Nine to Five High: Substance Abuse in the Workplace

Ivanhoe Communications

The vast majority of drug abusers in America have full-time jobs. Drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace often leads to serious accidents, property loss, decreased productivity, and other deleterious effects on the employer, yet most companies have yet to accept the dangers posed by their failure to deal with substance abuse problems. This program details the legal, financial, and psychological costs of ignoring this growing problem. (28 minutes)

Child Abuse: Chain of Pain

Meridian Education

Overviews the five basic categories of child abuse and their effects on children. The video also examines the reasons adults abuse children, and describes ways to stop current abuse and prevent future abuse. Also stressed are means of obtaining help for victims. (14 min.) A Meridian Production.

E-Mail Etiquette

ClickView Pty Limited

There is little doubt that e-mail is an extremely useful innovation that has changed, and continues to change, the way we communicate. However, the fact that e-mail is different from both voice- and paper-based communication can be a source of frustration for many people. This program gives viewers an understanding of the conventions that have been developed by e-mail users over the years to facilitate effective communication. In addition, the video exposes many of the myths that exist regarding such issues as e-mail privacy, and warns of possible dangers when using e-mail. The words “spamming” and “flaming” may not make sense to everyone, but chances are they’ve come across examples of this type of behavior in their e-mail usage. The animated “cyber postman,” who features throughout the video, has seen every example of bad e-mail usage you could imagine. With his assistance we provide a comprehensive introduction to the etiquette of using e-mail. A viewable/printable instructor’s guide is available online. A Cambridge Educational Production. (20 minutes)

The Future Is Now: Celebrating Diversity

Master Source

This program is devoted to the ways in which the demands of a diverse work force can best be met: how schools can help prepare students, how businesses can help build bridges, how all Americans can-and must-learn to value, respect, and benefit from diversity in society and in the workplace. (26 minutes)

The Spanish Civil War

Reuters Television

This program covers the roots of the Spanish Civil War-the electoral defeat of right-wing forces by the union of left-wing parties into the Popular Front; the polarization of Left and Right as Fascism and Communism loomed on the far side of the Pyrenees; the young officers' conspiracy that began the uprising in Morocco. Within days, the conflict had spread to Spain, and the bitter Civil War had begun. The program covers the course of the war: the battles, the targeting of civilians (including the bombing of Guernica), the human cost, the intervention of the totalitarian powers and the non-intervention of the democracies-until, at the end, the Soviet Union withdrew its support and the International Brigades were disbanded, Nationalist forces entered Madrid, and the war was over, leaving more than a million people dead, wounded, or as refugees. (25 minutes, b&w)

Customer-Driven Success

Window to the World Communications

In the post-Enron and -WorldCom era, the spotlight of scrutiny is shining ever more sharply on corporations and their chief executives. In this program, Robert Nardelli, chairman, president, and CEO of The Home Depot, and Michael Eskew, chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service, discuss the white-hot issues of corporate governance and ethics as well as the special challenges they face as newcomers to the top job. What are they doing to expand their customer bases in the face of fierce competition? And how are they training the new leaders who will help them take their companies—tops in their respective industries—into the future?

Mind and Matter

Nederlandse Omroep Stichting

The subterranean phallus god whom Jung saw in a dream as a child is a symbol of both creation and destruction, the inspiration for all of nature and strongly present in the human unconscious. The relationship between mind and matter, physics and psychology, conscious and unconscious, feeling and understanding is the subject of this program which, with the aid of eminent physicists and psychoanalysts, examines Jung's work and his association with Wolfgang Pauli. (60 minutes)

The Global Trade Debate

Journeyman Pictures

As tensions mount between big business and an increasingly powerful activist lobby, the gulf between their positions has never been clearer. This program offers a balanced look at the reality of globalization in an effort to address the issues that underpin the angry rhetoric. Since the founding of the International Monetary Fund, the world has seen a 12-fold increase in global trade. But local economies and the environment have paid a heavy price. Consumers and governments alike must require responsible business practices and cleaner energy, or the global marketplace-potentially beneficial in so many ways-may turn out to be unsustainable. (42 minutes)

Caudillo: The History of the Spanish Civil War

Fernando Ruiz-Ogarrio

A superb documentary, using much footage hitherto unknown. This is a program that presents both sides of this still-controversial subject in its own words and using its own footage. The result is a solid lesson in history, a moving testimonial to the valor and romanticism of young men, and an indispensable tool for understanding modern Spanish literature and history. (English narration and subtitles, 1 hour 51 minutes)

La intrusa

Ente Público Radiotelevisión

This is a story of passion involving two brothers, inseparable in work and play, and a woman who comes between them. Soon all three are trapped in their own hell of jealousy and death. Contains mature themes. An RTVE Production. (Spanish, 61 minutes)

Myths about Madness: Challenging Stigma and Changing Attitudes

Mental Health Media

Fear and misunderstanding are major roadblocks on the path to effective community care for people with mental illnesses. This concise training tool exposes the myths surrounding afflictions of the mind and challenges discrimination against the mentally ill. Interviews with mental health professionals, journalists, researchers, and people who have themselves been through the mental health system raise questions about the public's attitude toward mental illness. In addition, people diagnosed with mental health problems speak candidly about the stigmatizing impact of living with a label. (23 minutes)

Exploring Vegetarianism: A Healthy Alternative

Meridian Education

Am I a vegetarian if I don’t eat meat but I do eat fish? Can I still have milk and be a vegetarian? What about eggs? These are just some of the questions answered in this comprehensive video about a popular but often misunderstood subject. Terms like vegan, ovo-lacto vegetarian, and ovo vegetarian are clearly defined. Vegetarians offer firsthand information on which foods provide all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements to keep our bodies healthy. And we take a look at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and maybe a few snacks, from a vegetarian perspective. Sample menus are provided at the end of the program and in the viewer’s guide. What a great way to educate your students on a healthy, alternative lifestyle. A Meridian Production. (19 minutes)

Alice Walker: Possessing the Secret of Joy

Deutsche Grammophon GmbH

Pulitzer Prize-winner Alice Walker has been a standard bearer for the civil rights and women's movements since the early 1960s. In this classic interview, the womanist writer discusses her novel Possessing the Secret of Joy, in which protagonist Tashi attempts to preserve her tribal heritage by undergoing traditional female genital mutilation-still a common practice in Africa today. Archival footage, dramatized scenes from the book, and additional interviews with Gloria Steinem; Barbara Christian, Professor of African-American Studies at Berkeley University; and others shed light on Alice Walker's career and issues of womanhood worldwide, while Ms. Walker examines the influence of people and events on her life. (53 minutes)

Love

TVA Films

What exactly is love? What are its biological underpinnings, and how have cultural definitions of that word, so heavily endowed with meaning, evolved? Beginning with the Sumerians and other ancient civilizations, this program seeks to understand love's social rituals and its interrelated physiological imperatives. Topics under consideration by anthropologist Helen Fisher of Rutgers University, psychoanalyst Malek Chebel, biologist Robert Francoeur, and author Morton Hunt include pair bonding; platonic, courtly, and romantic models of love; homosexuality; inhibitions vs. promiscuity; and behaviors such as flirting. Some content may be objectionable. (53 minutes)

