The document provides instructions for a case study assignment on the film "Hidden Figures" for a leadership class. Students are asked to watch the film, which tells the true story of three African American women who worked as mathematicians at NASA in the 1960s. They played a key role in NASA's first space missions despite facing racism. The assignment prompts students to take notes on themes like conflict, culture, race and gender. It includes questions to analyze conflicts faced by the main characters and people of color more broadly at the time. Students will submit individual written responses and also work in groups to research and present further on topics brought up in the film.

1. PROFESSOR C. Cavanaugh
SP21
trinity western university
LDRS 400 SP21Conflict in the real worldHidden Figures
(2016)In-Class notes & case study assignmentDue February
25th, 2021STUDENT NAME:
__________________________________________STUDENT #:
________________________________________________
HIDDEN FIGURES (2016) tells the inspirational story of three
African-American mathematicians; Katherine G. Johnson,
Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. During the Cold War, the
trio worked at NASA’s Langley Research Centre in Hampton as
the US raced against the USSR to put a man into space. The
intellectuals played a vital role in the launch of the now late
astronaut John Glenn into orbit as well as in orchestrating his
safe return. The film is based on the book by Margot Lee
Shetterly. As we screen this film we will analyzing conflict,
culture, race, gender, difficult conversations and negotiations.
This film provides the backdrop in which you will work
together in groups to conduct research and present your findings
to your classmates.
During & after the movie – take notes using the following
prompts to guide you. You will use these notes and ideas for
your group project work so be sure to pay attention.
Each student will complete this case study assignment online
(assignment worksheet posted in the moodle). You have two
weeks to complete and submit it to the dropbox.

2. I will review your submission and return them to you with any
comments necessary. This assignment will be useful as you
work on your group project and will count as 5% towards your
total grade for your group project (20%). Thoughtful responses
and observations, questions and reflections will be used to
grade your submission. Point form is acceptable but be sure to
answer the questions as best you can.
IDENTIFY THE MAJOR EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE IN
THIS FILM. ThE Larger Conflict of RACISM IN THE SOUTH:
Based on what you observed from the movie, identify and
discuss the larger conflict that was taking place in the South of
the United States at this time. Describe it. What was it about?
Why was it important? (You may want to do further internet
research to understand more about Civil Rights Movement in
the United States).Who were the 4-6 key people we see in this
film and briefly describe their relationship to each and to the
conflict in the movie.

3. iii. Discuss the ripple effect of this conflict at NASA and how
this large conflict created other conflicts through the film and in
the lives of the characters portrayed. How did racism against
negroes (black people) affect the key people you met in this
film? How did it affect black people in in the story? How did it
affect the other white people in the South? HIDDEN FIGURES:
CONFLICT AT NASAUsing the template below and on the next
page, outline 3 conflicts you observed from the film that the
three women (Katherine, Mary, and Dorothy) went through and
answer the questions in the template.
Conflict
Who was involved?
What Happened?
Feelings or emotions of people involved?
Was it resolved? Yes or No or Not Sure
Why or Why not was it resolved?
Example:
Conflict with Katherine Johnson and her boss Al Harrison over
her long breaks during her worktime
Katherine and Al (her boss)
She told him that there wasn’t a colored bathroo m for her to use
close by and she had to walk a half mile to use a bathroom. Al
Harrison was unaware that this was happening.

4. Katherine was upset when confronted and let the whole room
know how she felt discrimnated against. Al Harrison, was
speechless and shocked to learn of this. Her co-workers were
also stunned.
Yes, her boss made sure that she and her other co-workers who
were negroes could use any bathroom at NASA
Even though racism persisted in the minds of the characters, Al
Harrison made it clear he would not tolerate it while he was in
leadership at NASA and made it very clear by tearing the sign
down himself.
Conflict
Who was involved?
What Happened?
Feelings or emotions of people involved?
Was it resolved? Yes or No or Not Sure
Why or Why not was it resolved?

6. Conflict
Who was involved?
What Happened?
Feelings or emotions of people involved?
Was it resolved? Yes or No or Not Sure
Why or Why not was it resolved?

7. Conflict
Who was involved?
What Happened?
Feelings or emotions of people involved?
Was it resolved? Yes or No or Not Sure
Why or Why not was it resolved?

9. 4. How did Katherine and her other two colleagues, Dorothy
and Mary, respond to their treatment by their employers at
Nasa?

11. 5. How did Al Harrison’s perspective change with his
encounter with Katherine Johnson? Give at least two examples
and reflect on what you observed about his behaviour
throughout the film.

12. 6. What did you observe about Dorothy’s conflict management
skills when it came to her wanting to be a part of the new
computer system? How did she handle it? Do you agree or
disagree with her taking iniative to learn on her own without the
permission of her boss? Why or why not?

13. 7. What three observations can you make about managing
conflict from this film? Be specific with examples and what
you’ve learned.

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