Dec 6, 2021

The last two years have brought myriad challenges to our social world. Relationships between health and society have become more central than ever. In an effort to better understand various perspectives and life experiences related to health and the social institutions that shape it, students in Michigan Tech's Introduction to Sociology course this Fall 2021 put together this Film Festival. Our aim is to challenge ourselves (as sociology students), as well as our peers, family, neighbors, and the rest of the Michigan Tech community, to grapple with complex topics in "Health and Society." We seek to expand our worldviews, to challenge our assumptions, and to open constructive discussions that we hope will continue. We invite you all to participate with us. Watch a film (or several!). Join our online discussions. Share your views, critiques, examples, and stories. Together, we hope to share and learn.

How to Participate

Students selected the following films to open for discussion. We think each brings something a little different to the table. All are films that are fairly accessible and easy to find, though some require subscriptions to streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, etc.) or require small rental fees. We ask viewers to watch one or more films on your own time using your preferred method of access- how to access each film is noted in their page below. Students will be hosting live online discussion sessions using Zoom between November 16 and December 6, 2021. The discussion dates/times and join links are included at the links below.

Discussions are open to anyone interested in joining for constructive conversation. We recognize that these films and related discussions will raise difficult and sometimes conflicting views and feelings. Please review these Discussion Guidelines and keep them in mind as you participate. We really look forward to engaging with as many of you as possible. Note all times are eastern and we expect each discussion to last about one hour.

Film Line-Up

Please click on the titles below to learn more about the film, preview discussion questions, link to zoom discussion, and post to an online discussion about that film.

Contagion | 106 mins. | 2011 | Thriller/Drama. Covers global pandemic, societal cohesion in crisis. Discussion is Nov 22, 7:00pm.

Plan B | 107 mins. | 2021 | Comedy. Covers women's health, sexuality, sexism. Discussion is Nov 17, 9:00pm.

How to Survive a Plague | 110 mins. | 2012 | Documentary. Covers social activism, AIDS epidemic. Discussion is Dec 2, 7:00pm.

Crazy Water | 58 mins. | 2013 | Documentary. Covers substance abuse, Indigenous issues from Indigenous perspectives. Discussion is Nov 19, 2:00pm.

Dallas Buyers Club | 117 mins. | 2013 | Drama. Covers AIDS/HIV epidemic, health care access, homophobia, income inequality. Discussion is Tuesday, November 16th, 6:00pm.

Requiem for a Dream | 101 mins. | 2000 | Psychological Drama. Covers drug addiction and treatment. Discussion is Dec 4, 5:00pm.

For Colored Girls | 134 mins. | 2010 | Drama. Covers experiences of women of color, racism, sexism. Discussion is Dec 6, 7:00pm.

Super Size Me | 98 mins. | 2004 | Documentary. Covers food, physical health, mental health. Discussion is Nov 18, 5:00pm.

The Eugenics Crusade | 113 mins. | 2018 | Documentary. Covers eugenics, reproduction, genetics. Discussion is Nov 16, 7:00pm.

The Naked Truth: Death By Delivery | 43 mins. | 2017 | Documentary. Covers maternal health care, mortality and race. Discussion is Nov 30, 6:00pm.

The Good Death | 82 mins. | 2018 | Documentary. Covers end-of-life, terminal diagnosis, physician-assisted suicide. Discussion is Dec 4, 5:00pm.

Contact Information/Questions

Please contact Richelle Winkler (rwinkler@mtu.edu), Professor of Sociology & Demography, Michigan Technological University with any questions or concerns.

Health & Society Film Festival