English Access Microscholarship Program

America through Cinema

A Cultural Activity for 11th GradersTeacher's Guide

For internal use only

February 2013

1

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ObjectivesThe objectives of the activity include:

Fostering cross-cultural awareness and promoting tolerance

Acquainting students with various aspects of American history geography, and culture, as well as current issues such as health and the environment

TopicsLike most of young people, Access students watch American movies, however we are aware that they don't typically connect with the world the movies describe. They know little about American history or social changes in the USA, so as part of the Access Program we wanted to provide them with an opportunity to learn about these topics.

The first step was to decide which topics to focus on, with an eye to identifying topics that would interest them and, at the same time, make them think about the topics’ relevance to their lives.

We identified five topics that the film industry has been addressed in efforts to attract audiences but also to educate people:

The Conquest of the West – the USA has not always been a rich and crowded country. It was settled by immigrants from all over the world who worked hard to make their adopted country the one they had imagined.

The American Dream – the pros and cons: anybody can succeed and get head, but at the same time, people who want to succeed are often ready to do anything to succeed without taking into consideration the price they might pay.

Black Americans – the fight for freedom and equality of the Black Americans. We want to raise students’ awareness of prejudice and discrimination, and foster a greater sense of tolerance for people who are different. Most of the students belong to minorities, it is important to show them that minorities can get earn place in society and play a significant role, and rise to positions of leadership.

Women as Leaders – the discrimination women faced before they got rights and equality. We hope to inspire our students, most of whom are girls, making them aware of the opportunities and challenges that face women.

Ecology – this is one of the most relevant topics of this era. We want students to think about the dangers of pollution – no matter what its source – and take responsibility for their ecological footprint, becoming more involved in efforts to improve environmental conditions and preserve natural resources.

MoviesWe asked a Cinema teacher to pick up excerpts of movies that belonged to the American Heritage, movies that made a difference when they were shown because they influenced people and inspired them to initiate change. This was not an easy task to accomplish because there are so many movies dealing with the topics chosen.

2

Another priority was to select movies that our students could watch – meaning there was little violence, no sex or distortion of accepted values.

MethodologyWe want our students to experience working in pairs and in groups with students from other schools, so we needed to create a framework for this experience to take place. We also wanted the teachers to be involved and play the role of facilitators.

We decided to divide the activity in two parts:

The students would watch the excerpts of the movies, and then answer questions in pairs The teacher would lead a discussion focusing on the relevance of the topic

To enable the students to participate in two different workshops, the day will be split into two parts, with a short break for lunch. At the end of the day, all of the students will gather together to present their work products for general discussion.

Examples of students’ work products from the 2012-2013 school year can be found on the Amal Access site.

LogisticsIn order to make the activity a success, a suitable venue will be decided on. Notices will be sent out accordingly.

Screenings are held simultaneously in five different halls, each focusing on a different topic. The closing discussion is held in a large hall at the same venue.

THE MOVIESTOPIC: THE CONQUEST OF THE WEST

How the West Was Won (1962) directed by John ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall and Richard Thorpe

How the West Was Won is a 1962 American epic-Western film.[5] Set between 1839 and 1889, it follows four generations of a family (starting as the Prescotts) as they move ever westward, from western New York state to the Pacific Ocean. The movie consists of five segments, three directed by Henry Hathaway ("The Rivers", "The Plains" and "The Outlaws"), and one each by John Ford ("The Civil War") and George Marshall ("The Railroad"), with transitional sequences by Richard Thorpe.

The Alamo (1960) directed by John Wayne

In 1836 General Santa Anna and the Mexican army is sweeping across Texas. To be able to stop him, General Sam Houston needs time to get his main force into shape. To buy that time he orders Colonel William Travis to defend a small mission on the Mexicans' route at all costs. Travis' small troop is swelled by

3

groups accompanying Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett, but as the situation becomes ever more desperate Travis makes it clear there will be no shame if they leave while they can.

Wild and Woolfy (1945) directed by Tex Avery

In this western-themed cartoon, the Wolf once again appears as a criminal, but this time a cowboy. Then, a girl named Lou (as a cowgirl) sings 'Texas Plains' by Rex Allen (she's from many other pairings with the wolf) before the wolf captures her (as he does normally). The little dog Droopy chases him throughout the desert, but the wolf is far ahead. Droopy appears a few times, many of the times getting bobbed in the head by the waiter. At the end, Droopy hits the wolf in the head. After the girl kisses him in gratitude, he kidnaps her himself.