The Law

TVA Films

The law is a set of rules found in all organized societies. In the modern world, many key aspects of human existence are governed by laws: registration of births, school attendance, traffic, taxation, business, procreation, and the pronouncement of death. This program discusses the application of law to regulate human conduct, including the subject of global human rights. But can any international law successfully influence sovereign nations that consider themselves independent of outside jurisdiction? (53 minutes)

Beyond Black and White: Affirmative Action in America-A Fred Friendly Seminar

Fred Friendly Seminars

All sides of the affirmative action issue have targeted the same goal: ending racism of all types. But do opportunities for some have to come at the expense of others? In this Fred Friendly Seminar moderated by Harvard Law School's Charles Ogletree, a what-if scenario revolves around a university's efforts to enroll a diverse student body of qualified candidates. Panelists include Ward Connerly, proponent of California's Proposition 209; Christopher Edley, Jr., author of Not All Black & White: Affirmative Action, Race, and American Values; Julius Becton, Jr., former head of Washington, D.C.'s public schools; Ruth Simmons, president of Smith College; and policy activists from the African-American, Asian, Native American, and Latino communities. A Discussion Guide and other resources are located online at www.fredfriendlyseminars.org/bbw. (58 minutes)

Fascism: The Legacy of Hate

Journeyman Pictures

As the ultra-right edges closer to real power in Europe, a dismayed EU fears a dark renaissance in politics. This disturbing program, supported by footage including a skinhead hate party and anti-immigrant violence, traces the virulent resurgence of xenophobia in Europe. Joerg Haider, of Austria's Freedom Party; Albert Szabo, founder of Hungary's World Nation Party; and politicos from the German, Italian, and French extreme right defend their platforms while author Michael Ignatieff, historian Anton Pelinka, Jewish leaders, and Kosovar and Kurdish refugees counter with insights into the psychology of hate and voice fears that Europe's bloody history will soon repeat itself. (38 minutes)

Time Frenzy: Keeping Up with Tomorrow

Robert Gliner

One of the ironies of the ubiquitous technologies now in use is that they were supposed to save time and improve the quality of life. What went wrong? This cautionary program examines the social and ethical consequences of the increasingly fast pace of life in the U.S. It contrasts the American 24/7 work ethic with the business traditions of other countries and, in the process, examines the impact of technology on personal relationships, education, health, and the environment. (59 minutes)

Thomas More: Utopia

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

Thomas More’s Utopia, one of the most significant texts of English humanism, has become the ideal for a society based on fundamental human principles of fairness and justice. This program follows the progress of More’s intellectual development, from his early friendship with the influential humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam, to his rise to power as a member of Parliament and later chancellor of England, through his tempestuous relationship with King Henry VIII—who would eventually break away from the Catholic Church and set into motion More’s execution. In this program, quotations from Utopia serve as a dramatic counterpoint to More’s own life story, bringing into stark relief the contrast between his idealized state and the real world in which he lived and died. (24 minutes)

Karl Marx and Marxism

Fremantle Home Entertainment

The impact of Marx on the 20th century was all-pervasive and worldwide, costing tens of millions of lives where Communism was imposed, resulting in brutal wars to contain or expand it, and vastly improving the lives of workers where fear of Communism resulted in social reform. This program looks at the man, at the roots of his philosophy, at the causes and explanations of his philosophical development, and at its most direct outcome: the failed Soviet Union. (52 minutes)

The Hungarian Reformed Church

S4C International

Shot in Budapest, Debrecen, and the beautiful Great Plain, this program explores the link between Calvinism, with its belief in predestination, and Hungarian nationhood. Speaking with ordinary believers and such public figures as the Prime Minister and Bishop Laszlo Tokes, the program offers an insight into the spiritual side of Hungary. (30 minutes)

Introduction to Framing

Meridian Education

Framing is the fundamental building block in many aspects of home construction. This program will detail the basics of many framing applications, including layout terms and principles, construction techniques, and standard framing plans. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. Correlates to the Competencies and Objectives of the National Center for Construction Education & Research. A Shopware Production. (12 minutes)

The Abortion War: Thirty Years after Roe v. Wade

Nightline

In the years since the U.S. Supreme Court's legalization of abortion, the political scene has changed dramatically enough to threaten this landmark decision. On the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, this ABC News program surveys the current landscape of opinion and political alignment, examining the shift of momentum concerning abortion rights. Correspondent Dave Marash reports from Minnesota, while anchor Chris Bury discusses the issue with a panel of women who hold disparate views on abortion rights. (22 minutes)

World of Ideas: Maya Lin

Doctoroff Media Group

One of the rare few who have managed to excel in both art and architecture, Maya Lin creates places of refuge and contemplation in highly public spaces. Constructed on an intimate human scale, they invite visitors to touch, feel, respond, and reflect. In this program, the acclaimed sculptor and architect talks with Bill Moyers about a life and a career that have been shaped by her Asian-American heritage and a profound respect and love for the natural environment. (54 minutes)

The Heart of the Nation

Hedrick Smith Productions

This program explores the central values of Japan, Germany, and the U.S. and focuses on what drives each of these societies. America's hallmark is individualism, Japan's the preeminence of the group; in America, freedom and diversity are primary values; in Japan, conformity and a powerful sense of nationalism prevail. Germany stands between the two, asserting individualism but striving, more than the U.S., for social harmony and consensus. The program shows how education is a metaphor for the contrasts in the three societies. (58 minutes)

Family Violence: Breaking the Chain

WBZ-TV

This program looks at the effects of family violence on the abused and the abuser: at the danger that abused children will grow up to repeat the pattern of violence in their own relationships; at the problems of date violence; at the physical and emotional abuse women suffer at the hands of their husbands and lovers. While showing the benefits of therapy, it stresses the need of the abused for safety—through shelters, hotlines, and community assistance—from those who abuse them. (28 minutes)

The Power to Predict: Chinese Astronomy and the Mandate of Heaven

Carlton International Media

In this program, Dr. Sun Xiaochun and others consider the roles of astronomy and astrology in China as they relate to the Mandate of Heaven: the belief that the power to rule derived from the power to predict the future. Records of ancient sky-watching, divination via oracle bones, revolutionary advances in timekeeping, and the remarkably accurate Chinese calendar are evaluated, as well as the sociopolitical contributions of Confucianism, Taoism, and, later, Christianity. For 3,000 years-until the fall of the last emperor, early in the 20th century-the Mandate was the key to power. (58 minutes)

