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Curriculum

Media and American Democracy

Essential Question

How does the First Amendment’s protect speech and press, prior restraint, and right to know in democracy? The lessons in this curriculum are each designed for a 45-minute class period and can be used in a Journalism, English, Civics, Social studies, or Government classroom. They explore the application of the First Amendment’s protection in a modern democracy concerned with national security. Find effective ways to use the First Amendment, press-related debate, and the daily news to capture the imaginations of their students and inspire engagement, citizenship, and the belief that all of us have the responsibility to participate.

Grade
7–12
Published
Apr 28, 2021
BRI's 1st Amendment resources that explores free speech and freedom of the press

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Table of Contents

UNIT ONE: MEDIA RIGHTS, ROLES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lesson 1: Expression and Students
Lesson 2: Public Policy and the Press
Lesson 3: Got Facts? Or Fiction?

UNIT TWO: THE MEDIA AND NATIONAL SECURITY
Lesson 1: Clear and Present Danger
Lesson 2: Government and Prior Restraint

UNIT THREE: THE MEDIA AND OBJECTIVITY
Lesson 1: Ethics and the Media
Lesson 2: Bias and Recognizing It
Lesson 3: Reading in a New Way

UNIT FOUR: THE MEDIA AND POLITICS
Lesson 1: Argument through Logic and Emotion
Lesson 2: Propaganda and Presidential Election
Lesson 3: Images and Selling Ideas
Lesson 4: Voice: What Is Said and Not Said

UNIT FIVE: THE MEDIA AND THE FUTURE
Lesson 1: The Bill of Rights and Fahrenheit 451
Lesson 2: Myth and the Media
Lesson 3: Blogs and Mainstream Media

Answer Key
A Note on Standards
Transparency Master A: The First Amendment
Glossary of Journalism Terms
Glossary of Propaganda Terms
Glossary of Rhetorical Devices
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Media Milestones Timeline
Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics
Web Site Evaluation

Header photo by Jon S

Founding Principles

Natural/Inalienable Rights, Freedom of Speech

Virtues

Civil Discourse

Standards

Check whether this resource aligns with your state’s standards →