TOPIC: THE AMERICAN DREAM

West Side Story (1961) directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise

The story is set in the West 50s and West 60s of the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid-1950s, an ethnic, blue-collar neighborhood. (In the early 1960s much of the neighborhood would be cleared in an urban renewal project for Lincoln Center, changing the neighborhood's character.)The musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are taunted by the Jets, a Polish-American working-class group.

The young protagonist, Tony, one of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre.

Giant (1956) directed by George Stevens

Jordan "Bick" Benedict ,the head of the rich Benedict ranching family of Texas, goes to Maryland to buy a stud horse, War Winds. There he meets and courts the socialite Leslie Lynnton, who breaks off her engagement to a diplomat and becomes Bick's wife.

They return to Texas to start their life together on the family ranch, Reata, where Bick's sister Luz runs the household. Luz resents Leslie's arrival and tries to intimidate her. Jett Rink works for Luz and hopes to find his fortune by leaving Texas; he also has a secret love for Leslie. Luz dies after War Winds bucks her off, and as part of her will, Jett is given a plot of land within the Benedict ranch. Bick tries to buy back the land, but Jett refuses. Jett discovers

4

traces of oil in a footprint left by Leslie and he drills in the spot. He hits his first gusher and is covered in the spouting oil. He drives to the Benedict front yard to assert himself and proclaim to the family and guests that he will be richer than the Benedicts.

The Kid (1921) directed by Charlie Chaplin

An unwed woman leaves a charity hospital carrying her newborn son. An artist, the apparent father, is shown with the woman's photograph. When it falls into the fireplace, he first picks it up, then throws it back in to burn up.The woman decides to leave her child in the back seat of an expensive automobile with a handwritten note imploring the finder to care for and love the baby. However, the car is stolen. When the two thieves discover the child, they leave him on the street. The Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) finds the baby. Unwilling at first to take on the responsibility, he eventually softens and names the boy John.Five years pass, and the child becomes the Tramp's partner in minor crime, throwing stones to break windows that the Tramp can then repair. Meanwhile, the woman becomes a wealthy star.

Modern Times (1936) directed by Charlie Chaplin

Modern Times is a 1936 comedy film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin in which his iconic Little Tramp character struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The film is a comment on the desperate employment and fiscal conditions many people faced during the Great Depression, conditions created, in Chaplin's view, by the efficiencies of modern industrialization.

Hair (1979) directed by Milos Forman

Hair tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the "Age of Aquarius" living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. Claude, his good friend Berger, their roommate Sheila and their friends struggle to balance their young lives, loves and the sexual revolution with their rebellion against the war and their conservative parents and society. Ultimately, Claude must decide whether to resist the draft as his friends have done, or to succumb to the pressures of his parents (and conservative America) to serve in Vietnam, compromising his pacifistic principles and risking his life.

Rebel without a cause (1955) directed by Nicholas Ray

The story of a rebellious teenager who arrives at a new high school, meets a girl, disobeys his parents, and defies the local school bullies was a

5

groundbreaking attempt to portray the moral decay of American youth, critique parental style, and explore the differences and conflicts between generations

TOPIC: BLACK AMERICANS

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) directed by Stanley Kramer.

The film tells the story of a young white woman who has had a whirlwind romance with a young, idealistic black physician she met while in Hawaii. The plot centers on the woman’s return to her liberal upper-class American home in San Francisco, bringing her new fiancé to dinner to meet her parents (a newspaper publisher ) and his wife, a small art gallery owner .

To Sir with Love (1967) directed by John Clavell

Mark Thackeray is beginning his teaching position at the North Quay Secondary School . He comes from British Guiana via California, and holds a degree in Communication Engineering. He has applied unsuccessfully for engineering positions, and is taking this job to make ends meet while continuing to look for a job in his field. The students come from rough homes, and excel at riding roughshod over teachers, especially when they are colored and strict as Mark.