A Teacher Affects Eternity

Claudia Levin

Since the 1830s, public schools have spread into every corner of America. Then and now, what kind of people have been called to teach in these schools? This program explores the importance of educators in the lives of their students, emphasizing a teacher’s influence as role model, as upholder of society’s norms, and even as agent of social change. Dedicated women who spent their careers teaching newly freed slaves and turn-of-the-century teachers of immigrants are profiled, as well as exemplary instructors of today’s struggling teenagers. Education reformer Theodore Sizer, education historian David Tyack, and author Frank McCourt are featured. (56 minutes)

Everyday Goals

Cambridge Educational

Living life without a goal is like taking a trip without selecting a destination. This program explains the difference between goals and dreams; distinguishes between short- and long-term goals as well as personal, physical, financial, academic, and career goals; and offers strategies for achieving them. The importance of putting goals in writing, setting a timetable, staying focused, and being flexible is stressed. A Cambridge Educational Production. (29 minutes)

Making Your Presentation

Gully International

When it comes to public speaking, preparation is the key to success. Using a step-by-step approach, this program thoroughly addresses each part of the presentation process. The topics of smoking and alcohol act as platforms for building two separate informational presentations, both of which demonstrate planning and research; preparation of content, visuals, and handouts; rehearsal; and delivery. Advanced skills such as the use of body language and speaker/audience interaction are discussed, and stage fright is examined. On-screen outlines reinforce this thorough learning tool. (21 minutes)

Business Ethics: A 21st-Century Perspective

Meridian Education

The globalization of commerce has added new shades of gray to the complex subject of business ethics. In this program, Frank Daly, corporate ethics officer at Northrop Grumman; Thomas White, director of the Center for Ethics and Business at Loyola Marymount University; and David Vogel, of the Haas School of Business, analyze the challenges to making ethical choices in the Information Age. Issues raised include the need for multinationals to agree on a set of core international business values, the impact of ever-shrinking time frames on the decision-making process, and the necessity of secure data transmission. A Meridian Production. (16 minutes)

Drinking Responsibly

Benjamin Cummings

Alcohol, the most widely used psychoactive drug in the United States, contributes to approximately 100,000 deaths annually?fatalities that could very likely be prevented through education and treatment. This program is designed to promote a deeper understanding of the drinking problem in America, particularly among students on college campuses. The immediate and long-term behavioral and physiological effects of alcohol consumption are discussed as well, including blood alcohol concentration and alcohol absorption rates. (29 minutes)

Safe: Inside a Battered Women's Shelter

Tapestry International

Every 12 seconds in America, a woman is beaten by her husband or boyfriend. This program presents the experiences of three women who sought to break the cycle of violence by seeking refuge at a safe house, a place providing sanctuary for physically abused mothers and their children. Through their stories, Nancy, Jasmine, and Yenesia reveal a way of life in which the victims, hurt most by those who supposedly love them, often feel like the culprits. Safe at last, they realize that the abuse they suffered is not their fault; freed of guilt and fear, they can break the emotional ties that bind them to their abusers. (50 minutes)

Warning Signs: A Look at Teenage Violence

Meridian Education

Open any newspaper or listen to any news report and hear about teenage violence. This fast-paced, edgy video brings together experts, victims, and offenders to help viewers identify and detect the warning signs surrounding a violent situation. Victims explore the emotions of fear and helplessness while perpetrators expose the mayhem behind their emotions and offer ways to identify and deal with teens who may be most likely to strike. Experts who work with troubled teens share critical insight into the minds and behaviors of potentially violent individuals. Viewers will be given not only specific warning signs, but also an effective plan of action against a possibly volatile situation. A Meridian Production. One 24-minute video.

Friedrich Nietzsche: Beyond Good and Evil

Deutsche Grammophon GmbH

The prescient seeds of thought disseminated by Friedrich Nietzsche in the 19th century prefigured the pivotal 20th-century concepts of existentialism and psychoanalysis. In this program, interviews with Nietzsche biographers Ronald Hayman and Leslie Chamberlain, archivist Dr. Andrea Bollinger, translator Reg Hollingdale, writer Will Self, and philosopher Keith Ansell Pearson probe Nietzsche's life and elucidate his writings. In addition, his sister's role in editing his works for use as Nazi propaganda is highlighted. Extracts of Nietzsche's aphoristic prose, drawn from works such as The Parable of a Madman and Thus Spoke Zarathustra, aptly convey the essence of a supreme stylist and prophetic thinker. (50 minutes)

Linear Momentum and Newton's Laws of Motion

Goldhil Home Media International

In section one of this program, colliding basketball players demonstrate the Principle of Conservation of Momentum, while section two debuts all three of Newton's Laws of Motion, as illustrated by moving a large bookcase, hanging from a rope, and pushing against a wall. Newtonian concepts of inertia, force, mass, weight, equilibrium, tension, and momentum, plus free-body diagramming, are also covered. "Live the laws, love the laws, be one with the laws." (24 minutes)

A History of Education

TVA Films

Plato's academy was the first formal arena for education, where young men were tutored in the rigors of logic, philosophy, and mathematics. Prior to this, societies transmitted knowledge from one generation to the next orally, and after the advent of writing, through texts. Although education throughout history has been predominantly a privilege of the elite, universal education is currently seen as a basic right, necessary for a country's prosperity. This program traces the evolution of education through the ages, from oral traditions to its role in today's ever-changing society, where the need to learn new job skills is a constant necessity. (53 minutes)

Rape: An Act of Hate

WBZ-TV

FBI statistics show that a woman is raped every seven minutes in the United States. These are reported rapes; probably ten times as many rapes go unreported. Hosted by actress Veronica Hamel, this program seeks to determine why people rape and to help people protect themselves against this crime. It examines the history and mythology of rape, and explains who are its most likely victims. The program contains interviews with experts in the fields of media, law enforcement, and sociology. (30 minutes)

Before I Die: Medical Care and Personal Choices—A Fred Friendly Seminar

Fred Friendly Seminars

In the drive to save lives, American medical technology prolongs the dying process for many, creating a number of end-of-life scenarios that have done much to rob death of its dignity and significance. This Fred Friendly Seminar, moderated by Harvard Law School’s Arthur Miller, brings together a diverse group of panelists, including Yale professor Sherwin Nuland, author of How We Die; bioethicist Arthur Caplan, of the University of Pennsylvania; Rabbi Maurice Lamm, of Yeshiva University; and Anna Quindlen, author and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist. Together they confront medical and cultural issues such as advance directives, palliative care, physician-assisted suicide, the need to re-spiritualize the dying process, and the overall difficulty of discussing death. A viewable/printable viewer's guide is available online. (60 minutes)

Unamuno: Niebla

Ente Público Radiotelevisión

The most widely-read work of modern Spanish fiction is here presented in a brilliant production which makes the unravelings of its absurdist plot clear and turns its existentialist probings into logical, everyday conversation. The film is ideal as either a companion to reading or-where time is lacking-as a substitute. An RTVE Production. (Spanish, 60 minutes)

