Methodology

Anes Tabuni

The negative portrayal of Muslims and Islam in Hollywood movies has been a topic of concern for many years. As such, conducting a thorough analysis of the consequences that Hollywood creates by using Muslim stereotypes is imperative. To this end, I have developed a comprehensive methodology that involves several steps.

The first step is to conduct a literature review of relevant literature related to the research question. This review will help me understand how films influence people's minds and the extent to which post-9/11 anti-Muslim prejudice affects Muslim representation in Hollywood movies. Additionally, it will explore the lack of Islamic culture and the negative representation of Muslim women in Hollywood movies. It will also explore how these stereotypes shape the thinking and wrong of depictions of Muslim people. I will draw on the issues Muslims face today and try to understand where the hate is derived from. 

For my research, I will be analyzing three movies, namely Aladdin, Iron Man 3, and American Sniper, that are guilty of perpetuating negative stereotypes of Muslims. In order to conduct a thorough evaluation, I will be examining the characters' appearance, actions, and dialogue, as well as the scenes' overall presentation. I have come across various approaches for analyzing films and will be selecting the most appropriate one for each movie. I plan to use three different methods: Formal Analysis, which focuses on a film's formal elements such as cinematography, sound, editing, and mise-en-scène; Ideological Analysis, which considers how the movie represents social values and beliefs and how it may reproduce or challenge dominant ideologies; and Narrative Analysis, which examines the film's storytelling techniques such as plot, character development, and themes (UNC Writing Center). Through this analysis, I aim to identify how Hollywood reinforces negative preconceptions and beliefs that have a detrimental impact on the portrayal of Muslims and Islam in popular culture. My research will emphasize the need for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Muslim stereotypes in Hollywood movies. It will highlight the importance of promoting diversity in Hollywood films and taking steps to combat negative stereotypes of Muslims and Islam. By taking these steps, we can help create a more equitable and just society that embraces diversity and inclusion.

To gather first-hand information, I will develop a survey that will be sent out to Muslim students. The survey will ask questions about their experiences of being a student in the university and whether they have experienced hate or discrimination because of their religion. Additionally, the survey will ask for their thoughts on solutions that the university can implement to enhance their experience. After collecting the survey data, I will conduct a thorough analysis to identify key themes and patterns that emerge from the data. This analysis will help me gain insights into the experiences of Muslim students and identify potential solutions to combat negative stereotypes.

The final step will be to develop a short video summarizing the survey results and possible solutions for combating the negative impact of Muslim stereotypes in Hollywood movies. This video will include a call to action for institutions, universities, communities, and individuals to take steps to promote diversity and combat negative stereotypes. By doing so, we can help create a more inclusive and accepting society.

Finally, everything will be showcased and presented on Senior Project Night. My presentation will include a summary of my literature and everything that I have read. My presentation will also include important demographic data about Muslims in the United States. This information will be presented through graphs and charts, showing the diversity within the Muslim population in terms of ethnicity, language, and country of origin. I will also present data on hate crimes committed against Muslims, particularly after the September 11 attacks, and discuss the impact of these crimes on the Muslim community. Furthermore, I will present general facts about Islam and Muslim culture to provide context for the negative stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood. This information will be used to counteract misconceptions about Islam and Muslims and to highlight the diversity and richness of Muslim culture.

Overall, my presentation aims to raise awareness about the negative impact of Muslim stereotypes in Hollywood movies and to encourage individuals and institutions to take action towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society. By analyzing movies, gathering first-hand experiences from Muslim students, and presenting demographic and general facts, my presentation provides a comprehensive approach to understanding and combating negative stereotypes.

References: 

Business News Daily. n.d. "How to Develop a CTA: 10 Tips for Writing Compelling Calls to Action." Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15935-how-to-develop-a-cta.html.

Clements, Ron, and John Musker. 1992. Aladdin. United States: Buena Vista Pictures.

Eastwood, Clint. 2014. American Sniper. United States: Warner Bros.

Harvard Business School Online. n.d. "Data Collection Methods: The Ultimate Guide." Accessed March 13, 2023. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/data-collection-methods.

Marvel Studios. 2013. Iron Man 3. Burbank, Calif.: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Pew Research Center. n.d. "Writing Survey Questions." Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.pewresearch.org/our-methods/u-s-surveys/writing-survey-questions/.

UNC Writing Center. n.d. "Film Analysis." Accessed March 13, 2023. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/film-analysis/.