Sergeant Rutledge (1960) directed by John Ford

The story is told through a series of flashbacks, expanding the testimony of witnesses as they describe the events following the murder of Rutledge's Commanding Officer, Major Dabney, and the rape and murder of Dabney's daughter, for which Rutledge is the accused.Everybody thinks that the first sergeant raped and murdered the girl and then killed his commanding officer. Worse still, Rutledge deserts after the killings. Ultimately, he is tracked down and arrested. At one point, Rutledge escapes from captivity during an Indian raid, but later, he voluntarily returns to warn his fellow cavalrymen that they are about to face an ambush, thus saving the troop. He is then brought back in to face the charges and the prejudices of an all-white military court.

Driving Miss DAISY (1989) directed by Bruce Beresford

A 72-year-old wealthy Jewish widow, lives in Atlanta, Georgia, alone except for an African American housemaid .In 1948, after a driving mishap where her automobile is wrecked, Miss Daisy’s son tells her she will have to get a chauffeur because no insurance company will cover her. She refuses, but her son is determined to find her a driver. He finds an old black man who had chauffeured for a local judge until he died. It is revealed that the woman's reluctance to be driven around is because she is embarrassed that people might think she is either too elderly to drive, or so well off that she can pay for a driver. Out of necessity, she gradually starts to accept the chauffeur and the fact that she needs him to drive her around. She eventually comes to respect him.

6

Ray (2004 ) directed by Taylor Hackford

Raised on a plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles Robinson went blind at the age of seven, shortly after witnessing his younger brother drown. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. The soulful singer gained a reputation and exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered incorporating gospel, country, jazz, and orchestral influences into his inimitable style.

Glory (1989) directed by Edward Zwick

The story is based on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first formal unit of the US Army to be made up entirely of African American men, as told from the point of view of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, its commanding officer during the American Civil War. Captain Robert Gould Shaw leads a company of Union soldiers from a Massachusetts Infantry Regiment in an attack on Confederate troops at the Battle of Antietam, on September 17, 1862. His regiment suffers heavy losses, Shaw is wounded, and later loses consciousness. He is awakened by a black gravedigger named John Rawlins and sent to a field hospital. While receiving medical attention, Shaw is told that President Lincoln is on the verge of passing the Emancipation Proclamation; freeing slaves in rebel held territory. While on leave in Boston, Shaw is promoted to Colonel, and given command of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first all-black regiment.

TOPIC: WOMEN LEADERSHIP

Norme Rae(1979) directed by Martin Ritt

Norma Rae Webster is a minimum-wage worker in a cotton mill. After hearing a speech by New York union organizer, Norma Rae decides to join the effort to unionize her shop. This causes conflict at home when Norma Rae's husband Sonny says she's not spending enough time in the home. Despite the pressure brought to bear by management, when confronted, Norma Rae takes a piece of cardboard, writes the word "UNION", stands on her worktable, and slowly turns to show the sign around the room. One by one, other workers stop their mill machines, and eventually, the entire room becomes silent, after all machines have been switched off. Norma Rae then successfully orchestrates an election to unionize the factory, resulting in victory for the union.

The King and I (1956) directed by Walter Lang

The story deals with the experiences of the British schoolteacher, who is hired as part of the King's drive to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by conflict through much of the play, as well as by a love that neither is able to express

7

7 Brides for 7 Brothers (1954) directed by Stanley Donen

A backwoodsman named Adam Pontipee and his new bride Milly agreed to marry despite only knowing each other for only a few hours. On returning to his cabin in the mountains, Milly is surprised to learn that Adam is one of seven brothers living under the same roof.The brothers have been named alphabetically from the Old Testament and in chronological order are: Adam, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank (short for Frankincense, the Old Testament having no names beginning with F), and Gideon. All of the brothers have red hair and are well over six feet tall, except Gideon, who is younger and shorter than his brothers.Milly teaches Adam's rowdy, ill-behaved younger brothers manners and social mores. She also shows them how to dance. At first, the brothers have a hard time changing from their "mountain man" ways, but eventually each comes to see that the only way he will get a girl of his own is to do things Milly's way

Erin Brokovich (2000) directed by Steven Soderbergh

The movie is based on the true story of Erin Brockovich-Ellis (born June 22, 1960) is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who, despite the lack of a formal law school education, or any legal education, was instrumental in constructing a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993.

