Using "Eyes" from Handmaid’s Tale to teach surveillance

Abstract

This exercise is intended to demonstrate how social control functions through surveillance. This exercise was originally used in an Introduction to Sociology class but could be adapted for use in a range of classes (e.g. social problems, deviance, etc.). In this activity, we use the concept of "eyes" from the popular Hulu show Handmaid’s Tale (adapted...

Download this resource to see full details. Download this resource to see full details.

Details

Subject Area(s):

Deviant Behavior/Social Disorganization

Resource Type(s):

Assignment

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. The first learning goal is for students to experience how external forms of social control influence their behaviors when they are aware of surveillance versus when they are not.
2. The second learning goal is for students to understand and apply the key concepts of deviance and surveillance.
3. The third learning goal is for students to apply sociological concepts (deviance and surveillance) to the media they consume.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. The first learning goal will be assessed through measuring the number of acts of deviance students will engage in when they know there are "eyes" in the classroom versus when they don’t know.
2. The second learning goal will be assessed through comparing their answers on the pre and post-test including knowledge survey and content knowledge (quiz) questions.
3. The third learning goal will be assessed through the written reflection assignment where students will be asked for examples of how they apply these concepts.