https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0 What is an American? en-us 2017-03-08 20:05:56 UTC 2018-05-09 01:35:24 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978526 Novels and films make us better people by opening our eyes to situations and events that occur within society. Our group brought up the movie "Wonder" throughout our discussion, and used this as an example to convey that movies and novels withhold the power to alter our perspectives and emotions about topics that we could have potentially been unaware about or blindsided by prior to reading or watching the content. The article goes on to state that characters within novels and movies "permit us to ask whether our ethical norms are truly good, truly moral, or whether we believe them to be good only because that is what the state or society has instructed us to believe." This provides more insight about the moral responsibilities that we as people have, and how we take these into account in order to contribute them to society and perform our own moral responsibilities based on the ethics we create for ourselves. 

]]> 2018-04-09 18:27:59 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978526 taylorsac3728 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978654 Yes, I believe that films and novels make us better people. I believe this because, from what I took from the article, different types of movies/novels bring out different character traits in people that aren't typically always seen. They can also teach us things or help us comprehend something in a different perspective than what we originally thought.]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:10 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978654 alyssahot8052 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978699 Movies and books makes us better people because they teach us lessons. When you're a little kid you read books that teach you to be nice to others, to share, and much more . It is the same with movies and TV shows because if we have a positive role model to look up to then we will be motivated to act like them. In my group we talked about the book and movie  "Wonder" and how if teaches people that we should accept our differences and show respect to everyone. Wonder demonstrates how kindness and respect can greatly influence someone's world. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:14 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978699 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978704 Novels and films make us better people because we can feel emotions throughout both and after that we don't wanna feel that sad again so we try not to treat and do things that would make us feel that sad like the characters ]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:14 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978704 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978737 I believe that some films inspire us to be better people but they dont make us better people. We talked about how movies can motivate and inspire us like how in forest gump he has disabilities but he still cares for others and trys to be a nice and good person.]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:18 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978737 michaelgou6147 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978765 I think that novels and books can make us better people. I think in some cases books and films could motivate people through out their lives. I think that novels and films can strike emotion within people and bring out good in people but I also think that novels and films can teach us important lessons as well. For example, in Shrek people thought of the ogre as a big ugly mean creature and this made him upset and once he met different people along the way he could finally accept the way he was. Also in American Sniper it shows people what soldiers really go through in battle and I think it teaches us not to take so many things for granted and I think this movie is really eye opening to people.  ]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:21 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978765 matthewsig8491 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978773 I feel that novels and films could make us better people. They make us better people as long as we get the main message out of the story. For example, in the movie and story, The Grinch, we learn to not hate something that we've never tried. We also learn to not be self centered with our emotions and try to ruin the experience for other people.]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:22 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978773 emilywei5933 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978832 Films and books help make us better people by showing us how to live our lives. By seeing characters go through many of the same struggles as we do it makes one feel less alone. While watching a film where a character is having a hard time preparing to go to college for example one feels less alone when going through the same situation. Knowing people are going through similar situations as you helps them be less daunting. While watching the film The Perks of Being a Wallflower a teen gets the feeling of acceptance. As you watch the film you see how teenagers who are not a part of a social circle can find their place and themselves with the people who really care about them. After watching the film a teenager feels like they are not alone and they can get through whatever situation they are struggling with. This makes them better people because they learn that they do not need to change who they are to be accepted but can be true to themselves. Therefore films and books make us better people by showing us how to live life and get through situations. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:30 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978832 jackhor7342 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978973 books and movies make us better people because they can teach us lessons about real life. In the article it talks about how stories can be dangerous, but because of that they can be dangerous they open our eyes to the real world. Movies and books also make us think about certain things we see in life and teach us lessons that can impact us in the future.]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:44 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978973 emmashe5400 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978981 I believe that novels and films make us better people because they can teach people important morals and lessons that connect to the real world. The book, Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, teaches people about a young boy named Auggie Superman, who was born with a deformed face. This novel teaches people to respect everyone even if they are different, and to never judge someone until they get to know them. Novels and films can also help people distinguish what actions or decisions are poor; the article mentions that films and novels can also demonstrate what not to do in certain situations; multiple times, it states that, "encountering such dangerous representations" in movies or novels, "that we may confront the deepest moral value" (Moses 1). This provides the information that movies and novels allow people to experience dangerous events that could have a negative long-term effect, and learn to avoid those events from happening.]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:46 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249978981 emilyheg9513 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979008 Novels and films have the power to impact people, which can change people for the better. They can display messages to give new perspectives. For example, the new movie Love Simon gave a better understanding of the struggles gay people face. Because of the movie people got the courage to come out, and it helped parents deal with it, ultimately changing people for the better.]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:49 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979008 madelinesam6926 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979067 I think that movies and books make us better people because they give valuable meanings to things people can connect to. You can get different perspectives on ideas that people might shy away from talking about. For example, the Grinch taught us to not judge people right away because they might end up being nice. In the article  the author stated, "film allow us to encounter characters who may be quite unlike ourselves" (Valdez). Introducing characters like these helps us connect and understand others in a whole new way. It also helps us recognize issues in our society and helps us find ways to solve them. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979067 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979082 I believe that movies and novels do make us better people. To me, they show us new worlds and introduce us to new ideas. Novels and movies both have a way with opening eyes up to surroundings and alerting us about the world we live in and what may go on where we cannot see.
