Lesson Ideas for the Media-Savvy Social Justice Class

BCTF Social Justice Conference, April 15–16, 2011 with Judith Comfort, teacher-librarian

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Create a social media campaign

Model:1 in10: A case study in social media campaigning

 

View more documents from Amnesty International UK.

 

 

Look at 20th century Canada through an ethnic lens

Look at 20th century Canada through an ethnic lens

Multgif Engage students by having them research their own families ( or cultural heritage) within the ethnic presses.

The Multicultural Canada digitization project grew from..a..conviction that the cultural groups that make up our country have little-known stories that need to be researched and told. Through newspapers, interviews, photographs, print and material culture people tell us who they are. The project is led by Lynn Copeland, Simon Fraser University.

  • Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples

 

Media Studies Deconstruction help:

  • Reading Around, In, and Behind the Documents
    • Set the context
    • Introduce key vocabulary
    • Introduce the analytic framework
    • Anticipate the contents of the document
    • Introduce the sample document
    • Introduce criteria for students to consider
    • Introduce reading “around” the document
    • Introduce reading “in” the document
    • Introduce the idea of subtext
    • Engage students in reading “behind” the text
    • Share conclusions
    • Extension
    • Evaluation
  • Who am I?

.........................................................................................................................................

 

The Metis in 19th C. newspapers: have our attitudes changed a lot?

19th C. MANITOBA NEWSPAPERS: what did the reporters & editors of the time say about: the development of the CPR, Metis land claims, Louis Riel?

 

Red River Pioneer

December 1, 1869 - December 1, 1869

The Red River Pioneer appeared only once, on Dec 1, 1869, before it was sold and merged with the Nor’Wester to become the New Nation.

Standard

November 28, 1874 - August 30, 1879

The Standard appeared weekly from November 28, 1874 until August 30, 1879. Among the issues discussed at great length in its pages were the proposed route of the CPR and Métis land grants. Its previous title was the Manitoban and Northwest Herald.

Nor'Wester (1859)

December 28, 1859 - November 23, 1869

The Nor'Wester, Manitoba’s first newspaper, was published from December 28, 1859 until September 28, 1869. The prospectus, published August 22, 1859, promised the newspaper would promote local interests and report all events impartially. Its publication frequency varied; it was published weekly or biweekly. It was suppressed by Louis Riel’s supporters and was merged with the Red River Pioneer to become The New Nation.

Brandon Sun Weekly

January 19, 1882 - July 1, 1897

The Brandon Sun Weekly began publication on January 19, 1882, when the city of Brandon was hardly more than a collection of tents. Nevertheless, the newspaper did well and continued until July 1, 1897. Soon after a new daily Sun was established and is still published today.

Manitoba Free Press

November 30, 1872 - May 18, 1878

On November 9, 1872 a free prospectus was circulated throughout the province "with the object of giving the people a specimen of our journal." Its motto was "Freedom in trade - Liberty in religion - Equality in civil rights." The publishers William F. Luxton and John A. Kenny explained that it was printed on "the first power printing press ever brought northwest of St. Paul, Minn." The weekly newspaper started publishing every Saturday on November 30, 1872 continuing until May 18, 1878 under the title Manitoba Free Press. It then continued under the title Manitoba Weekly Free Press.

Manitoba Gazette

October 12, 1878 - March 15, 1879

The Manitoba Gazette was a weekly that appeared from October 12, 1878 until March 15, 1879. It claimed to be Liberal-Conservative and an opposed to the current provincial government. It ceased publication after being sued for libel.

Manitoba News-Letter

September 13, 1870 - July 1, 1871

The Manitoba News-Letter belonged to John Christian Schultz and was published twice a week from September 30, 1870 to July 1, 1971. It was anti-Catholic and pro-Canadian and a violent opponent of supporters of the provisional government. After it was sold to the Manitoba Printing Company, the paper reappeared as The Manitoba Liberal.

Aboriginal women as subservient to a dominant male figure?

 

Arch

lesson 2

PRIDE & DIGNITY -an exhibition of over 60 photographic reproductions (c.1846 - c.1960) taken from the original exhibition Aboriginal Portraits from the National Archives of Canada.


Stereotypes and Culture Clash

 

 

Source

Figure 10 - A studio portrait of a Dakota (Sioux) woman, Manitoba, 1909

"one of the areas of concern that emerged was the representation of Aboriginal women. In general, photographers have shown Aboriginal women as subservient to a dominant male figure. The caption usually identifies the man and leaves the woman nameless.

What is social justice? Can the kids trust Wikipedia?

The IRP defines Social Justice as:

The full participation and inclusion of all people in society, together with the promotion and protection of their legal, civil, and human rights. The aim of social justice—to achieve a just and equitable society where all share in the prosperity of that society—is pursued by individuals and groups through collaborative social action.

