Cinema’s Scarlet Letters: the MPAA Rating System and Film Education in the Christian University

Christian film educators face challenges in instruction when a film’s Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating falls outside their institution’s acceptable range. The origin of the system and the meaning of each rating are explained. Policies of comparable evangelical institutions regarding student film viewing are detailed. The resultant difficulties in film education are examined. Arguments for and against inclusion of R-rated films in the curriculum are considered. Recommendations are made for future courses.