Should R-rated movies be allowed to be shown in high schools?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yes. I actually saw three in high school: The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room. We didn't even need parental permission.

[Boris]

Some conservative christian parent complained to our school board about R-rated movies, and, as such, they've been temporarily banned. Or maybe the ban has been lifted. I don't really know nor care.

[Sensei]

Sure, if they are relevant to the curriculum.

[Friz]

We watched "Schindler's List" in religion class in my senior year.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

We watched part of Schindler's list in U.S. history - but not enough time to see the whole thing.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

As a general rule, no.  I find it difficult to believe that most Hollywood movies R-rated or not would be relevant to the curriculum.  Other than movies relevant to the curriculum I can't see why they'd be shown.  Of the three movies mentioned: The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room, the only one I could see as being relevant would be Saving Private Ryan if you had a lazy-assed athletic coach as a history teacher.

[Emsworth]

In general, I think that showing films in school (whether rated R or otherwise) is utterly unnecessary. The educational content of most movies is rather minimal, especially considering their length. I don't even find documentaries particularly helpful; on the contrary, they seem exceptionally boring, and will probably be ignored by most students. On the whole, I would submit that an occasional video clip might be useful, but I cannot foresee many situations in which entire movies need to be shown.

That said, if films are to be shown, I find little justification for prohibiting R-rated films in high schools. The vast majority of high school students use profanity, play violent video games, and are familiar with sex--I don't see how a film would further "damage" them. Furthermore, the whole rating system itself is highly questionable, but that is another matter.

[Aizen]

Yes. And what's wrong with watching movies in school? It's a way to break the monotony.

[Flying Dog]

Schindlers list is a good movie to see for high schoolers.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

As a general rule, no.  I find it difficult to believe that most Hollywood movies R-rated or not would be relevant to the curriculum.  Other than movies relevant to the curriculum I can't see why they'd be shown.  Of the three movies mentioned: The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room, the only one I could see as being relevant would be Saving Private Ryan if you had a lazy-assed athletic coach as a history teacher.

Boiler Room was in Economics.

I can't even remember what class The Matrix was in. It was because there was only a few days before Christmas Break and no one wanted to do any assignments or actual schoolwork, including the teacher.

[Friz]

I didn't answer the question - yes, they should allow R-rated movies to be shown in high schools.    It shouldn't even be an issue in senior classes.

[Colin]

My sophomore year everyone in European History watched Schindler's List which is rated R. I really don't have a problem with showing an R-rated movie to high school students as long as it is relevant to the material being studied.

[ilikeverin]

Yes, so long as parental permission is given.

[Democratic Hawk]

R-rated means quite a different thing in the UK (well R18 to be more precise) and no they should not be allowed to be shown in sixth forms. Of course, the kind of movies you refer to BRTD, seem fine

Dave

[Padfoot]

Yes, so long as parental permission is given.

but none should be required for any student over the age of 17.

[CPT MikeyMike]

Yes, so long as parental permission is given.

but none should be required for any student over the age of 17.

Those two thoughts together are the appropriate guidance.

[John Dibble]

Only if there's some sort of educational value to be gained from watching the film.

[minionofmidas]

Em nailed it.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

Em nailed it.

If Em=Emsworth then ^^^^^^^^^^

From my experience most 'teachers' who showed videos in class tended to be ones who were the least interested in actual teaching.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Yes, they should be allowed to be shown in high schools, though for students under 17, parental consent should be required.  If the parents do not consent, the students should have an alternative assignment/activity that is of equal value.

I think movies and documentaries are great ways to present some material.  I find anybody that has some sort of problem with showing movies as if they are not educational to be wrong.

Each child has a different style of learning, and I think a lot of students (especially boys) are left behind by the traditional "lecture" and "take notes" or "read" and "take an exam" style of learning.  Teachers that use several different mediums to present material often reach students very well.

The most interesting history class I ever had used not only lecture but also videos/documentaries as well as novels, texts, primary sources, and speakers.  The exams covered all of this material rather than relying only on texts/novels.

Being biased against a certain media in a classroom is more likely based on your personal style of learning and not because certain ways are "better" for conveying information to students.

Then again, I am captivated by visual presentations and learn a lot better from them than listening to a teacher lecture, so I can't say I'm not biased myself.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I'm not biased against any particular media, but a general purpose Hollywood movie simply takes too long to be viewed in a single sitting and allow for constructive use of it in a class, even with the inane 90 minute periods used under block scheduling these days in a lot of high schools.  Excerpts perhaps, but not an entire movie.

[Friz]

Only if there's some sort of educational value to be gained from watching the film.

From my own personal experience, watching movies and other media is far more educational than  just about anything taught in high school.

[Ebowed]

Yes.  No parental permission required regardless of age of the students.

[John Dibble]

Only if there's some sort of educational value to be gained from watching the film.

From my own personal experience, watching movies and other media is far more educational than  just about anything taught in high school.

Well, that doesn't mean rated R movies are necessarily good teaching tools. Would there be much educational value from watching a rated-R horror flick? As amusing as it is to watch the more idiotic characters get killed off one by one... oh, wait, that teaches natural selection.

[Ban my account ffs!]

The contents of this thread makes me glad that parents have relatively little say in school curriculum.  It's clear that they have way to many prejudices to be actively included in the process.