Overview
Why do some movies inspire us to chase our dreams while others tell us to give them up? What message does Hollywood send about personal responsibility and individual ambition? John Stossel and attorney Tim Sandefur explore how classic films such as The Pursuit of Happyness and The Wizard of Oz celebrate the power of the individual, while newer productions often push collectivist messages that discourage personal ambition. This thought-provoking video connects entertainment to deeper questions about freedom, self-ownership, and the American dream.

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Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Other
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• identify examples of individualistic and collectivist themes in popular films;
• compare how classic movies and recent Hollywood productions portray personal ambition and self-reliance;
• analyze the relationship between cultural messaging in entertainment and societal values about freedom and responsibility; and
• evaluate the importance of self-ownership and individual rights in a free society.

Key concepts and terms covered
Collectivism, Individualism, Propaganda, Self-ownership, and Self-reliance.

Sample discussion questions
• What movies does John Stossel mention as examples of films that celebrate individualism?
• What does Tim Sandefur mean when he says each person is responsible for his or her own decisions and life?
• Is it selfish to pursue your own dreams? How does Sandefur answer this question?
• What are the potential consequences of a culture that discourages individual ambition and achievement?
• If you were making a movie to inspire young people, what message would you want it to send?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 21-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, classroom activities, and the full video transcript.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.

Related resources
• The Grade Experiment — A short video that uses a relatable classroom scenario to introduce students to concepts of incentives, motivation, and collective vs. individual reward systems.