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UNIT
2 - PROPAGANDA
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Defining
the Problem: |
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Human
beings are by nature always trying to make sense of the world
around them. They turn to parents, friends, religious leaders,
peers, experts, teachers, and increasingly the media for this
information. Such information is never neutral, and is full
of value judgments. Even the most neutral seeming information
has gone through a process of selection (what is important
or less important to convey).
In the battle to convince people about what is important,
irrelevant, irresponsible, desirable, acceptable, unacceptable,
the "Truth", a threat to society, etc. it is important that
young people realize that many so-called "facts" are actually
opinions and not neutral, but value-laden. Some "facts" and
"Truths" have a more devious character and are intended to
purposely slant information to promote a certain (political)
cause. These instances represent clear-cut cases of propaganda.
However, there is a thin line |
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between
education, information and propaganda. Where that line needs to be drawn
is something that young people need to think about given the abundance
of information and propaganda in society.
The basic tenet of the following module is that if young people become
aware of how propaganda mechanisms function they will be more capable
of recognizing propaganda and protecting themselves against it.
This module is based on the principles of "learning by doing" and is
inspired by the learning methodology contained in Complex Instruction
(developed at Stanford University). Teachers should be aware that negative
emotions can be created at the beginning of this module. They should
therefore be fairly well acquainted with the students in their classroom
and feel comfortable talking about controversial issues. Ideally this
module follows a discussion in class about persuasion or the power of
advertising.
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Length
of module: |
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This
module will take up to 6 or 7 classroom periods, depending on the amount
of time a teacher wants to allow for groupwork. Given its length and
focus, this is also a module that can be especially useful for an after
school activity (for instance, in a human rights club).
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Module
objectives: |
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to
understand how propaganda works to gain experience with groupwork. to
show students how conflicts can be created and solved.
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Materials
needed: |
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·
Preferably at least one computer (for the classroom).
· General materials for creating posters, flags and logos. |
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