Sometimes they also are able to show us emotion and thoughts that others portray that we might not be able to sense on our own, educating us on the rest of the world.]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:57 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979082 madelynfir6585 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979084 Yes novels and films make us better people. We are able to see different experiences through other people's eyes. These may be experiences that we may have never encountered yet through a novel or film we get to "experience" new things. For example in the movie Love, Simon people can see how the main character owned who he really was. This can give people courage and even understanding for people who are unlike them. Through watching novels and films people are able to learn lessons and gain understanding that will ultimately help them to become a better ]]> 2018-04-09 18:28:57 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979084 quintonlew5577 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979127 I feel that novels and films do make us better people because they allow us to see other views and lifestyles other than our own. Whether we are reading or watching, we are seeing a lifestyle that isn't ours, and it gives us new looks on life. Sometimes they can be bad and make us worse, but it all depends on how we take in the information and how we interpret the film or novel.]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:03 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979127 emilycar5361 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979160 I believe that books and movies do make people better people because you can see how people in the movies or books develop as a person and follow in a similar way and become a better person. You can also look up to people to her about. They also can teach you positive ways of life. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:06 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979160 gracecro7754 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979250 I think novels and films can impact our opinions or perspectives on certain topics, but I don't think that they can change us to be better people overall. For example, in the novel/movie "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", we can take away that we shouldn't judge people solely off of their beliefs. This story can impact someone and change their perspective on how they view/treat others, but it will not change them to be a better person completely. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979250 charleshag3400 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979304 2018-04-09 18:29:19 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979304 sarapig6608 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979306 Novels and books can make us better people. Characters can inspire you to be a better person and do better things, but it is up to you to actually do them , therefore the only what books and movies make us better people is if we apply 
   the lessons they teach to our lives.]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:19 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979306 nolanbak7260 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979309 Yes, I think they make us better people because they make us more aware. They make us more aware of culture and different ways of life around the world also they make us more aware of what happens in our world around us.]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:20 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979309 katelynatw9192 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979380 Yes, I believe that books and movies make us better people. When we read books or watch movies, we gain a sense of empathy, learn life lessons, and such. We develop empathy by reacting emotionally, thoughtfully, relating to the characters and so on. We don't just watch and read about the characters, we make their mistakes, feel what they feel, and experience what happens in their lives. We relate to them on a bunch of levels. When we get inside the mind of a fictional character, we see from their viewpoint and learn to look from different outlooks. If that viewpoint is different from ours, we gain an understanding that we might have not had before.

]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:26 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979380 allisonnag7809 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979413 novels and films makes us better people because they point out flaws in our society and way of life by allowing us to see other points of view. for example, the novel to kill a mockingbird points out the flaws that existed in our justice system that most people would not have recognized without the book because people tend not to see/admit the flaws with the society that they live in. The novel Wonder points out that our society is flawed by discriminating against those who look different by showing the life of a boy with a deformed face. Most people in our society would not have recognized this issue because they themselves do not go through what this boy experiences, however, after reading the book they are able too see the world through his eyes and recognize what changes need to be made to make our society better for everyone. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:29 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979413 charleshan7335 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979476 2018-04-09 18:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979476 allisonvoj6145 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979478 I believe that subconsciously watching movies or reading books can make us aware of societal norms or the difference between a "good character" versus a "bad character". While this can show people characters unlike themselves to grow from, it doesn't actually make the action of being a better person occur. We can learn how we are expected to act partially, but sometimes there are also bad examples in books or movies if the focus is on the wrong character. It all depends on what a person does with the knowledge they've gained from the literature or media.]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979478 christinapel9483 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979499 Novels and films do make us better people because of everything we learn from them. From movies like Saving Private Ryan, we are educated about WWII and the lives of soldiers, which makes us more aware and better members of society. We are also able to see things from other people's point of view. This helps us to be more understanding people which leads to us being better people. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:39 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979499 paigehol7341 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979519 I believe movies and books make us better people by showing other perspectives/ ways of life to help us understand different backgrounds and cultures. Movies and books also show us the cause and effects of certain actions or decisions, without us actually having to perform them.]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:41 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979519 nicoletom5473 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979521 I think that movies and books make us better people because they teach us life lessons and open up discussions. They can teach us important things such as being ourselves instead of fitting in and keep trying to pursue our goals and dreams even if we face hardships. I think there are some controversial movies that open up discussion and can get individuals interacting with one another to allow them to form their own opinions on topics that are controversial.]