# data[].attributes.headline
Week 1 - Introduction to Power and Resistance

# data[].attributes.subject
Week 1 - Introduction to Power and Resistance

# data[].attributes.body
What is Power?

Power has a lot of meanings. The extended definition of power, according to the 'Cultural Theory' is:

"Most usually power is taken to mean the exercise of force or control over individuals or particular social groups by other individuals or groups. Power, in this view, is something extrinsic to the constitution of both individuals and society."

Two important philosophers who studied Power:

Antonio Gramsci:
- A Marxist philosopher in the 1930s
- His main idea was based on Hegemony and common sense
- Hegemony: the term is derived from Greece meaning 'leader', 'guide' or 'ruler'. He used this term to explain dominance by a specific group or class in contemporary capitalism. His main argument was control cannot be maintained through the use of violence or force.

- Gramsci said:

"Common sense is not a single unique conception, identical in time and space. It is that “folklore” of philosophy, and, like folklore, it takes countless different forms. Its most fundamental characteristic is that it is a conception which, even in the brain of one individual, is fragmentary, incoherent and inconsequential, in conformity with the social and cultural position of those masses whose philosophy it is." ​

Michel Foucault:
- Philosopher, Social Theorist
- His main idea was related with power and resistance. He believed that where there is power, there is resistance. He said "If there was no resistance there would be no relations of power. Because everything would be simply a question of obedience. From the moment an individual is in the situation of not doing what they want, they must use relations of power."
- He also believed in technologies of the self which is about methods and techniques through which human beings constitute themselves. This also relates to self-management/self-care
​
- Foucault said:

“It seems to me, that the real political task in a society such as ours is to criticise the working of institutions which appear to be both neutral and independent; to criticise in such a manner that the political violence which has always exercised itself obscurely through them will be unmasked, so that one can fight them.”

# data[].attributes.body
Possible Cultural Artefacts I'd like to explore (films):

- Hidden Figures: exploring the power of black woman in the similar time period and how they rose to gain respect from NASA and their executives, proving themselves that they could be a huge asset to putting the first man on the moon.

- The Trial Of Chicago: exploring the protests/individuals how power was shown in the film and how accurate it was.

- Judas and the Black Messiah: exploring the group 'the Black Panthers' and how the chairman, Fred Hampton, portrayed power during his speeches and seminars.

- Blackkklansman: exploring the power that the KKK had and the clashes between other cultural groups.

# data[].attributes.headline
Week 3 - Working towards my lead question

# data[].attributes.subject
Week 3 - Working towards my lead question

# data[].attributes.body
Possible questions I've been working towards:

To what extent is Power portrayed throughout the film The Trial of Chicago 7?

How well does The Trial of Chicago 7 portray power?

In The Trial of Chicago 7, who presents the most power?

In relation to the protests against the Democratic National Conventions in Chicago, how well does The Trial Of Chicago 7 portray power during this time period?

When does the Trial of Chicago 7 show accurate presentations of power?

# data[].attributes.body
What I propose to write about (rough ideas):

- Re-watching the film (multiple times?) to identify the key moments that portray power/resistance. I want to research those moments in the film to see how accurate they are.

- I want to research the protests to the Democratic National Conventions as the film is solely based on the occurring events and the aftermath of them (the trial itself). I want to write about these events in comparison to the film.

- I'd like to write about the way the film portrays the power and resistance and how well it executes it.

- I'd like to research the individual characters involved in the trial and how they portray power and resistance in the film and how well they actually do it.

- Researching accuracy of research and if it's a good idea or not.

The question I've been working towards for my final assignment:

The Trial of Chicago 7: To what extent does this film portray Power and Resistance in relation to the protests of the Democratic National Conventions in Chicago?

# data[].attributes.headline
Week 5 - Analysing my Cultural Artefact 

# data[].attributes.subject
Week 5 - Analysing my Cultural Artefact 

# data[].attributes.body
My Cultural Artefact of choice:

The Trial Of Chicago 7 (film)

My artefact in depth

- Released in 2020
- The Trial Of Chicago 7 is a historical drama set in the late 60s about the riots of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
- The film showcases 8 main characters who played a big part in the riots: Rennie Davis, David Dellinger, John Froines, Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, and Lee Weiner.
- Screenplay was written in 2007 by Aaron Sorkin. Initially was going to be directed by Steven Spielberg but Sorkin ended up directing it himself.
- This is film is distributed by Netflix and is a Netflix exclusive.
-  Nominated for Best Screenplay for various awards.

What's the meaning behind my artefact?

- My artefact is a film (Netflix exclusive) which means it's accessible to the some public. People with Netflix subscriptions can watch the film any time they want. When the film was first released, there were screenings in certain cinemas such as Curzon and the BFI too.
- The Trial of Chicago is well known for it's accuracy. The props used in this film are very accurate and refer to the real documents etc. back in 1968. It also has great visual imagery and also good location/set design to portray the times the riots took place. Historically, it's accurate.
- The scenes with riots attacking the police portray a real sense of realism through the power of editing. During the scene with the riot attacking the police on the hill, it cuts back to real footage of the riots back in the late 60s. They cross cut between the archive footage and the film. As a viewer, you get an idea of the brutality of the police and the riots. This portrays realism to a great extent.

How does my artefact relate to power and resistance?

- My artefact is a great example of portraying power and resistance. My film showcases an historic event that portrays the riots of 1968 and how well power is shown from the riots that took place. It shows the power of the people and fighting for what they believe is right.
- I feel like people who watch this film can definitely relate. Considering the time period, I believe that some people who were part of those riots are alive today and can relate to the story as they were part of it. Any demeaning group of people who feel like the police or the government are against them constantly.
- As an adapted screenplay, the narrative has to be accurate to portray the power and resistance to an extent. I believe that the narrative doesn't fit into anywhere specific but it has a really well structured narrative according to the historic events.

# data[].attributes.body
My Question:

The Trial of Chicago 7: To what extent does this film portray Power and Resistance in relation to the protests of the Democratic National Conventions in Chicago?

IN EACH SECTION MAKE SURE:

1. Agree or disagree

2. Compare and Contrast

3. Discuss

In my introduction:

Introduce your topic and your question

Say why you are writing about it – why is it important?

State what you will cover in the rest of the essay and in what order

In my conclusion:

Restate the question

Summarise the points/arguments you have made and any conclusions you have come to

Are there any further questions that could be asked?

My Essay Structure:

Introduction: 250 words

Summary of The Trial of Chicago 7 (cultural artefact):
500 words

Key events/historic moments of the Democratic National Conventions in 1968: 500 words

Accuracy of Chicago 7 (comparing the real events to the film): 300 words
Relating to theorist/s: 250 words

Conclusion: 200 words

# data[].attributes.headline
Relevant Articles/Sources to my Essay Question (Formative Assessment)

# data[].attributes.subject
Relevant Articles/Sources to my Essay Question (Formative Assessment)

# data[].attributes.body
1968 Democratic National Convention: A ‘week of hate’:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45226132

Chicago 1968: glimpses of when the Democrats met amid a summer of unrest:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/15/chicago-1968-democratic-national-convention-photographs

Tipping Point: The 50th Anniversary of the 1968 Democratic National Convention Riots in Chicago:

https://www.magnumphotos.com/newsroom/politics/democratic-national-convention-riots-1968/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
1968 Democratic National Convention: A ‘week of hate’

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More than 50 years on, the Democratic Party’s national convention of 1968 continues to haunt the party.