Integrating Instruction and Assessment

The College Board

This program explores the nature of authentic assessment and its impact on curriculum and instruction; identifies the economic and political pressures for accountability, which have driven school systems to adopt inadequate approaches to assessment; and highlights alternative assessment strategies and tools-those that help teachers make good instructional decisions, as well as those that help students develop self-monitoring and self-assessment strategies of their own. Many standardized tests currently in use are administratively efficient and psychometrically accurate, but for a variety of reasons have served to distort instruction and the definition of the achieving student. This program addresses the need for alternative instruments of assessment-assessment that is multidimensional and longitudinal, involves use of educational resources, addresses possibilities for improvement, reflects good classroom practice, and demonstrates clear standards shared by teachers and students. (42 minutes)

Bioterror: The Invisible Threat

Deutsche Grammophon GmbH

In the arsenal of terrorism, biological weapons, particularly anthrax, have many compelling characteristics. In this program, leading experts from both the U.S. and the former Soviet Union provide chilling commentary on why bioterrorism is likely to become a global threat, citing recent incidents as well as the once-classified results of a 1966 joint U.S. Army/CIA bio-weapon experiment conducted in the New York City subway. Dramatizations of simulated terrorist attacks and laboratory techniques bring home the relative ease of manufacture and extreme lethality of these weapons. (49 minutes)

Peter Singer: A Dangerous Mind

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dr. Peter Singer has been called the most influential living philosopher. He has also been called a monster. In this thought-provoking program, he faces his critics and discusses his ideas on euthanasia, abortion, and infanticide. The program follows his worldwide tour of lectures and encounters, including case conferences and a trip to Austria, where most of his family was killed in the Holocaust. A range of commentators consider his utilitarian stance and its impact on public policy, including Wesley J. Smith, a bioethicist and attorney with the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide; Raimond Gaita, professor of moral philosophy at London University; and Harold T. Shapiro, former president of Princeton University, where Dr. Singer teaches. (56 minutes)

English Goes Underground

Granada International Media

With the Norman invasion, English became a third language in its own country, behind French and Latin. In this program, Melvyn Bragg examines the impact of Old French on the development of English. Manuscripts, tapestries, and dozens of curious etymologies help illustrate a tremendous influx of vocabulary pertaining to romance, chivalry, and, of course, food. The influence of Eleanor of Aquitaine's patronage is heard in works of poets and troubadours as the cult of courtly love flourished in England. (52 minutes)

The Hospital Experience

Information Television Network (ITN)

A hospital is a place of healing and recovery. So why can the experience provoke feelings of anxiety, confusion, helplessness, and fear? This program will help relieve the stress of hospitalization by familiarizing you with what to expect. Topics include admittance procedures, your typical day in the hospital, interacting with your health care workers, and knowing your rights as a patient. As the program follows an actual patient through the process, social workers, nurses, doctors, and patient advocates discuss relevant issues along the way. (24 minutes)

Jane Jacobs: Urban Wisdom

Don Alexander

Through her groundbreaking books, Jane Jacobs has influenced the planning and understanding of cities and economies with what she calls a "web way of thinking." In this program, Jacobs shares her insights into urban planning by tracing the progression of ideas in her books, including The Death and Life of Great American Cities; The Economy of Cities; Cities and the Wealth of Nations; Systems of Survival; and her most recent, The Nature of Economies. An extended interview with Jacobs is blended with scenes from various North American cities and footage of her 1997 seminar, "Ideas That Matter." (45 minutes)

Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

What do modern art, a symphony, and a documentary film have in common? They all require aesthetic considerations. This program presents the ideas of key figures in the shaping and understanding of aesthetics—from Plato, Francis Hutcheson, and Kant to Leon Battista Alberti, Stendhal, and Tolstoy—and addresses pivotal writings, including Aristotle’s Poetics and Morris Weitz’s “The Role of Theory in Aesthetics.” Columbia University’s Arthur Danto and Princeton University’s Alexander Nehamas offer keen insights into the interactions between artist, artwork, and audience as they have evolved over the centuries. Part of the series Great Ideas of Philosophy I. (51 minutes)

Classical Greek Philosophy

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

What is “the good,” and why is it that one can never step into the same river twice? This program featuring Princeton University’s Alexander Nehamas and Richard Sorabji, honorary fellow at Wolfson College, the University of Oxford, addresses core topics in ancient philosophy such as freedom and fate, permanence and change, happiness, the nature of the cosmos, and the immortality of the soul. Concepts as articulated by key figures including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, and the Milesian and Eleatic philosophers—in combination with quotations drawn from Plato’s Republic, Aristotle’s Physics, and other influential sources—make this program an excellent tool for building a solid understanding of Western philosophy. Part of the series Great Ideas of Philosophy I. (51 minutes)

Metaphysics: What There Is

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

Systematic thought about the true nature of things is the very foundation of philosophical reasoning: idealism and materialism…realism, nominalism, and conceptualism…the noumenal and the phenomenal…logical positivism, emergentism, and modal realism. In this program, Rutgers philosophers Brian McLaughlin, Barry Loewer, John Hawthorne, Ted Sider, and Dean Zimmerman discuss the nature of this most ancient branch of philosophy, exploring concepts of causation, time, necessity, and possibility and contemplating the big questions of “Who am I?” and “Where am I?” In the process, they reference the works and theories of Aristotle, Plato, William of Ockham, Hume, Kant, Mill, Leibniz, and others. Part of the series Great Ideas of Philosophy I. (43 minutes)

Philosophy of Mind

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

The mysterious relationship between the mind and the body is avidly being researched by today’s cognitive scientists. This program seeks to understand the mind/matter dichotomy through the eyes of some of history’s keenest philosophers, including Descartes, Wittgenstein, Leibniz, Mill, Gilbert Ryle, Willard Van Orman Quine, Thomas Nagel, and John Searle. Three of today’s leading lights in this intriguing branch of philosophy—Colin McGinn and Brian McLaughlin, both of Rutgers University, and NYU’s Ned Block—share their views as well. Descartes’s Meditations, Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations, and Quine’s “Mind and Verbal Dispositions” are consulted. Part of the series Great Ideas of Philosophy I. (47 minutes)

Philosophy of Science

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

Does science explain the world, or does it simply describe it? Can science ever be truly objective? What is the boundary between science and non-science? Does nature have laws? This program seeks to answer questions such as these through the insights of Princeton University’s Daniel Garber; Hilary Putnam, of Harvard University; and Barry Loewer, of Rutgers University. Ranging from the Physics of Aristotle to the competing physics paradigms of Einstein and Bohr, the program illustrates the progression of scientific thought from ancient times, through the Renaissance, to the 21st century. Part of the series Great Ideas of Philosophy II. (46 minutes)

Global Capitalism and the Moral Imperative

University of Notre Dame

In the rising tide of the global economy, some boats are riding high, and some are being left high and dry. Moral leaders warn that global laissez-faire is producing consequences similar to those of the 19th century, when gaps between rich and poor kept thousands in abject poverty for generations. In this new era of social Darwinism, moral leaders are asking who in the world community will care for the needs of the poor, and how it will be accomplished. If economic and political reforms are necessary, as they were in the 19th century, we must determine who will initiate them, and how they will be enforced. (29 minutes)

