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Lesson Plan: American Values in the
Print Media
I Learning Objective(s)
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(1) To help students understand how dominant American values are
reflected in, and reinforced by the mainstream media
(2) To demonstrate the role
of print media in shaping and diffusing social norms in mainstream American
culture
(3) To help students problematize hegemonic discourses as transmitted through
material culture
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II Rationale for Objectives
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By critically engaging with
elements of popular and mainstream culture, students will come to appreciate better
the role of the mass media in the socialization process and to understand the
regulative function of the values supporting contemporary capitalist
societies.
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III Materials
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Magazines (Teacher asks
students to bring copies of magazines which feature their favorite celebrity
to class).
Pencil/Pen
Paper/Notebook
List of Core American values for each student |
IV Procedures
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(1)
Introduction
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Provide students with a
list of core American values. Use
Jennifer Lopez (“J.Lo”) to illustrate the values
associated with achievement and success; activity and work etc.
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(2)
Activity
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Students are asked to pick
up a picture of their favorite celebrity.
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(3)
Discussion
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·
Why is J.Lo is so successful? What
values does she uphold? (Achievement and success; hard-working;
self-fulfilling; narcissistic; dating a handsome successful male
(heterosexual); physically attractive, etc.).
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Does your
favorite celebrity uphold similar values?
Why or why not?
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What does this
image of a celebrity tell us about how we should live our lives, how we
should look and behave?
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Do you think
you should strive to be like J.Lo (both in terms of
looks and lifestyle)? Why or why not?
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Do you think
you should strive to be like your favorite celebrity?
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(4)
Summary
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Enlighten students as to
the negative impacts of “positive” values
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