OBJECTIVE:

To watch the Simpsons episode

‘Mypods and boomsticks’ to

understand how the media deals with

community cohesion and issues of racism.

OUTCOMES…Grade CAll – Will be able to describe how Muslims and other religions and races are portrayed in this episode.

Grade BMost – Will be able to explain, using examples, how this episode might promote community cohesion.

Grade A-A*Some – Will be able to evaluate, using examples, whether this episode might provoke racial tension.

Your GOALS for the end of

this lesson are…

Issues linked to community cohesion (racism, sexism etc...) are often used by the media to promote

understanding as well as presenting interesting storylines for viewers.

Can you think of any storylines (from soaps, films, dramas etc..) or examples (from songs,

the radio, documentaries etc...) that deal with

issues relating to community cohesion?Make a list in your

books...

Panorama – Hate on the doorstepFilm – American History XCasualty – woman wouldn't be treated by black doctorFilm – Four LionsStrictly come dancing – racist commentsBig Brother – racist commentsFilm – Malcolm XVicar of Dibley – Women priestsFilm – Guess Who? Hollyoaks- racist teacher

The media sometimes

tackles issues relating to community

cohesion in a humorous

way.

Think of ONE

positive and ONE

negative of presenting issues in

this way...

The media sometimes

tackles issues relating to community

cohesion in a serious way.

Think of ONE positive

and ONE negative of presenting

issues in this way...

Mypods and BoomsticksBart befriends a Muslim boy and invites him and

his parents to dinner, only for Homer's paranoia to get the better of him, but when Homer goes over

to their house to apologize, he sees the father with sticks of TNT and thinks he's going to blow up

Springfield Mall.

Watch the following episode of The

Simpsons...

Answer the questions on your sheet.Remember to include as much detail as

possible (ESPECIALLY EXAMPLES)...

Are women, religions and people from ethnic groups

represented fairly in this episode?

Focus particularly on how Muslims are portrayed (positive and negative)

How might this episode promote community cohesion?

Think about the message it gives – especially towards the end.

Do you think this episode could provoke racial tension?

Think about how it might influence people.

The questions…

Are women, religions and people from ethnic groups represented

fairly in this episode?Focus particularly on how Muslims are

portrayed (positive and negative)

Yes – There are different religions represented – e.g. Hindu-Apu, Buddhist-

Lisa, Christian-Flanders, Muslim-new family, Jewish-Krusty.

Yes – The new Muslim family are shown to be welcoming and neighbourly – e.g. Offer Bart dinner upon first meeting

him.No – It shows a stereotypical view of Muslims and Non-Muslims E.g. Homer

assuming they are terrorists.

How might this episode promote community cohesion?

Think about the message it gives – especially towards the end.

It shows that stereotypical views of Muslims are WRONG – E.g. Homer assumes they are terrorists

but there is an innocent explanation for everything.It shows that families of different religions can get along

and be friends – E.g- Bart and the Muslim boy become good friends as do both families in the end.

It highlights the cultural differences in a positive way – E.g. Bart has some food cooked by the Muslim

family and loves it.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations praised the episode and sent a commending letter to Mat

Groening. They wrote "I applaud your effort in Sunday's episode of

'The Simpsons' to humanise American Muslims by challenging anti-Muslim sentiment in our society. By

introducing a professional Muslim family, the 'Mypods and Boomsticks' episode highlighted the

diverse make-up of Springfield and brought to light how Americans can work toward mutual respect and

inclusion by getting to know their neighbours."

Do you think this episode could provoke racial tension?

Think about how it might influence people.

Yes – It highlights the differences between cultures and religions – E.g. Muslims don’t eat pork.

Yes – It highlights Islamic stereotypes – E.g. Linking Muslims to terrorist acts.

Yes – It makes Islamophobia look like something experienced by the majority – E.g. The bullies at

school, the men in the bar and Homer all had negative stereotypical views.

No – In the end it highlights how silly it is to hold these stereotypical views about Muslims – E.g.

Homer was wrong about them and everything had a simple explanation.

No – It shows that people who have stereotypical prejudice views like Homers can hurt and offend – E.g. The Muslim family get upset and hurt at the

meal by Homers comments.No – It showed the importance of getting to know

your neighbours and that we live in a multi-cultural, multi-faith society and that this is

something to be celebrated – E.g. The ending of this episode.

OUTCOMES…Grade CAll – Will be able to describe how Muslims and other religions and races are portrayed in this episode.

Grade BMost – Will be able to explain, using examples, how this episode might promote community cohesion.

Grade A-A*Some – Will be able to evaluate, using examples, whether this episode might provoke racial tension.

Did you achieve your GOALS?…