The Evolution of Chile: Prosperity for Some

University of Notre Dame

In just 25 years, Chile has gone from a Marxist state to a dictatorship to a democracy. The transition has strengthened Chile's economy, but not all Chilean citizens have shared in the prosperity. In fact, the divisions between rich and poor have widened, causing critics to question whether democratic capitalism is the right solution. As the scenario unfolds, so do the moral issues surrounding the economic path Chile has chosen. Using Chile as a case study, this program examines these issues, and the difficulties experienced by other Third World nations also riding the tidal wave of post-Cold War economic reforms. (29 minutes)

World War I: The War That Failed to End Wars

Pathe Media

In 1914, the participants thought it would be a short war, to be fought on the order of Austerlitz with charging cavalry, the battle lasting an afternoon. But that's not the way it turned out, and when the war was over, so was the world from which it had sprung. Both sides were certain they knew what they were fighting for and that their side was right, but it is hard to see now what World War I achieved other than to destroy a whole generation of men, establish mechanization as a measure of strength in war, destroy the economies of Europe-and set the stage for World War II. (15 minutes)

Out of Harm's Way: Personal Safety at Home and Away from Home

Meridian Education

A parking lot at night, a lonely cash machine, a questionable Internet chat room: for muggers, stalkers, and other criminals, these are ideal hunting grounds for potential victims. Filmed in a compelling question-and-answer format involving law enforcement officers and a diverse group of adults, this no-nonsense program suggests safety protocols to use with cars, ATMs, elevators, the Internet, and the telephone; when exercising outdoors; and in the workplace and at home. The bottom line? Stay alert, act with confidence, and be prepared. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. A Meridian Production. (26 minutes)

Childhood Physical Abuse

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

This program from The Doctor Is In covers the range of problems in the area of physical abuse of children: the kinds of adults likely to abuse their children; the signs of such abuse; the effects on the children; the ways in which abuse should be dealt with; how abusive parents can break the cycle of their behavior and whether and how they should be punished; what happens to the children when the law steps in; the distinction between discipline and abuse; and whether and how the physical abuse of children can be prevented. A Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center production. (26 minutes)

Lenin According to Lenin

Pathe Media

This program uses Lenin's own words to tell the story of the Bolchevik rise to power: the overthrow of the Tsar and of the Kerensky government, the efforts at world Communist revolutions and the readiness to compromise in order to save the revolution in the Soviet Union, the ascendancy of the struggle against socialism over the struggle against capitalism. Thus the program explains the political background of the establishment of the totalitarian Soviet state and of its economic, social, and cultural policies-the precise institutions and policies that would in our time cause the destruction of what Lenin created by the force of his single-minded personality, his political acuity, his powerful oratory...and the weaknesses of the divided democratic opposition. (60 minutes, b&w/color)

The Blind Watchmaker: The Evolutionary Ideas of Richard Dawkins

BBC Worldwide Learning

British biologist Richard Dawkins is blunt in his support for evolutionary theory as opposed to "special creationism." This program, inspired by Dawkins' book, allows each side to present its best arguments-with some bias toward Darwinian evolution. The evidence is well-organized and current. Creationist ideas are vividly contrasted with contradictory data through observation, computer simulations, robotics, experiments, and close examination of designs in nature. The central argument here is that the diversity we see in such complex adaptations as the eye and insect mimicry can best be explained by cumulative natural selection over long periods of time. A BBC Production. (49 minutes)

Marcus Garvey: Toward Black Nationhood

Films for the Humanities & Sciences

This documentary examines the career of the pioneer black nationalist; it ranges from his birthplace in Jamaica to the United States, Europe, and Africa. Garvey (1887-1940) captured the imagination of black Americans during the 1920s with his impassioned call for an independent black nation. The program shows how Garvey's legacy inspired the civil rights movement in the U.S. and liberation movements throughout the Third World. (42 minutes)

Crimes Against Humanity: Justice Pursued

FULCRUM PRODUCTIONS LTD.

Rwanda, Argentina, East Germany, and Bosnia have been the locus for some of the most heinous acts of the last 20 years. In this program, Gerald Gahima, Rwanda's Minister of Justice, has the unenviable job of tracking down hundreds of Rwandans accused of perpetrating hideous atrocities against their neighbors during that country's recent civil war. We follow Gahima to Israel, where, in an emotional meeting with a former Nazi-hunter, Gahima receives advice on how to proceed. The torture and murder of thousands of young Argentines are detailed by a survivor. In East Germany, newly discovered Stasi training tapes paint a brutal portrait of political repression behind the Berlin Wall, while in Bosnia, efforts to track down the perpetrators of ethnic cleansing are ongoing. (50 minutes)

Portrait of Addiction

Doctoroff Media Group

In this program nine men and women—all recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction—tell their stories. The recovering addicts run the gamut: a former narcotics agent, now recovering from a cocaine habit; a mother of three who is a marketing specialist; a former addict and founder of Stand-Up Harlem, a community of HIV-positive addicts and recovering addicts; a journalist and former addict who actually served as the researcher for Moyers on the series. This candid testimony from people who have been there leaves no doubt that addiction can happen to anyone…and so can recovery. The DVD version of this program also includes a special video introduction by Mr. Moyers. (57 minutes)

Vision

BBC Worldwide Learning

This program argues that the human visual system is skillful at some things, but that we miss an amazing amount of what is going on right in front of our eyes. Whether spotting attractive people in a crowd, gauging depth and distance, or even predicting where things end up, the eyes are at their most perceptive. But clever experiments conducted at a nightclub by scientists from Sussex University illustrate that when a person's visual focus reaches its peak, other things within eyesight are missed. Discussion also focuses on the brain's processing of images, as well as the coordination of our sense of vision with our bodies. A BBCW Production. (30 minutes)

Moyers & Company: What Has Capitalism Done for Us Lately?