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:41 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979521 nathanwil5964 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979592 I feel like books and novels do help make us better people. When ever I watch a movie about an underdog defying the odds or someone coming back from something that set them back it inspires me to do better. Like after I watch the movies Unbroken or The Blind Side I want to go like work out or do something to make a change in the world.  ]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:48 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979592 reillyhem8042 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979661 I feel that novels and films make us better people because you can learn from the characters mistakes and almost experience it with them. Also in many movies and books you see both the good and the bad and you can see the outcomes of how the characters act. I also would like to add in the point that in other films such as documentary's you get to see so many meaningful stories from people so many of the different stories teach and make you more appreciative of the life you live in. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979661 linneaand7885 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979697 I believe that books and movies do make us better people because they show us other points of view, both good and bad. For example in the article it talked about how "shadowy characters" shows acceptance and in a way it shows how good can come out of bad. Also movies that are based off of true stories can inspire us to be like them and become better people. For example in Heaven is For Real it showed characters who had faith and stayed positive through hard times and that can also help people get through hard times in their own life. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:29:59 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249979697 laurencon7327 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980057 2018-04-09 18:30:37 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980057 jordanmcc8671 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980100 No, novels and films do not have the power to make us better people. Novels and films merely present to us new ideas, thoughts, and opinions; those of which may or may not influence the people we are. A novel and/or film may present a societal problem in a way that is not commonly accepted, but maybe this evokes a thought that causes one to live there life in a different way. For example, upon seeing a film about someone whose  parents die you might treat them differently. While the way you live may change, it was not completely the film's or novel's fault, it is yours because you took the action.]]> 2018-04-09 18:30:40 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980100 madisonyou9408 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980103 Movies and books make us better people by bringing new perspectives to issues. Earlier in the activity Christina said that books and movies brought light to new areas of issues. Books and movies expand one's knowledge on topics and make one a more well-rounded person. To conclude, novels and movies make us better people. They give us knowledge on issues and make us well-rounded on topics.]]> 2018-04-09 18:30:41 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980103 renatabur5364 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980225 I believe novels and films do make us better people because the majority of them have life lessons, even if they're small and they make us aware of things happening in the world that we may not know about. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:30:52 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980225 nicholaspas5461 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980260 I believe novels and movies do make us better people because they can inspire us to do better things throughout our lifetime]]> 2018-04-09 18:30:56 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249980260 joshuarod5586 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249982417 It's our natural instinct to shield the explicit from the innocent, being how books and novels often teach the truth. However shielding the truth leads to ill minded and uneducated individuals. As leaders it's our job to teach, therefore using novels and movies is a great way to teach someone of the hard to teach truth(s) in life.]]> 2018-04-09 18:34:57 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249982417 rasakar4532 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249984508 Both novels and films make us better people because throughout both we can feel emotions and feel bad for the situation or character that's going through a hard time. After we see or read and feel emotional we then don't wanna have that feeling again or go through anything that a character went through so we try not to do the mistakes we saw or read in a book. ]]> 2018-04-09 18:38:51 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/249984508 alyssacat6020 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/250081937 I believe that novels and films do make us better people. They make you pose your own questions, give insight, and provide multiple aspects to a societal problem. This forces us to see both sides of a situation, ultimately causing the audience to be more open minded. We can derive life lessons from these films and novels that better us as individuals and on a societal level. ]]> 2018-04-10 01:01:31 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/250081937 isabellav5698 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/250093089 I believe that novels and films do make us better people because through novels from fiction to nonfiction we learn many lessons from others through characters and problems physically and emotionally. They create a different 'view' of our perspectives to others  and allowing us to see the world and society differently. Films are the same way especially fiction, we can connect with the characters and understand what their life is like and maybe understand what other people's outlooks are too. ]]> 2018-04-10 02:11:54 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/250093089 adrianlin6165 https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/250543089 I believe that novels and films do make us better people because they help us question and explore ethical dilemmas that are usually difficult to clearly see and address. Film and literature allows us to pinpoint specific instances where we might question our understanding of ethics. Seeing a scenario that we can connect back to our personal lives allows the complex problems to be shown with a level of clarity only the fiction representation can present. As the article mentioned, even villains allow us to question our laws and societal ethics by making us question if "we believe them to be good only because that is what the state or society has instructed us to believe." Film and literature exposes us to types of people and situations that are different from us and overall helps us become better people.]]> 2018-04-11 02:27:13 UTC https://padlet.com/gillian_schneider/2ho8gk7cegf0/wish/250543089