Breaking Bad

[UVACoug]

I enjoyed it. It was fun. Jesse Plemons and Aaron Paul were both terrific (as was Robert Forster ... RIP). I don't think it was necessary though and was definitely a bit more fan servicey than I would have preferred with all the flash backs. My only serious problem with it is the decision to delay Better Call Saul to make this.

I think a movie about Jesse in Alaska would have been more interesting.

[Commando]

I loved it. Just a fun ride and one more visit to that world. I loved that flashback w Jesse & Walt, the gunslinger duel, and Robert Forster's last film/tv appearance ever as the 'disappearer.' Would it have killed Jesse Plemons to hit the Joaquin Phoenix diet for a couple months to reprise Todd? Oh well. Despite that, he was great and Aaron Paul was great.

I binged BB over the last couple weeks leading up to El Camino, and I have to say-- Walt runs the gamut all the way to being fully irredeemable, (him shooting Mike was impulsive and he is clearly freaked out by his own actions, but when he orders the hit on Jesse... you know he's just done) and that's where he stays until he picks up the phone in that bar in New Hampshire after learning his family- the only thing he cares for- has fully and finally rejected him. That's his rock-bottom, and he gives up. That is, until he is jarred into one last hurrah by his former partners publicly lamenting how inconsequential Walter White was. His final attempt at redemption wasn't enough to save himself or his relationship with his family, but he did secure his kids' future and rescue Jesse. Kind of an Anakin Skywalker redemption, but a redemption nonetheless.

[CJF]

My unpopular view is that this was kind of a waste of time. Sure, I liked it but what was the point? I thought the ending of BB was about as close to perfect as you could get. I figured Jesse headed straight to the vacuum salesman and got out of town. Sure, we get to see more details and just how tortured Jesse had been by Todd and the gang, but that was pretty well implied in the series. If you’re going to do a movie do something that carries the story forward. All this did was cheapen the finale by adding on a couple new episodes.

[Sullyute]

I liked the movie a lot , but like Cardiac, thought all the flash backs to all the BB characters over done.

[myboynoah]

El Camino was like a solid, extended BB episode.

Random Mormon reference. Ever since I BCS season 1, where I suspected the family who stole the city’s money was likely intended to be a Mormon family (although I was lambasted here, the actress playing the crook says that she based her character in Anne Romney), I’ve suspected there’s a exmo amongst the staff. There have been several references to the church throughout the series.

She did a pretty shitty job of that.

[Green Monstah]

I have been binge re-watching this past weekend. I liked WW the first time through. I remember arguing a bit with others here over his likability factor. This time, I find myself like you creek, being detested by him. His weakness in choosing the easy wrong over the hard right time and time again is intolerable to me. I don't know if it's more life experience for me. Or it's rewatching knowing the ending in mind. But either way, it's a great show.

There's a scene in El Camino that addresses Walt's motivation. I guess it probably doesn't need to be said, but it was sort of nice to hear him say it.

[jay santos]

I had never watched more than a couple episodes of this series before this week. But this week, with my wife out of town on business, I binged 4.5 seasons. It is a fantastic show. But I will say that I do not like Walter White very much. I find him detestable in most ways. He is petty and mean spirited, an apparent sociopath, not to mention a cold-blooded killer. And even putting aside the deaths depicted in the show, this guy has supplied literally tons of meth to thousands of people which, I think we can safely assume, did not improve many of their lives.

That said, I am eager to see the second half of the last season, but will likely not get to it until my wife's next trip which is, I think, next week.

I have been binge re-watching this past weekend. I liked WW the first time through. I remember arguing a bit with others here over his likability factor. This time, I find myself like you creek, being detested by him. His weakness in choosing the easy wrong over the hard right time and time again is intolerable to me. I don't know if it's more life experience for me. Or it's rewatching knowing the ending in mind. But either way, it's a great show.

[Green Monstah]

El Camino was like a solid, extended BB episode.

Random Mormon reference. Ever since I BCS season 1, where I suspected the family who stole the city’s money was likely intended to be a Mormon family (although I was lambasted here, the actress playing the crook says that she based her character in Anne Romney), I’ve suspected there’s a exmo amongst the staff. There have been several references to the church throughout the series.

[CardiacCoug]

Anyone else watch El Camino yet? Wasn’t really what I expected (not sure what I expected, tbh), but I enjoyed it. I wish I had watched the last season of BB again before watching it. It’s been a while since I watched it, so felt a little lost in a couple spots. Not too bad though.

Yep my 18-year old son who just binge-watched Breaking Bad a few months ago appreciated El Camino more than I did I think. For example I knew fat Jesse Plemons’ tarantula had appeared earlier but had no idea the context of why Jesse would be feeding it. My son was all over that and other details.

[Northwestcoug]

It was good. Maybe not as good as BB at its best but still worthwhile television in an era where there isn’t much of that.

It was a little distracting to see how fat Todd has gotten since the show ended.

LOL, I thought the same thing. Todd must have done a lot of meth the last few weeks of his life to have dropped that weight.

I liked it too, didn’t love it. I would have liked to see some of the flashback scenes cut, and flesh out Jesse’s new start a bit more.

[All-American]

Anyone else watch El Camino yet? Wasn’t really what I expected (not sure what I expected, tbh), but I enjoyed it. I wish I had watched the last season of BB again before watching it. It’s been a while since I watched it, so felt a little lost in a couple spots. Not too bad though.

It was good. Maybe not as good as BB at its best but still worthwhile television in an era where there isn’t much of that.