The China Syndrome (1979) directed by James Bridges

While visiting the Ventana nuclear power plant outside Los Angeles, television news reporter ,her maverick cameraman and their soundman witness the plant going through an emergency shutdown . Shift Supervisor notices an unusual vibration while grabbing his cup of coffee which he had set down; then he finds that a gauge is misreading and that the coolant is dangerously low (he thought it was overflowing). The crew manages to bring the reactor under control.

Erin Brokovich (2000) directed by Steven Soderbergh

The movie is based on the true story of Erin Brockovich-Ellis (born June 22, 1960) is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who, despite the lack of a formal law school education, or any legal education, was instrumental in constructing a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993.

The China Syndrome (1979) directed by James Bridges

While visiting the Ventana nuclear power plant outside Los Angeles, television news reporter ,her maverick cameraman and their soundman witness the plant going through an emergency shutdown . Shift Supervisor notices an unusual vibration while grabbing his cup of coffee which he had set down; then he finds

8

that a gauge is misreading and that the coolant is dangerously low (he thought it was overflowing). The crew manages to bring the reactor under control.

TOPIC: ECOLOGY

Erin Brokovich (2000) directed by Steven Soderbergh

The movie is based on the true story of Erin Brockovich-Ellis (born June 22, 1960) is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who, despite the lack of a formal law school education, or any legal education, was instrumental in constructing a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993.

Modern Times (1936) directed by Charlie Chaplin

Modern Times is a 1936 comedy film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin in which his iconic Little Tramp character struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The film is a comment on the desperate employment and fiscal conditions many people faced during the Great Depression, conditions created, in Chaplin's view, by the efficiencies of modern industrialization.

The China Syndrome (1979) directed by James Bridges

While visiting the Ventana nuclear power plant outside Los Angeles, television news reporter ,her maverick cameraman and their soundman witness the plant going through an emergency shutdown . Shift Supervisor notices an unusual vibration while grabbing his cup of coffee which he had set down; then he finds that a gauge is misreading and that the coolant is dangerously low (he thought it was overflowing). The crew manages to bring the reactor under control.

Soylent Green ( 1973 )directed by Richard Fleisher

In 2022, with 40 million people in New York City alone, housing is dilapidated and overcrowded; homeless people fill the streets and food is scarce; and most of the population survives on rations produced by the Soylent Corporation, whereof the newest product is Soylent Green, a green wafer advertised to contain "high-energy plankton", more nutritious and palatable than its predecessors "Red" and "Yellow", but in short supply.

9

PART TWO: BACKGROUND MATERIALThe following materials can be used to help prepare students for viewing the movies. Advance preparation is important to the success of the activities. It is suggested that preparations begin approximately one month before the scheduled activity.

The Conquest of the West refers to the process through which American pioneers, hoping to get a better life and better living conditions, left the eastern coast of the United-States, epidemics and a high cost of living to discover unknown territories.

During this American history period, which took place between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century, thousands of families took the road towards what they thought would be a better life. During a very long period, the Appalachian Mountains, which run from the north east to the south east of the US, constituted a natural frontier to those who wanted to settle to the west. Before the beginning of the Conquest, only 100 000 Americans lived on the western side of the Appalachian. A century later, they were more than 7millions!

The Conquest of the West was also the triggering factor of a struggle between Indians and Americans. The Americans wanted to drive Indians away and take possessions of their land, therefore, when Indians did not accept these rules, Americans pillaged, killed and destroyed Indian villages. Some of these battles became famous: this is in particular the case of Little Big Horn, when Indians

10

won the battle against Americans. 200 of soldiers were killed, whereas only around 20 Indians died.

But the increasing number of pioneers and the always more threatening cavalry easily weakened the power of the last Indian rebels.

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Black Americans make up the single largest racial minority in the United States. Most African Americans are of West and Central African descent and are descendants of enslaved blacks within the territory of the present United States. However, some immigrants from African, Caribbean, Central American and South American nations, and their descendants, may be identified or self-identify with the term. Their history starts in the 16th century with black Africans taken by force to Spanish and English colonies in America as slaves. After the United States came into being, black people continued to be enslaved and treated as much inferior.

These circumstances were changed by Reconstruction, development of the black community, participation in the great military conflicts of the United States, racial segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement. In 2008, Barack Obama was the first African-American to be elected president of the United States.

