Rage Against the Machine: Etc, Etc, Etc; Tuesday, Second Period [01/18].

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Welcome back, guys," said Summer, again from the front of the classroom sim, which was all decked out with an old-timey projector--don't worry, the quality of what they'd be viewing was fine, this was all part of the whole ~effect~--. "So, last week, we talked a little bit about warning signs of a Galactic Empire, and things to look out for, some subtle, most not, which then probably begs the question of how and why people could even fall for this crap in the first place.

"The first answer to that, obviously, is systemic oppression and threats of violence...or worse, of course, but the second part of it is often propaganda, which is forms of media created to push a very specific, often false, narrative with regards to a certain set of beliefs, politics, governmental power, war efforts, etc, etc, etc. Usually, this is the sort of stuff that's framed in a sense of unity, national pride, patriotism, blah blah blah. They're designed to make the person viewing it feel involved or that they could have some part in the greater good, despite the fact that the people creating the propaganda are the exact same people who took that agency away from them in the first place. It's basically mind manipulation without the actual mind control, and it can be stupid effective sometimes.

"Propaganda can also be used by the 'good guys,' though, too, and you could argue that literally everything is propaganda. This class is propaganda. I'm actively trying to radicalize you against oppressive regimes, and I do that through education when you're still young and squishy...well, some of you definitely not so squishy...and impressionable. Does that mean propaganda's only bad when the people we don't like are doing it? Or is it questionable coming from anyone, and it's important to be aware of propaganda when we see it and consider what ulterior motives might be behind every public message we're being fed?

"To springboard this discussion a little further, I've put together a compelation of various examples of propaganda I was able to root up from around the multiverse. We'll have a look and then we'll discuss what we've noticed and how that can help us when it comes to defending our galaxies from those who wish to take it over like complete and total dicks."

Living with Trauma, Tuesday 1/18, 3rd Period

[stykera]

The lights were turned down low in the classroom today. Was that because the alien at the front of the room spent too much time at the bar last night or was it because today was a movie (well, TV show) day? Or were those two things related? He wasn’t telling.

“One way,” Stark said quietly, “of dealing with painful experiences is talking about them. With someone who can help. Therapists. Doctors. Someone who understands. Maybe just someone sympathetic who will listen.”

Did Stark need to talk to someone himself right about now? Absolutely. Had he tried that yet? Not even a little.

“But we aren’t talking today. Today we’re watching other people talk in a show. A cartoon. As an example of how these things can go.”

Stark had not watched the show before selecting it. Oops?

Books vs Movies, Tuesday first period

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Right, welcome back." Jon rubbed his eyes and gestured toward the screen. "I...actually, I hadn't planned doing two children's movies back to back, but there are so very many awful biblical movies out there, so this is what you get. At least it's slightly less whitewashed than most of them.

"Anyway, enjoy it, think of how it chose to expand on, ignore, or subvert the original text, and then let's discuss it.

"And for next week, please read 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'."

Mad Kings & Queens: Raving Royals and How To Survive Them (Tuesday, 4th Period)

[atreideslioness]

 As the students came in today, they'd probably all notice the  very large television at the front of the room.

"I literally have a minor revolt to deal with and letters to write, so today we're supposed to cover Idi Amin Dada," she said, pointing to the stack of handouts by the door. "Take one when you leave. For now, we're going to watch a movie. It's called the meta for The Last King of Scotland, and it happens to be on the person we're supposed to be studying today."