Propaganda Unit for CSF Level 6 - Lesson 4 of 8
Wag The Dog
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Duration of Lesson: 100 minutes Student's Background Knowledge: This will be the fourth lesson of 8 on the topic of Propaganda Techniques in Advertising and Politics. The last lesson had students identify and describe persuasive techniques used in print advertising. In this lesson students are introduced to political public relations strategies in a fictitious political environment in the film Wag The Dog. Students identify the persuasive strategies used by the public relations personnel in this film. CSF Outcomes for this Lesson: "6.3 Analyse and interpret the structure, content, and aesthetic qualities of media texts" "6.4 Analyse the characteristics and role of the media in different cultural contexts." Aims & Objectives: By the end of this lesson students should be able to:
Assessment: Using student notes Students will be assessed for their ability to describe the role of public relations personnel in politics and identify some persuasive techniques used by public relations personnel in the film Wag The Dog. Student Teacher Focus: voice, eye contact, board work, classroom management. Resources and Materials: The video Wag the dog (1997), Note Books, whiteboard marker & white board. Classroom Organization: Students to sit with view of the television. Introduction (1 min) Explain to students that after looking at persuasive techniques in print and television advertising and political propaganda, we will be looking at the role of public relations personnel in political campaigns. Today we will be watching the movie Wag the Dog, in preparation for the next class in which we'll be taking a closer look at the role of public relations personnel. Explanation of Task 1 (1 min) Students are to pay particular attention to the persuasive techniques Conrad Brean uses in this fictitious political campaign, to the duties he performs in his role, eg: setting up press conferences, providing news reels to television stations, strategically diverting attention from the President's scandal. Students on Task 1 (97 mins) Students watch the film. The Film Synopsis, as described on ACMI web site (Accessed 24/4/04): "Two weeks prior to re-election, the President of the United States becomes involved in a sex scandal concerning a Girl Scout in the Oval Office. To keep the media from learning of this, Presidential adviser, Winifred Ames, brings in political consultant and spin doctor, Conrad Brean, a specialist in salvage operations. They both join forces with Hollywood producer, Stanley Moss, and in an attempt to divert the country's attention away from the President, they redirect the media spotlight to a war. Lacking a real war, they create one. Cast includes: Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Anne Heche, Woody Harrelson, Denis Leary and Willie Nelson." Closure (1 min) Explain that for homework, students are to write down their observations of Conrad Brean's duties and persuasive techniques for discussion in the next class. Contingency Plans: If equipment is not working, do next week's lesson this week and vice versa. Have print materials and computers at hand to do this. Comments on Future Lesson Directions: References: Wag the dog (ACMI #: 309510), 97 min, 1997, Distributor: ROADSHOW (RSHOW) Subj rating, Mature Accompanied 15+ , Prod Co: New Line Cinema Producers: Barry Levinson, Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Director: Barry Levinson Synopsis described on Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) web site: (Accessed 24/5/04) http://script.cinemedia.net/htbin/wwform/www/?TEXT=R110436184-110441338-/www/documents/126/cat/wwi770.htm |
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