It was a little distracting to see how fat Todd has gotten since the show ended.

[UVACoug]

Anyone else watch El Camino yet? Wasn’t really what I expected (not sure what I expected, tbh), but I enjoyed it. I wish I had watched the last season of BB again before watching it. It’s been a while since I watched it, so felt a little lost in a couple spots. Not too bad though.

[dabrockster]

I think it’s time hit this show again..


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[wuapinmon]

Send me that syllabus! Probably as good a time as any to dip back into the show.

Breaking Bad and Classical Strain Theory
Davidson Hall 109
TTH 2:30 - 3:45



Course Description and Objectives
Breaking Bad was a highly acclaimed television series chronicling the criminal dealings of high-school-teacher-turned-methamphetamine-crime-boss Walter White. While the series received numerous awards across its 5-season run, it is also noteworthy for its excellent depiction of Robert Merton’s Classical Strain Theory. Using Breaking Bad as reference point, this class provides a detailed examination of Merton’s theoretical model. Course content includes an overview of Classical Strain Theory, Merton’s Adaptations to Strain, and the policy implications of Merton’s work.

The culture of Latin America is also featured prominently in the Breaking Bad series, especially that of New Mexico and Old Mexico. There are characters in the show from Chile, Mexico, the USA, and Honduras. Cultural elements such as narcocorridos, the cult of La Santa Muerte, and the difference between ethnicity and race will be discussed.


After completing this course, students will be able to discuss Merton’s work with peers in the field, apply his theoretical framework to social policy, and gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of Breaking Bad’s protagonist Walter White. They will also be able to discuss many of the cultural references from Latin America in the series, and be able to situate them within the larger sub-culture of the United States, thereby understanding how Merton’s Adaptations extend across sub-cultures and borders to impact multiple societies.

Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, we ask that you engage with all material with an open mind.

Required Course Materials
Merton, Robert. 1996. Robert Merton: On Social Structure and Science. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0226520711


Additional readings will be placed into a folder in Blackboard.

Students are required to have access to the Breaking Bad television series. The series is available on various streaming services and on DVD and Blu-Ray. There is also a copy on reserve in the LITC. It may be checked out, but you cannot take it from the library; it has to be watched there. The call number is PN1992.77.B74 2014 and it is at the reference desk.


Communication
We often send notices and announcements by e-mail and Blackboard, so you will need to check your student email and Blackboard daily (if not more often). If you ever need to contact us, we are best reached by email and will make every effort to respond within 24 hours (usually sooner).

Grading
Final Course grades will be calculated as follows:
Attendance & Participation (5%)
Applied Knowledge Project(30%)
Reflections(25%)
Term Paper (40%)
Total(100%)



Assignments
Class Participation
You are expected to attend class regularly, have completed the assigned reading before class, and be prepared to offer thoughtful commentary and/or questions. Participations points are earned by substantively contributing to class discussion.

Reflections
You are expected to submit a total of 6 reflections. These assignments will take multiple forms, but at their core should present a serious engagement with course material. Reflections are randomly assigned based on class discussion.

Term Paper
You are expected to write an 20+ page paper that summarizes, analyzes, and advocates a position in relation to a topic related to the course. Due to stare decisis, papers are expected to be both theoretically sound as well as grounded in legal precedents.

This assignment consists of a series of smaller projects that will aid in the finished product. The following mini-assignments will be added together for the total term paper grade:

Annotated Bibliography 15%
Paper Outline 20%
Review Draft 20%
Final Draft 45%
Total 100%

Annotated Bibliography
Adhering to APA formatting, students must composed an annotated bibliography consisting for 18 academic sources.

Paper Outline
Students must present a detailed outline for the term paper. Important sections include, but are not limited to, the research question and organization of the literature review.

Paper Drafts
Three drafts of the paper must be turned in throughout the semester. Each draft should demonstrate a significant investment of time and research. Underdeveloped drafts will not be accepted.


Applied Knowledge Project (AKP)
Students will develop an original project that requires them to meaningfully apply course information. The form this project takes is completely up to the student(s). Groups of up to three are permitted.


The final grade for this project will be based on the following:

Proposal10%
Consultation 115%
Consultation 215%
Presentation20%
Final Product40%
Total 100%


Proposal
Students must construct a 3+ page proposal that clearly outlines the objective(s) of their applied knowledge project. The proposal should consist of a basic literature review detailing the theoretical grounding for the project, the nature of the project, and the significance of each of its components.


Consultations
Using Google Calendar, students are expected to schedule two meetings with the instructor to review the progress of the project. During these meetings, students must have something to show for work. “Still thinking” will not be acceptable for consultations.


Presentation
Each student/group will need to present their final project to the class. Presentations should be 15 minutes in length and demonstrate the significance of the project.


Final Product
At the conclusion of the course, each student/group must turn in their completed project. It will be assessed based on its ability to fulfill the objects outline the student/group’s proposal. This project should also demonstrate a serious invest of time and scholarly standards.


Absences
Class periods are comprised of both lecture and discussion. Thus, your attendance is essential to success in this course. However, unexpected events do arise which may prevent you from attending. For this reason, you will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. All additional unexcused absences will result in a one-letter grade penalty.

[Pelado]

Do you not have netflix?

Season 5 started out bland and slow for me, but boy did it end well. Stressful to say the least!

Funny you should ask. We've had it off and on. My wife just signed up for it again a couple of nights ago. Last night was the first time I looked at its offerings and saw Breaking Bad. So now I'm watching the streaming version instead of the discs.

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