Doctoroff Media Group

In this edition of Moyers & Company, Bill is joined by economist Richard Wolff—author of Democracy at Work: A Cure for Capitalism—who dives into the topic of income inequality, analyzing the widening gap between a booming stock market and a population that increasingly lives in poverty. Wolff then takes questions sent in from around the world by viewers. Also on the show is Sheila Bair, the longtime Republican who served as FDIC chair during the fiscal meltdown five years ago. Bair joins Bill to talk about American banks’ continuing risky and manipulative practices, their seeming immunity from prosecution, and growing anger from Congress and the public. Bair is the author of Bull by the Horns: Fighting to Save Main Street from Wall Street and Wall Street from Itself. Broadcast date: March 22, 2013. (57 minutes)

The Future of Socially Responsible Investing: Ethical Markets 4

Ethical Markets Media

The popularity of ethical investing has grown over the past few decades, but when financial advisor Amy Domini started out in the industry, there wasn't much information about it available. Noting that most of her clients had lines they wouldn't cross, such as putting money into tobacco companies, she helped create the Domini 400 Social Index and wrote Socially Responsible Investing: Making a Difference and Making Money. In this program, Domini shares her insights about the future of socially responsible investing with Hazel Henderson, touching on quality management, the Occupy Wall Street and Tea Party movements, how the U.S. stacks up against Brazil and China, and more. Part of the series Ethical Markets 4. (26 minutes)

Life and Death: Medical Ethics of the Schiavo Case

NewsHour Productions

Many who followed the Terri Schiavo case struggled to make sense of the flurry of opinions it generated. This NewsHour program, recorded during the last days of Terri Schiavo’s life, presents two opposing yet thoroughly reasoned perspectives on the issues. Beth Israel Medical Center neurologist Dr. Russell Portenov explains the medical justification for removing the feeding tube, while Dr. Robert George, professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University and a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics, raises legal and moral questions surrounding the decision. Keeping its focus on the Schiavo controversy, the program also explores implications for other potential end-of-life situations. (14 minutes)

Days of Contempt: French Intellectuals in the 20th Century

Tele Images

This program covers the following topics: the rise of fascism, which at first seemed like a logical outgrowth of the October Revolution; the Nazi occupation of France and French collaboration; the Spanish Civil War; and resistance to fascism. A part of the series French Intellectuals in the 20th Century. ( Portions in French with English subtitles, 52 minutes)

Lost Illusions: French Intellectuals in the 20th Century

Tele Images

This program covers the following topics: the French Communist Party and anti-Stalinism; the Algerian War; Jean Genet; Franz Fanon; Sartre; and the cause of Third World revolution. A part of the series French Intellectuals in the 20th Century. ( Portions in French with English subtitles, 52 minutes)

The Demise of the Prophets: French Intellectuals in the 20th Century

Tele Images

This program covers the following topics: intellectuals and the new models like communist Cuba; birth of the Maoist intellectual, with Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir distributing Maoist tracts in the street; the revolutions in Iran and Cambodia, whose excesses led the intellectuals to a new cause—human rights; the death of Sartre; and the death of Chinese support for communism, as seen at Tiananmen Square. A part of the series French Intellectuals in the 20th Century. ( Portions in French with English subtitles, 52 minutes)

Funeral/Cemetery Fraud: Scammed

Learn Locker Inc.

This episode of Scammed reveals the horrifying story of a funeral home outside of Chicago that was involved in selling recycled graves—by disposing of the original remains and then burying the recently deceased in their place. Sherriff Tom Dart and victims of this fraud take you through their experiences of the entire ordeal—a ghastly fraud scheme that exploited grieving families and desecrated what were to be the final resting places of their loved ones. Some content may be objectionable. Viewer discretion is advised. (21 minutes)

Identity Theft: Scammed

Learn Locker Inc.

Identity theft has become a major and common type of fraudulent crime worldwide. Whether it involves forging documents or stealing personal information, identity theft is not limited by borders and it affects people of all walks of life. In this episode of Scammed, we meet Detectives Glass and Staab as they each guide us through two separate, fascinating identity theft cases. In the first half, Officer Glass shares with us a crime of forgery, through which we even meet the criminal—Rachel Ross. In the second half, Officer Staab takes us through a case in which a criminal assumed the identity of a victim in order to open accounts and take out loans in the victim’s name. Officer Staab and the victim, Bogdan Vovk, retell this tale of stolen and assumed identity theft. Some content may be objectionable. Viewer discretion is advised. (20 minutes)

Effects of Smoking

Ebix Inc.

Normal lungs are a healthy pink color; when they filter smoke they turn black, and the resulting tissue damage can lead to tumors and other serious lung disease. Smoking also affects the cardiovascular system, possibly leading to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, it's never too late to quit.

Out of Control: The Power of the Unconscious Mind

BBC Worldwide Learning

Research in neuroscience shows that the role played by the conscious mind is much smaller than was previously thought, which raises the question: Are we in control of our mind, or is the mind in control of us? This program reveals the surprising dominance of the unconscious mind in how we humans perceive and react to the world around us, influencing everything from what we eat to who we fall in love with. Explaining what’s behind gut instinct and how the establishment of new neural networks puts us on automatic pilot, the video also explores the possibility of harnessing the power of the subconscious mind. A BBC Production. Original BBC title: Out of Control. (59 minutes)

Sin: Sex, Death, and the Meaning of Life

BBC Worldwide Learning

Beginning with the assumption that there is no God, in this program biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins challenges the fallacy that without the notion of sin to stop them, people would have no reason to behave ethically. As part of his argument, he gives evidence that rates of violent crime have gone down in societies that put less emphasis on religion. A BBC Production. Part of the series Sex, Death, and the Meaning of Life. (47 minutes)

U.S.A.: Soldiers of Conscience

Journeyman Pictures

A U.S. Army study conducted after World War II revealed that a surprisingly large number of combat troops failed to fire on the enemy when given the chance to do so. It became clear that whether a soldier pulled the trigger or not, most wrestled with their conscience either during the event or afterward. In this program, a group of American soldiers—some who were able to kill with few qualms and some who have become conscientious objectors—discuss their positions on warfare. The film includes commentary from prominent antiwar activist Camilo Mejía, the first veteran to come home from Iraq and publicly refuse to return, and from Major Pete Kilner, a philosophy instructor at West Point, who brings nuance to the debate: “You can’t say you believe in human rights if you’re not willing to defend them,” Kilner says. (54 minutes)

South Africa: Lunchbox Bullies

Journeyman Pictures

It’s noon in the small South African township of Alexandra, and a group of 8-year-olds streams excitedly out of a classroom to eat their lunch. But Thabo, known for stealing from the others, stays inside. Like many of his peers in the poverty-stricken region, he is sent to school each day without food or money to buy a meal. Thabo and four of his classmates are profiled in this program about South African children whose family histories of abuse and neglect are causing behavioral problems at school. Viewers also hear from Gift, who is teased because his mother died of AIDS; Tshidi, bullied for being born outside of Johannesburg; and from frustrated teachers, parents, and guardians. (47 minutes)

Toxic Labels: The Dark Side of Outsourcing

Java Films

Western consumers are accustomed to buying low-cost garments, but in global terms there is a larger price to be paid-a price in human health, security, and dignity. It seems that many manufacturers still rely on dubious production models, benefitting from "legal" child labor in overseas factories or from a cruelty that afflicts victims of all ages-forced labor, also known as slavery. This program enters the sweatshops of Bangladesh, where girls like 12-year-old Khadija endure 60-hour work weeks. In Dhaka viewers meet Hanan, one of a growing number of laborers with diseased lungs, a result of his years spent sandblasting denim. Returning to Europe, the film accesses a confidential document from Inditex, owners of Zara, showing that every one of their Indian suppliers was graded D (the worst possible score) for breeches of their ethical charter. Can the virtuous claims of big-brand retail companies be trusted? A part of the series Underhand Tactics: Investigating Corporate Culture. (56 minutes)

Nicotine

Ebix Inc.

