Scapegoating and Othering - Lesson

Lesson Plan

Level: Grades 8-10

Author: Jeff Gagnon, Media Education Specialist, MediaSmarts

Overview

In this lesson, students develop a deeper understanding of scapegoating and othering and how these factors may contribute to the promotion of hatred and intolerance. Through group and class discussions of various scenarios and a survey of articles on news websites students will develop the necessary critical thinking skills to recognize and respond to such incidents when they are encountered.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn:

• what scapegoating and othering are and how these affect individuals and groups
• how to recognize both the subtle and more blatant ways in which hatred and intolerance are promoted through scapegoating or othering
• to articulate their own attitudes towards scapegoating and othering
• ways to respond to scapegoating and othering
• how to critically evaluate information
• the relationship between attitudes and discriminatory behaviour
• the difference between fact and opinion
• that what they read, see or hear in the media, should not be taken at face value

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

Lesson Kit:

Lesson_Scapegoating_Othering.pdf