But Social Justice is defined differently at ends of the free-for-all Wiki political spectrum & in peer-reviewed source, too.

Look up the definitions for the following terms, place them in a 3-column graphic organizer, and then have a class discussion. What concepts are similar; what concepts are different.

Term in regular dictionary

As defined in Wikipedia

As defined in Conservapedia

As defined in The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Social Justice

 

 

 

Anthropocentrism

 

 

 

Equity and equality

 

 

 

Ethics

 

 

 

Diversity

 

 

 

Dignity and worth

 

 

 

Hegemony

 

 

 

Human rights

 

 

 

Oppression

 

 

 

Peace

 

 

 

 

 

Cons

 

The comlexity of the issue is found only in the peer-reviewed Encyclopedia of Philosophy

...... Wik

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Rush Limbaugh; point out his logical fallacies in a letter to the editor

Rush Limbaugh Mocks Japan Quake Refugees

"Limbaugh said. "They've given us the Prius. Even now, refugees are recycling their garbage." Here, he began to laugh, continuing, "and yet, Gaia levels them! Just wipes them out!"

Check out Media Matters for more ideas for letter responses

Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.

TOOLS FOR TEACHING LOGICAL FALLACIES IN REASONING

 

 

  1. Ad Hominem
  2. Ad Hominem Tu Quoque
  3. Appeal to Authority
  4. Appeal to Belief
  5. Appeal to Common Practice
  6. Appeal to Consequences of a Belief
  7. Appeal to Emotion
  8. Appeal to Fear
  9. Appeal to Flattery
  10. Appeal to Novelty
  11. Appeal to Pity
  12. Appeal to Popularity
  13. Appeal to Ridicule
  14. Appeal to Spite
  15. Appeal to Tradition
  16. Bandwagon
  17. Begging the Question
  18. Biased Sample
  19. Burden of Proof
  20. Circumstantial Ad Hominem
  21. Composition
  22. Confusing Cause and Effect
  23. Division
  24. False Dilemma
  25. Gambler's Fallacy
  26. Genetic Fallacy
  27. Guilt By Association
  28. Hasty Generalization
  29. Ignoring A Common Cause
  30. Middle Ground
  31. Misleading Vividness
  32. Personal Attack
  33. Poisoning the Well
  34. Post Hoc
  35. Questionable Cause
  36. Red Herring
  37. Relativist Fallacy
  38. Slippery Slope
  39. Special Pleading
  40. Spotlight
  41. Straw Man
  42. Two Wrongs Make A Right

Another good source

Deconstructing media portrayals of people and issues

 

Media portrayal of aboriginal people

Media portrayal of genocide

Media portrayal of global development

Media portrayal of homosexuals & transgendered people

Media portrayal of human rights issues

Media portrayal of people of various races

Media portrayal of people with disabilities

Media portrayal of the poor

Media portrayal of women and girls

 

Assignment: write a public apology on an issue the students care about

A good way of ensuring that students see both (or many) sides of an issue.

CASE STUDIES TO USE AS MODELS

 

  • Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada
  • Apology to Japanese Canadians, Sept 22, 1988
  • Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
  • Truth and Reconciliation South Africa
  • Bill C-411: Louis Riel Act: Act is to reverse the conviction of Louis Riel for high treason and to formally recognize and commemorate his role in the advancement of Canadian Confederation and the rights and interests of the Metis people

 

 

 

 

Idea: ask your students to create advertisments that promote social justice. Model is: 'Ads Worth Spreading'

Thanks so much TED for Ads Worth Spreading ,  a competition they created to seek," to reverse the trend of online ads being aggressively forced on users. We want to nurture ads so good you choose to watch.  In 2-3 minutes, there's enough time to really tell a story, share an idea, make an authentic human connection, become unforgettable. Instead of ambush, they offer pleasurable, intelligent engagement.


Target Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular

 

05:31

This astonishing and beatifully executed live fashion show simply mesmerized us -- and the thousands who gathered to watch on the streets below. An ingenious way to promote a product, while engaging viewers in a tangible experience.

  • Hornbach and HEIMAT:The Infinite House Play

    Hornbach and HEIMAT

    The Infinite House

    03:00

    We love the magical, atmospheric style with which this ad presents a single idea that has the potential to make the world a better place.

  • Batelco:Infinity Play

    Batelco

    Infinity

    03:37

    We loved this ad's smart use of social media to engage tens of thousands in a journey through the random interconnectivity of modern life. The film was originally delivered through a Facebook app that incorporated users' webcams, and displayed their pictures on TV screens throughout the Persian Gulf.

  • Dulux:Dulux Walls Play

    Dulux

    Dulux Walls

    02:00

    One of our judges wrote, "This is the perfect project for a paint brand to invest in." More importantly, it moved us with its uplifting message that life is better in color -- and there is nothing that a fresh coat of paint can't make better.