Environmental protection is a practice of protecting the natural environment on individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and technology, the biophysical environment is being degraded, sometimes permanently. This has been

11

recognized, and governments have begun placing restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation. Since the 1960s, activity of environmental movements has created awareness of the various environmental issues. In the United States, the term is applied with a body of federal and state standards and regulations that are monitored by regulatory agencies. All states in the U.S. have some form of a department or commission that is responsible for a variety of activities such as monitoring quality, responding to citizen complaints, and enforcing environmental regulations. The agency with the lead implementation responsibility for most major federal environmental laws (e.g. Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act) is the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Other federal agencies with significant oversight roles include the Council on Environmental Quality, Department of the Interior and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Implementation – the Activity ItselfPreparation

Ask students to bring pens and paper (preferably a notebook).

Procedures

Students are divided into groups and directed to five cinema halls. The students receive a worksheet presenting the theme, background information, and questions for pair work and discussion.

Pre-viewing Teachers read the background material, clarify and explain the ideas. Teachers ask general questions to verify comprehension. (15 minutes) They introduce the questions for discussion and ask the students to think about them

while watching. The students watch the specially prepared movie. (30 minutes) Post-viewing Teachers go through the questions, one at a time, and let the students think and answer in

pairs or in small groups. (20 minutes) The responses are read aloud by each pair/group. ( 15 minutes) The students discuss the main issue. (15 minutes) One student will prepare a summary of the discussion and submit it to Rina or Ahuva.

Recommendations

12

I suggest you read the background I prepared for you. The excerpts have been chosen from very famous movies made by American directors and produced by American film studios in Hollywood.

When the students enter the cinema hall, give them the worksheets prepared for the activity.

Make sure they read all the information/background about the topic, summaries of the movies and questions – before they watch the movie.

Ask them what words they don't understand, ask them to translate the key words. After watching, divide them into pairs/small groups. Make sure they have pens/pencils and paper. Ask the pairs to write their answers. Ask the pairs to read their answers aloud. Ask one of the students to read the questions for discussion. Make sure all understand the questions. Select one or two students to write down what their peers say. Send a student outside to submit the summary of the discussion to Rina or Ahuva.

The success of the day depends on your active involvement and support during the discussions. It’s important that the students think about and discuss the themes of the different workshops and learn about the United States.

Student WorksheetsTheme-based worksheets were handed out to the students at the entrance of each movie theater.

I.THE CONQUEST OF THE WEST Background

"The Conquest of the West" refers to the process through which American pioneers*, hoping to get a better life and better living conditions, left the eastern coast of the United States, epidemics* and a high cost of living to discover unknown territories. During this American history period, which took place between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th century, thousands of families took the road towards what they thought would be a better life. They had to face wild nature, hostile* Indians, outlaws and Mexicans. Before the beginning of the Conquest, only 100 000

13

Americans lived in the western side of the USA. A century later, they were more than 7 millions !

The Conquest of the West was also the triggering* factor of a struggle between Indians and Americans. The Americans wanted to drive Indians away and take possessions of their land. Therefore, when Indians did not accept these rules, Americans pillaged*, killed and destroyed Indian villages. But the increasing number of pioneers and the constant threatening cavalry* easily weakened the power of the last Indian rebels*.

For quite a long time, Hollywood preferred to show the settlers' bravery* instead of showing the Indians' rights.

A. Reading and Comprehension-to be answered before watching

Translate the italicized words marked with a star

When did American pioneers move from the East to the West?

What dangers did they face? Why did the Indians and Americans fight each other?

B. Questions- to be answered after watching

What made the settlers' life so hard? Why do you think there were so many outlaws? What were they looking for? What can we say about the 'Good Guy' in the Western movies?

C. Discussion- to be led after watching

Do you think the Americans were right in fighting for staying in the West? Did they have any other choice?

II. THE AMERICAN DREAM

Background

14

The American Dream is a national ethos* of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity* for prosperity* and success, and an upward social mobility* achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement", regardless* of social class or circumstances* of birth.

The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which says that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed* by their Creator with certain inalienable* Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit* of Happiness."

Hollywood has perpetuated* the myth in order to encourage the immigrants to stay in the USA and raise a family. However, this myth has often been questioned in the movies : Are all the people happy and rich? Are they all honest and nice? Are they always willing to fight for their country?

