Explore the Propaganda Gallery and use these free lesson plans to help students critically analyze contemporary propaganda.
These eight lessons are designed to be used in sequential 45-minute sessions. You can download the complete curriculum with lesson plans and handouts as a PDF file or you can access the lesson plans as editable Google Docs to customize for learners.
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE Mind Over Media Curriculum (PDF)
1. Defining Propaganda. There are many different definitions of propaganda, but all definitions share some common themes. These definitions reflect changing time periods and contexts.
2. Recognizing Propaganda Techniques. Although propaganda takes many forms, it can recognized by its use of techniques that activate strong emotions, simplify ideas, respond to audience needs, and attack opponents.
3. To Share or Not to Share. It is important to consciously reflect on the potential benefits and harms that may result from propaganda because people participate in the spread of propaganda when they share with their social networks.
4. Where Propaganda Is Found. It can be challenging to recognize propaganda when it is found in entertainment, education, and news because do not expect to be persuaded by these types of content.
5. Analyzing Propaganda with Critical Questions. Analyze propaganda by asking critical questions about the message that identify its author, purpose, and point of view. Also consider multiple interpretations of how people may respond to the message.
6. Talking Back to Propaganda. When you demonstrate your ability to comment, critically analyze, and put propaganda in context by creating a short video response, you are using the power of image, language, and sound to convey important ideas.
7. Keep Learning. For the intellectually curious individual, there’s a lot more to learn about propaganda. Deepening your knowledge of propaganda is excellent preparation for work, life, and citizenship.
8. Reflect on Propaganda. Reflecting on what you have learned about propaganda helps you internalize new knowledge and apply it to everyday life.
Download the English translation of the Romanian curriculum, the Belgian curriculum or the Finnish curriculum.