History & Social Studies
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT in FILM & LITERATURE
Course No. HI407D, HI507D
One of the essential components in Language Arts and Social Studies is the study of the Civil Rights Movement. Our culture is fascinated with this topic and there is ample film and literature to help communicate the scope and importance of civil rights to future generations. This course will provide curriculum ideas for Language Arts and Social Studies teachers of grades 4th-12th that meet state standards for student learning.
This course will also provide video and literature ideas for teachers preparing for major themes of the Civil Rights movement that can wake up your students and empower discussions around many of the major social justice topics. Films like “Malcolm X,” “Voices of Civil Rights,” “Martin Luther King, Jr.,” “Ghosts of Mississippi,” “Rosa Parks Story,” etc; many of these films are available at local libraries, from NetFlix, in video stores and also for free trial and purchase from documentary film sources like The Video Project. You will choose 8 videos to view and summarize, and write a short plan on how you’ll use some of these in your teaching situation.
If you choose NetFlix, a three-month subscription is about $30. (NetFlix also has an online video capability with the right operating system.) You will need to have access to both a DVD player and a VHS video player to enjoy the full range of media choices.
| We advise you to review and download the course syllabus before registering. | Syllabus |
Upon completion of this course, participants will:
- Have a broader knowledge of the different video and literature possibilities associated with the Civil Rights movement for classroom use.
- Develop greater skill in how to use videos for teaching purposes.
- Develop a plan for a teaching unit in the Civil Rights movement that applies to their teaching.
- Apply extended reading on of Civil Rights issues to lesson plans, if the credit option is chosen.
