A Unit Exploration of Dystopian Fiction Ms. Magee

Monday, August 14 Book check out Turn in Syllabus Slip! Binders Quizlet (Vocabulary Quiz #1 on 8/21) TurnItIn.com (use laptops to set up account) Newsela Dystopian Unit begins tomorrow!

Tuesday, August 15 Please answer the following question in your binder section labeled “Bell Work”: What does a perfect society look like? Explain.

Society: Good & Bad Utopia: A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect to politics, laws, customs, and conditions. Dystopia: A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

The Lego Movie Watch the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX74gtBxxMw Discussion: Is this society a utopia or dystopia? Why? Are utopian societies achievable?

Diddy–Wah-Diddy Read “Diddy-Wah-Diddy” Using a dictionary, define “idyllic” Write at least three things that make this place idyllic Discussion: Do you know another story about a far-away wonderful place that sounds similar? Can you tell it? Why was this story so important to African Americans in the twentieth century?

The Hunger Games Watch the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmrPu43DF8 Discussion: Is this society a utopia or dystopia? Why? Is it truly an honor to represent your district in an event designed to kill? Why or why not?

Logan’s Run Watch the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USADM5Gk9Gs Discussion: Utopia or dystopia? Why? The population and the consumption of resources are maintained in equilibrium by killing everyone who reaches the age of 30, preventing overpopulation. What are your thoughts on this? Do dystopian societies allow for individualism? Why or why not?

Class Activity With a partner, answer the following questions: What are the problems facing society today? Make a list. Is it society’s aim to eliminate these evils? Is it possible to eliminate them? Where can we find images of utopia in popular culture? Where can we find historical/contemporary examples of a dystopian society? Please turn in for a grade!

Wednesday, August 16 Tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statements: In an ideal society, everyone is equal. It is better to be ignorant and happy than to be aware and upset. The government knows what is best for us. Rules exist to help us live our lives properly. The police should be allowed to do whatever they can to protect us. It is alright to upset people as long as you’re doing what is best for society. If you know you are right, you shouldn’t listen to anyone else.

Class Activity Watch the clip: https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/pizza/images/screen.swf Discussion: In a dystopian society, citizens are under constant surveillance. Is this a good thing? Does this foster individualism? Review “Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics” handout

Characteristics of a Dystopia Propaganda is used to control citizens. Information, independent thought , and freedom are restricted.

Characteristics of a Dystopia A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.

Characteristics of a Dystopia Citizens have a fear of the outside world. Citizens live in a dehumanized state.

Characteristics of a Dystopia The natural world is banished and distrusted. Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent are bad.

Characteristics of a Dystopia The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.

Types of Dystopian Control Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media.

Types of Dystopian Control Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials.

Types of Dystopian Control Technological control: Society is controlled by technology— through computers, robots, and/or scientific means.

Types of Dystopian Control Philosophical/Religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government.

Propaganda In a dystopian society, the government often brainwashes people with propaganda. Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view

Thursday/Friday, August 17/18 Please answer the following question in your binder section labeled “Bell Work”: Based on our discussion yesterday regarding dystopian controls, do you believe that Americans are being controlled by technology, bureaucracy, and corporations? Explain.

Vocabulary (Quiz on Monday!) utopia dystopia propaganda individualism dehumanization ideal bias dissent bureaucracy theocracy

Baseline Writing Assignment Use entire class period No cell phones!

Monday, August 22 Please answer the following question in your binder section labeled “Bell Work”: Do you think that the United States will ever be truly equal? Explain.

Agenda Vocab Quiz #1 Journal Check Summer Reading Assignment Due! (All Sections)

Bandwagon Persuading people to do something by letting them know others are doing it

Name-Calling Negative words & images to create an unfavorable opinion

Red Herring Distraction – uses details that have nothing to do with the topic

Testimonial Using the words of a famous person to persuade you

Emotional Appeal Appealing to your emotions instead of using logic, reason, or facts

Repetition Repeats the message over and over again

Glittering Generalization Using “good” labels that are unsupported by facts

Sweeping Generalization Stereotypes - a statement about a group of people not based on fact

Circular Argument What you are supposed to believe is mixed in with the proof…You are led to believe something based on the facts

Appeal to Statistics Using numbers to show how many people think something is true

Plain Folks People who use this product or believe this idea are just like you and me

Emotional Words Words that will make you feel strongly about someone or something

Propaganda Activity On a separate sheet of paper, write your own example of each propaganda technique. Please turn in for a grade!

Harrison Bergeron Read “Harrison Bergeron” Annotate as we read Be prepared to read if your name is pulled from the Cup of Doom!

Harrison Bergeron On a separate sheet of paper, respond to the discussion questions provided in the handout. Please turn in for a grade!