  • Chrysler:Born of Fire Play

    Chrysler

    Born of Fire

    02:01

    In this spot, a classic American car-maker repositions the luxury automobile -- and, at the same time, re-brands a troubled city. Our judging panel loved the powerful, authentic tone of this love letter to the city of Detroit.

  • Intel:The Chase Play

    Intel

    The Chase

    01:55

    This ad makes a tech product demo as exciting as an action film -- rolling all the different things one microprocessor can do into a single cinematic experience.

  • Savory Institute:Changing Our Future Play
    • 6
    • 6

    Savory Institute

    Changing Our Future

    03:43

    Our judges were captivated by this provocative, conversation-style ad, which reveals the little-known key to reversing a devastating environmental problem.

  • Topsy Foundation:Selinah Play

    Topsy Foundation

    Selinah

    01:35

    We're all familiar with the specter of AIDS: in months, the victim can waste away before our very eyes. Yet few are aware of the effectiveness of anti-retroviral medicine. This ad makes that potential vividly, visually clear -- demonstrating a real hope to those who suffer from AIDS.

  • Nike Foundation:Girl Effect: The Clock is Ticking Play

    Nike Foundation

    Girl Effect: The Clock is Ticking

    03:04

    This ad uses animation brilliantly to make clear the benefits of investing in a single worthy cause. It sheds light -- and hope -- on one of the most overlooked, yet promising, assets on this planet: 12-year-old girls.

  • Nokia:The World’s Smallest Stop-motion Character Animation Play

    Nokia

    The World’s Smallest Stop-motion Character Animation

    01:37

    We love how this ad brings showcase and entertainment together, demonstrating a new smartphone's imaging capabilities through a magical, microscopic animation. (Fun fact: this ad holds a Guinness World Record as the smallest stop-motion animated film.)

  • Target:Target Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular Play

    Target

    Target Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular

    05:31

    This astonishing and beatifully executed live fashion show simply mesmerized us -- and the thousands who gathered to watch on the streets below. An ingenious way to promote a product, while engaging viewers in a tangible experience.

  • Hornbach and HEIMAT:The Infinite House Play

    Hornbach and HEIMAT

    The Infinite House

    03:00

    We love the magical, atmospheric style with which this ad presents a single idea that has the potential to make the world a better place.



  • Ask your students to create a "guerilla marketing" event for a social justice issue they care about. The more invisible the better.

     

    Bold obvious advertising is NOT invisible. The goal is to increase awareness of a brand.

    But less obvious, even  invisble persuasion methods such as PR (public relations).

    Social media which connects people in a network sells products and ideas even more subtely. Sometimes the con artists don't even know they are doing the conning.

    "Guerilla Marketing"

    Consumers have grown immune to big budget advertising, but marketers that expend a bit of time and effort — rather than piles of money — can generate effective results with inexpensive, small-scale stunts.

    Here is  a "gallery of guerrilla and street marketing examples". And a non profit example.

     

    Next »

    LESSONS

    • * Analyze articles on both sides of the media
    • * Assessing bias in a media portrayal of social justice issues
    • * Comment: "Irony for equality"( males & females)
    • * Guerilla marketing assignment
    • * Responding musically to a social justice issue
    • * Aboriginal women, subservient in portraits
    • * Art class ideas on diversity
    • * Create a social media campaign
    • * Create powerful advertisments that promote social justice
    • * Deconstructing media portrayals of people and issues
    • * Defining social justice in conservative, wikipedia & peer-reviwed sources
    • * Ethnic press voices
    • * Fairness & accuracy in reporting
    • * Fear-based society
    • * Media portrayal of global development
    • * Media portrayals debriefed
    • * Metis portrayed in 19th C. newspapers
    • * Open Mic
    • * Rush Limbaugh & logical fallacies
    • * Stop violence against women campaign
    • * Student human rights citizen journalist /bloggers
    • * Twitter - good for?
    • * Using mathematics to teach social justice
    • * What does the phrase "social justice & the media" mean to you?
    • * Why did your family come to Canada?
    • * Writing a public apology
    • * Assessing the value of participatory media
    • * Using media to promote hatred
    • * Who would you vote for?

    DECONSTRUCTION TOOLS

    • * What is deconstruction?
    • Arguments & informal logic
    • Bias
    • Branding
    • Cause & effect
    • Citizenship journalism
    • Compare & contrast
    • Critical thinking
    • Definition
    • Documentaries
    • Editorial
    • Feature film
    • Infotainment
    • Journalism
    • Newspaper articles
    • Photojournalism
    • Political cartoons
    • Posters
    • Press releases
    • Radio
    • Re-construct/re-write history
    • Social media
    • Songs
    • Textbook analysis

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