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Student Research Conference
The American Dream
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Student Research Conference
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Title
The American Dream
Usage & Reproduction Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Type
Video recording
URI / Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/1961/muislandora:2987
Created
2015-01-01T00:00:00Z
Abstract
The purpose of this creative work is to explore the Marymount community's perspective on the American Dream. We will focus on each individual's personal definition of the American Dream, the problems that groups may face while attempting to reach their dream, and what America can do to help individuals achieve their dream. Through film, we can represent various definitions from diverse walks of life. It is imperative to understand our community's dreams in relation to what we can do to help each other succeed. Moreover, through this study we can understand the struggles and perspectives of others. Overall, this project signifies how the American Dream affects not only the Marymount community, but it is a glimpse of how it affects America as a whole. We reached out to students, faculty, and staff at Marymount through classes, flyers, and email. We used a list of set interview questions about what the interviewee's American Dream was, how he or she could achieve it, what obstacles prevent people from being able to achieve their American Dream, and more. After receiving consent to film interviews from the individuals, we had footage of perspectives from various cultures, genders, religions, and classes. In all we found that many interviewees saw the American Dream as the opportunity to achieve happiness and leave a mark on the world. Happiness was a common theme in our conversations whether it concerned family, job satisfaction, or helping others. However, when we asked individuals if everyone could achieve the American Dream, the responses varied. Some interviewees were very positive and believed that no matter what, a dream can be achieved if you can work hard enough. On the other hand, others believed that there are barriers and circumstances out of our control that can stand in our way and prevent us from being able to fulfill our American Dream. This film overall had a very positive response and through social media and continued advertisement, we have brought this project into the Marymount community. Over the next four weeks we intend to continue the American Dream discussion and raise awareness of the varying perspectives within our community. This project is a demonstration of Performance Media being used to focus on the human condition. By incorporating the experience of individuals from different background we are using film to expose the reality of many people's lives. This project is an example of how art can be used to generate conversation, raise awareness, and initiate ideas for positive change.
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