Online Propaganda and the Proliferation of Hate Lesson Plan

Authenticating Information
Digital Citizenship
Internet & Mobile
Online Hate

Level: Grades 10-12

Author: MediaSmarts

Duration: 2 to 4 hours

This lesson is part of USE, UNDERSTAND & ENGAGE: A Digital Media Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools.

Overview

In this lesson students learn about the ways that propaganda techniques are used to promote hatred and intolerance online. The lesson begins with a class discussion about what propaganda is and how it works. Students will review various types of propaganda deployed for a variety of purposes and explore how propaganda can be used as a tool for promoting hatred. For homework, students analyze examples of propaganda techniques found online and identify the rhetorical devices used.

This lesson is part of the Facing Online Hate lesson series.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

  • develop an awareness of how propaganda is used in everyday society
  • develop an understanding of the ways in which propaganda is used to misinform, anger, and incite people to hatred or xenophobia
  • learn to adopt a skeptical approach to truth claims made by propaganda

Click here to download the Propaganda Slideshow (PPT)

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) are available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.

Lesson Kit