A. Reading and Comprehension - to be answered before watching

Translate the italicized words marked with a star

According to the ethos, can anybody succeed in America? Where is that ethos rooted? What difference does that make?

B. Questions - to be answered after watching

What image (positive and negative) is shown of America? What were people forced to do in order to succeed and to show they were "somebody"?

C. Discussion- to be led after watching

Do you think anyone can succeed in life? Explain your reasons and give examples

15

III.BLACK AMERICANS Background

Black Americans are the single largest racial minority in the United States. Most African Americans are of West and Central African descent* and are descendants* of enslaved* blacks within the territory of the present United States. However, some immigrants from African, Caribbean, Central American and South American nations, and their descendants, may be identified with the term. Their history starts in the 16th century with Black Africans taken by force to Spanish and English colonies* in America as slaves. After the United States came into being, black people continued to be enslaved and treated as much inferior*.

These circumstances* were changed by Reconstruction, development of the black community, participation in the great military conflicts of the United States, racial segregation*, and the Civil Rights Movement. Black Americans became teachers, doctors and singers. In 2008, Barack Obama was the first African-American to be elected president of the United States.

Hollywood has done a great deal to help White American society accept the Black minorities as equals by exposing and denouncing* prejudice* and hatred.

A. Reading and Comprehension - to be answered before watching

Translate the italicized words marked with a star

Where do Black Americans come from? When were they brought to America? Did they remain slaves? Why?

B. Questions- to be answered after watching

What do we learn about the status (education, wealth, military, culture…) of Black Americans in USA before and after emancipation?

How did Black Americans react to the way they were treated? What do we learn about the way Whites treat Blacks? Discussion- to be led after watching What do you think can be done to improve Black Americans' conditions?

16

How can we change people's way of thinking?

IV. WOMEN LEADERS

Background

The role of women in our society has changed significantly in the past three decades. Women and girls have many more opportunities* and face different challenges*. Women who have achieved a great position in government, industry, sports, and the media* have become a familiar sight. It hasn’t been always the case.

Throughout most of history women generally have had fewer legal rights and career opportunities than men. Wifehood and motherhood were regarded as women's most significant professions. In the 20th century, however, women in most nations won the right to vote and increased their educational and job opportunities. Women were long considered naturally weaker than men, and unable to perform work requiring muscular or intellectual development. In most preindustrial societies, for example, domestic chores* were given to women, leaving "heavier" labor such as hunting and plowing to men. This ignored the fact that caring for children and doing such tasks as milking cows and washing clothes also required heavy, sustained* labor.

Hollywood has played an important role in changing the way society considered women because it has shown them as leaders.

A. Reading and Comprehension - to be answered before watching

Translate the italicized words marked with a star

How has the role of women changed in our society? How were women considered? What did women gain in the 20th century?

B. Questions - to be answered after watching

What women are described in the movies you watched?

What difficulties do they face?

How do they cope with the situation they are forced to live in?

17

Did you identify with the women in the movies? Explain your answer

C. Discussion - to be led after watching

Do you believe women can play a significant role in changing the world they live in?

V. ECOLOGY

Background

Environmental* protection means protecting the natural environment on individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit* of the natural environment and humans. Due to the pressures of population and technology, the biological and physical environment is being degraded*, sometimes permanently. Governments have begun placing limits on activities that cause environmental degradation. Since the 1960s, activity of environmental movements has created awareness of the various environmental issues. All states in the U.S. have some form of a department or commission* that is responsible for a variety of activities such as: 1.monitoring* quality, 2.responding to citizen complaints, and 3.enforcing* environmental regulations*. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for implementing* laws.

Hollywood has always been afraid of man's easy loss of control over technological development – therefore, many movies have been made on the subject to raise awareness and encourage fighting for a better and more controlled environment.

A. Reading and Comprehension - to be answered before watching

Translate the italicized words marked with a star

Why is biological and physical environment being degraded?

18

What have governments done to change the situation? What have environmental movements done to change the

situation?

B. Questions – Pre-viewing

What different dangers are shown in the movies you watched? Do you think they are realistic? Explain According to what you have been watching, who is responsible for the deterioration of

man’s environment?

C. Discussion - Post-viewing

Do you think that the environment in which you live is satisfactory? Give examples. What could you do to improve the situation?

19