You are here:

Raise the Song: The History of Penn State

Name: Raise the Song: The History of Penn State
Released: 2008

No Poster Available

Representation Score

2.3/10

Limited

2008

NOT RATED

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Raise the Song: The History of Penn State serves as a conventional institutional chronicle. It traces the university's growth from the Farmers' High School through various American historical milestones. While the film provides context for major social shifts like suffrage and civil rights, these elements serve more as historical backdrops rather than central themes of identity. The narrative emphasizes the continuity and prestige of a traditional Western academic institution. By focusing on institutional milestones and stability, the documentary reinforces established civic structures without challenging social hierarchies or highlighting diverse perspectives.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Raise the Song: The History of Penn State have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses on the institutional history and academic evolution of Penn State. It does not include specific stories or character arcs related to LGBTQ+ individuals.

How does Raise the Song: The History of Penn State portray gender?

Fair

The film highlights the women's suffrage movement as part of its historical context. However, the primary focus is on agricultural and academic development, which aligns with traditional patriarchal structures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Raise the Song: The History of Penn State?

Limited

The narrative mentions the civil rights movement and acknowledges progress in racial equality. Nevertheless, the main emphasis is on the university's expansion rather than on diverse student bodies or multi-layered identities.

How does Raise the Song: The History of Penn State represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film follows a traditional Western narrative, celebrating the stability of the state-chartered institution within the broader American historical context.

Does Raise the Song: The History of Penn State include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no mention of individuals with physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film. Specific stories or narratives about disabilities are not present.

Present on Screen

The film acknowledges significant historical social shifts such as the suffrage and civil rights movements.
It offers a clear chronological survey of the university's evolution within American history.

Limited or Absent

The documentary lacks specific narratives or character arcs addressing LGBTQ+ identities.
It focuses on traditional institutional growth rather than diverse or perspectives that reflect multiple aspects of identity.
There is no evidence of representation for individuals with disabilities.

Official Synopsis

This 60-minute documentary produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU-TV) examines the people and events that have taken the Commonwealth's land-grant university from its humble roots as the Farmers' High School to an internationally recognized place of learning. Since the charter of the Farmers' High School was adopted in 1855, America has seen 30 presidents, a civil war, the women's suffrage movement, the Great Depression, two world wars, the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the September 11 terrorist attacks-but through it all, Penn State has become one of the world's foremost teaching and research institutions, touching nearly every important era and event in American history.

How are these scores produced? →