Nicotine is the chemical in cigarettes that makes them addictive. About 85 percent of smokers are addicted to nicotine. Higher levels of nicotine in a cigarette can make it harder to quit smoking. The amount of nicotine in cigarettes has steadily increased in the past decade. Higher nicotine levels have been found in all cigarette categories, including "light" brands. Some researchers feel nicotine is as addictive as heroin. In fact, nicotine has actions similar to heroin and cocaine, and the chemical affects the same area of the brain. Depending on the amount taken in, nicotine can act as either a stimulant or a sedative. Cigarette smoking has definite immediate positive effects. For example, it can boost mood and relieve minor depression, suppress anger, enhance concentration and short-term memory, and produce a modest sense of well-being. Most smokers have a special fondness for the first cigarette of the day because of the way brain cells respond to the day's first nicotine rush. Nicotine, particularly taken in the first few cigarettes of the day, increases the activity of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that elicits pleasurable sensations. This feeling is similar to getting a reward. Over the course of a day, however, the nerve cells become desensitized to nicotine. Smoking becomes less pleasurable, and smokers may be likely to increase their intake to get their "reward." A smoker develops tolerance to these effects very quickly and requires increasingly higher levels of nicotine.

Theater in the Modern World

ClickView Pty Limited

Not long after the start of the 20th century, playwrights, influenced by the horrors of two world wars, began to experiment with theater in a way which depicted many long-held historical, social, and cultural beliefs and practices as being meaningless and chaotic. Incorporating interviews with influential directors Bijan Sheibani, Steven Berkoff, and others, this program traces the evolution of modern theater from its existentialist roots through absurdism to social realism and British “kitchen sink drama” via the works of Ionesco, Beckett, Pinter, and even the writers of the U.K. soap opera Coronation Street. A viewable/printable worksheet is available online. (21 minutes)

Assumptions: Critical Thinking

ClickView Pty Limited

It’s natural to make assumptions. In some ways they save time and help people make effective decisions. But assumptions can sometimes be very wrong. This program offers exercises that illustrate the use of assumptions and that help students hone their critical thinking skills. Viewers are asked to find the assumptions in a film and discussion about the rise in binge drinking among young women, after which author Roy van den Brink-Budgen ( Critical Thinking for Students ) gives his analysis and provides follow-up support material. A viewable/printable worksheet is available online. Part of the series Critical Thinking. (26 minutes)

On the Trail of Evil: A Journey to the Center of the Brain

Albatross World Sales

They're charming, they lie effortlessly, and they can commit acts of extreme violence without the slightest twinge of remorse. Are such people born with no conscience? What are their thoughts as they rape, torture, and kill? Is there a way to recognize them before they do harm? In this fascinating documentary, experts trace the roots of psychopathy as they take on the “nature vs. nurture” debate, using medical technology and interviews with criminal offenders to support their theories. Chilling testimony from Congolese child soldiers and former Nazis reveals that even decent people from loving homes can become ruthless murderers...and are capable of justifying their actions. Some content may be objectionable. (53 minutes)

India's Dalits: Twist of Faith

Content Media

In fast-paced modern India, some traditions still hold fast. Though the country’s notorious caste system was officially abolished half a century ago, discrimination remains widespread. We meet Hema, a leader of Delhi’s sewage workers’ union. Despite having a master's degree and successful career, Hema is considered an “untouchable” because she is a Dalit, a member of India’s lowest social caste. The Dalits make up one-fifth of the country’s population. They are forbidden from marrying into upper caste families or even going to the same religious temples. We watch Hema’s struggle to rise above her assigned status, at great personal cost. Part of the series Twist of Faith. (22 minutes)

TEDTalks: Alain de Botton—Atheism 2.0

TED

What aspects of religion should atheists (respectfully) adopt? Alain de Botton suggests a "religion for atheists"—call it Atheism 2.0—that incorporates religious forms and traditions to satisfy our human need for connection, ritual, and transcendence. Through his witty and literate books and his School of Life, Alain de Botton helps others find fulfillment in the everyday.

Selection in Action: Natural Selection

Granada Media

This program provides arguments in favor of continental drift and the one-time existence of a supercontinent, shows how isolation can give rise to different species and how species develop in response to their environments, and explains clines and suggests the reason for their existence. After viewing the program, students should understand the significance of the continental drift theory, the purpose of studying inherited variation in isolated populations, and the conclusions about an isolated environment in a species' ancestry that can be drawn from the presence or absence of variation. (20 minutes)

The Executive Branch of Government: A Study of Federal and State Government

Cambridge Educational

This fast-paced and informative program shows students how the Constitution established the Executive Branch, and provided for the separation of powers and the relationship of the Executive Branch to the Legislative and Judicial Branches of the federal and state government. Specific roles of the Chief Executive are defined such as Commander-in-Chief, Foreign Policy Director, Legislative Leader, Party Leader, Popular Leader, and Chief of State, interspersed with interviews of state and national Executive Office Staff, Legislators, Media, Historians, and others. In addition, the program explains how the role of the Chief Executive has evolved in terms of its influence and exercise of power since the Constitution was ratified. A Cambridge Educational Production. (30 minutes)

The Bill of Rights: A Living Document

Cambridge Educational

Brief animations introduce key issues in this look back at the Bill of Rights. A host weaves together past and present, while civics experts explore the complexity of the issue of individual rights versus common good. Related topics include hate speech, school newspapers, random drug testing, gun control, and terrorism. Historical segments discuss Colonial Militias, the Intolerable Acts, Freedom of Worship, the Rights of Accused Persons, and the origins of the individual rights concept. A Cambridge Educational Production. (23 minutes)

The Judicial Branch of Government

Cambridge Educational

This program focuses on the Judicial Branch and its role in government. The Supreme Court's decisions concerning school desegregation, school prayers, abortion, prison overcrowding, the death penalty, and the rights of criminal defendants are explored. Students see how the Court's decisions affect their daily lives, how it resolves disputes without bloodshed, how it interprets our laws and explains what they mean, and how it prevents the other branches from abusing their power. A Cambridge Educational Production. (35 minutes)

The Roots of Belief: Animism to Abraham, Moses, and Buddha

Linguae

Neanderthals begin burying their dead in sepulchers that simulate their huts in an attempt to connect with the spiritual world. When God first speaks to Abraham, he becomes the father of three great religions: Judaism, and subsequently Christianity and Islam. Moses leads the children of Israel out of slavery and into the Promised Land. Buddha, "The Awakened One," teaches humans to transcend their worldly desires. This program traces these stories, and their inevitable path toward the institutionalization of religious practice. (51 minutes)

