LESSON V
ISLAM IN THE NEWS
60 MINUTES
OBJECTIVES:
LOCATION: Computer lab
MATERIALS:
PROCEDURE:
2 minutes:
Ask students to search the following phrase in Google: 'Fox News Islam'
3 minutes:
Class discussion
5 minutes:
Ask half of the students to search the following two phrases in Google:
Ask the other half to go to Google Images:
5 minutes:
Class discussion
3 minutes:
Watch news report: Dueling Protests Over Ground Zero Mosque. Since video embedding is disabled by request, please click here for the link.
15 minutes:
Discuss the video.
4 minutes:
Watch Muslim Americans Also Died On 9/11.
ISLAM IN THE NEWS
60 MINUTES
OBJECTIVES:
- To notice the trend in the choice of words used by media outlets when talking about Muslims. Examples include 'terrorist' and 'oppressed woman'
- To realize that the choice of words used is a reflection of inherent Islamophobia, or simply a high degree of ignorance
- To be able to critically question the bias in media coverage when it comes to Islam and Muslims
- To be able to critically question the choice of Muslim stories being covered, and why it is almost always negative stories only
- To recognize the capacity of the media to ignite terror, fear, Islamophobia and mass hysteria in the hearts of its viewers
- To realize the damaging effects media bias has on Muslims and non-Muslims alike
- To critically analyze the language used by mainstream media when talking about Muslims, as well as the tone of voice and facial expressions of the reporters/news anchors.
LOCATION: Computer lab
MATERIALS:
- computers with internet access
- Personal Journals, pens or pencils
- Overhead projector connected to a Macintosh computer with speakers
PROCEDURE:
2 minutes:
Ask students to search the following phrase in Google: 'Fox News Islam'
- Ask students to notice what hits they get. They should look through at least the first three pages of their search results, then skip to say page 12.
- Students write down the most significant titles/ headlines that appear in their search
3 minutes:
Class discussion
- What is the main sentiment of the wording in the hits you got? Would you say it is mainly positive or negative?
- Explain your answer
5 minutes:
Ask half of the students to search the following two phrases in Google:
- 'Muslim Woman'. Write down the titles of a few hits you get.
- 'Muslim Woman Fox News'. Write down the titles of the first few hits you get.
Ask the other half to go to Google Images:
- Type the word 'Terrorism' in the search box and hit 'Search'
- Notice the images you get in the first 7 or 8 pages.
5 minutes:
Class discussion
- Do you notice anything striking or significant in the wording you got from the two searches?
- Why is it that Fox News hits show mainly negative stories?
- Is there a common element shared between the images that resulted from your search?
- Approximately what percentage of the 'Terrorism' images involves Islam or Muslims?
- Do you think this is normal? Is it the result of some Muslims' actions or is there media bias involved?
3 minutes:
Watch news report: Dueling Protests Over Ground Zero Mosque. Since video embedding is disabled by request, please click here for the link.
15 minutes:
Discuss the video.
- Why are people protesting the building of an Islamic Cultural Centre, or Mosque?
- Who called this centre the Ground Zero Mosque? The Muslims, the non-Muslim population, or the media?
- Is the Ground Zero Mosque going to be built ON Ground Zero? Or is it a couple of blocks beside it?
- Did this misnomer play a role in igniting such sentiments?
- Do you agree with the protesters? Or are you against them? In either case, explain your point of view.
- Were there any Muslims who died in 9/11?
- Were there any Muslims who saved lives in 9/11?
4 minutes:
Watch Muslim Americans Also Died On 9/11.
10 minutes:
Discussion of the video
2 minutes:
Watch the Beirut Synagogue report.
Discussion of the video
- What are your thoughts about this video? Do you think there is a strong argument?
- Can you punish an entire community based on the actions of a fanatic minority?
- Should building churches next to schools be halted given the sexual molestation incidents by some priests?
2 minutes:
Watch the Beirut Synagogue report.
- As students watch the clip, distribute copies of the Ground Zero Synagogue article: http://www.zeropartypolitics.com/2010/08/ground-zero-synagoguelebanon-becoming.html.
- Alternatively, you can simply give the students the link for them to read it online, as this will be assigned for homework.
1 minute:
Questions to think about on your way home:
10 minutes:
Comic Life demo for assignment #5
Questions to think about on your way home:
- Were there any protests in Beirut, the Arab, or the Muslim world becuase of this Synagogue?
- Do you think you can find at least one Lebanese, Arab, or Muslim protester against the rebuilding of the Synagogue in Beirut? Check on YouTube.
10 minutes:
Comic Life demo for assignment #5
- Use the overhead projector
Assignment #5: 'Islam in the News' Comic Strip Grading Rubric
Assignment Instructions and Expectations:
- Create two comic strips, one page long each, using Comic Life
- Choose one story/ event to tell/cover. In the first comic strip, this story/event involves a Muslim man, woman, boy, girl, family, or community as being 'aggressors'. In the second comic strip, this same story/event involves non-Muslims as the aggressors (and non-Arab, preferably, in order to avoid a possible confusion).
- The point of your story/ event is to show the difference of coverage it receives based on the religion of those who are involved in it.
- Ideally, your story would be something the media would find juicy enough to cover
- Feel free to exploit Comic Life to your advantage. You can use the many options it offers to have a TV anchor, news headlines, text in balloons and captions
- An element of humour, maybe even dark, is expected. You are using humour to convey an important social justice message, so don't hold back as long as your intention is to deliver a strong message.
- You can use photos from the Internet, make your own drawings by hand or on the computer, photos of yourself or your friends, or a mix of all these. Let your creativity guide you!
- Print your assignment on glossy paper and hand it in class two weeks from today.
- All comic strips will be laminated, combined into one binder, and put on display at the library.
Mark Breakdown: [This assignment is worth 15% of your grade]
Two comic strips, one page each
Story or event conveys a strong social justice message
Visually appealing product
Creativity in execution
Element of humour present
Language used reflects media bias
Overall impact
Story or event conveys a strong social justice message
Visually appealing product
Creativity in execution
Element of humour present
Language used reflects media bias
Overall impact
2%
3%
2%
2%
2%
3%
1%
3%
2%
2%
2%
3%
1%
Have fun, Be Create Live, and see you next class!
HOMEWORK:
Start working on the Comic Life assignment. It is due in two weeks.
- Read the sections on Violence and Jihad in the Inspired by Muhammad website: http://www.inspiredbymuhammad.com/islam.php. These would be the last paragraph on page one and the first paragraph on page two. Take notes and write down your thoughts in your Personal Journal.
- Read the article on the Ground Zero Synagogue found at the following link: http://www.zeropartypolitics.com/2010/08/ground-zero-synagoguelebanon-becoming.html. Take good notes in your Personal Journal, and write your personal thoughts.
- Search online (Google and YouTube) for evidence of protests against the Beirut Synagogue. If you find any, share the link with us next class!