A Separate Peace: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism

Linguae

This program examines the structure and major tenets of these four eastern religious philosophies. The role of the spiritual master in Hinduism is defined, and the belief in transcendental power and a multitude of deities is explained. The history of Buddhism is traced from the 6th century BC. Reincarnation and nonviolence are discussed as major beliefs. Chinese Taoism, especially its stress on the equilibrium of forces, is examined. Shintoism, a Japanese religion, is presented as a form of animism in which nature is composed of a multitude of deities: the kami. Shintoism's coexistence in Japan with Buddhism is explained as follows: "Shintoism is in charge of birth and marriage; Buddhism is in charge of death." (54 minutes)

Remember the Maine: The Roots of the Spanish-American War

Café Productions

"The U.S.S. Maine Blown Up in Havana Harbor-268 Men Lost" shouted the headlines of the day. Using archival footage, newspaper excerpts, and historical documents, this program traces the roots of the Spanish-American War to Spain's quest to preserve its flagging empire, American imperialism, and the genuine desire on the part of Cubans to shake off the yoke of Spanish domination. It closely examines the role of Cuba's poet/patriot Jose Marti, exposes American expansionist policies that contributed to our decision to enter the war, and reveals Spanish attempts to thwart open conflict. (50 minutes)

Public Relations

Planet Pictures

Since the first written account of public relations–like activities in ancient Greece, PR professionals have been on record as shapers and reshapers of public opinion. This program defines the role of public relations, differentiating it from advertising, and examines the way in which PR operates. In addition, industry professionals discuss the contributions of Ivy Lee and the founder of modern PR, Edward L. Bernays; the role of public relations in America’s two world wars; the shamefully successful Lucky Strike cigarettes campaign to make smoking in public fashionable for women; and the Ad Council and public service announcements. Crisis intervention is examined, as in the well-handled case of the tainted Tylenol scare, and the botched damage control of the Exxon Valdez disaster. The program does an excellent job of explaining a difficult-to-understand and often maligned industry. (28 minutes)

Seeing is Believing

National Geographic

In this episode, you’re not going to be able to believe your eyes. Through a series of fun, interactive games and illusions, we’ll show you that what you see shouldn’t always be trusted - and often it’s your brain that’s to blame. A National Geographic Production.

Zeitgeist: Addendum—Social Pathology

Sideways Film

This program exposes various levels of international corruption via the financial and corporate systems—including the manipulation of public leaders to further the interests of corporate institutions. A part of Zeitgeist: The Series. (31 minutes)

Faceless: Inside a Psychiatric Ward

Journeyman Pictures

Since Maria was found dancing on a line of train tracks, it’s a good bet that confinement in a mental ward saved her life. Still, she says, she prefers freedom to the “freedumb” of the medicated world she now resides in. Many of her fellow patients are equally ambivalent about being institutionalized. One admits that his fear of being irradiated by electrical outlets may be due to the faulty wiring in his own mind. Another actually longs for more electrical shock treatments since they bring a sensation of “complete peace.” And then there’s the man who’s discharged even though he’s still hearing voices—they’re not telling him to kill himself today, so what’s the harm of reentering society? Following Maria through this claustrophobic landscape of uncertainty and anguish, viewers are allowed to explore the darkest catacombs of the psyche as well as the ever-present human tendency to search for a way out. (52 minutes)

Changes in Society: Heroes of the Enlightenment

BBC Worldwide Learning

By the end of the 18th century, many Enlightenment ideals about society had been put into practice by three remarkable men: Nicolas de Condorcet, who advocated for civil rights, the abolishment of slavery, and gender equality; Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence; and Frederick the Great, whose “enlightened absolutism” meant religious tolerance in Prussia. This program profiles their achievements. A BBC Production. Part of the series Heroes of the Enlightenment. (Portions with English subtitles, 52 minutes)

Hospital Security: In the Line of Duty, Volume 9

In the Line of Duty

When a criminal is hurt, injured, or wounded, he/she must receive proper treatment. However, the security challenges for law enforcement can be innumerable. Contains graphic crime-related violence. Some language may be offensive. Part of the series In the Line of Duty, Volume 9. (35 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: A Look at Communism

Prelinger Archives

This lesson warns its viewers to resist communism after explaining how it is actively trying to destroy all capitalist nations, succeeding through the promotion of socialism in Europe. It explains communism's concepts of "Dialectical Materialism, Economic Determinism, and Atheism" from the perspective of the threats that they pose to capitalism. (10 minutes)

Anatomy of Hate: A Dialogue for Hope

Michael Ramsdell

To make this film, director Michael Ramsdell spent six years among organizations that define themselves in ideological opposition to other groups, sometimes with extreme hatred. As he spent time with white supremacists, Muslim extremists, militant fundamentalist Christians, participants on both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and American combatants in Iraq, he began to unravel the mystery of the anatomy of hate. The resulting documentary mixes profoundly disturbing footage of racist and antigay tirades with interviews from sociologists and neuroscientists who explain the psychological—rather than political or religious—mechanisms that make people take violent action against other groups. Throughout the film, stories of redemption told by former hate group members prove that inner change is possible. While the film can be difficult to watch, it should prompt thoughtful discussion in sociology, psychology, anthropology, and political science classes. Some content may be objectionable. Contains harsh and inflammatory language. (88 minutes)

What's Your Point, Honey? Young Women Prepare for Leadership

Amy Sewell

She’s out there somewhere. She may be a complete unknown, or she may already be in the public spotlight, but sooner or later the first female president of the United States will emerge. While openly acknowledging today’s inequalities, this film puts a new face on America’s future by introducing several promising young leaders, all of them women. Viewers learn about an innovative program created by CosmoGirl magazine and the White House Project, designed to encourage young women to pursue management roles and to think of themselves as potential office holders. Interwoven with the stories of these hopeful, ambitious interns are conversations with feminist thinkers and activists from previous generations—including the iconic Gloria Steinem, who reflects on her personal journey as well as the challenges and opportunities girls face today. (87 minutes)

The Solution: Women at the Top

Open University

After realizing that the business she founded lacked women in key management roles, Hilary Devey set out a plan of action. In this program, Devey explores ways to create a more equitable male-to-female ratio in business. Traveling to Norway, where a quota system now requires companies to award 40% of board positions to women, she learns how change is implemented—and whether the new women board members are merely “tokens.” Devey also assesses alternatives, such as changing the corporate culture, mentoring of female colleagues, and sharing childcare duties with one’s spouse. Produced by the Open University. Part of the series Women at the Top. (59 minutes)

Diversity in the Workplace: Playing Your Part

ClickView Pty Limited

In workplaces, as in any other part of society, people are diverse. They come from different cultures and may have different belief systems, values, and religions. There is also diversity in interpersonal styles, mental ability, sexual orientation, age, and ways of thinking and learning. Using dramatized scenarios, this program shows how a wide range of personnel can work together successfully. Topics covered include the scope of diversity, responding sensitively, knowing the guidelines, communicating appropriately, and building on diversity. A viewable/printable worksheet is available online. (23 minutes)