Lesson Plans & Film Modules
Standards-based curricula and film modules accompany Independent Lens films on a broad range of topics: immigration, civil rights, women’s rights, religion, the environment, and more.
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The Island President explores the global politics of climate change and the ethics of government and industry. President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives confronts a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced — the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. After leading a pro-democracy movement against a brutal regime — surviving repeated imprisonments and torture — Nasheed became president of this low-lying country, only to face danger from the rising ocean. Two standards-aligned lesson plans explore climate change and human rights, accompanied by three short film modules.
Level: High School, College
Subject Areas: Environmental Science, Social Studies, Government, Media Literacy, Economics, Current Events, World Cultures/History, Language Arts, Ethics -
Film modules from the PBS series based on the bestselling book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn take students on a tour of the issues facing women and girls in key areas of the world: maternal mortality in Somaliland, gender-based violence in Sierra Leone, sex-trafficking in Cambodia, forced prostitution in India, education in Vietnam, and economic empowerment in Kenya. Lesson plans ask students to think about how issues relate to their own communities and how they can join a global movement to turn oppression into opportunity for women and girls everywhere.
Level: High School, College
Subjects: Social Studies, Global Studies, Civics, Economics, Government, Political Science, Sociology, World History, Language Arts, Geography -
Film modules feature unique stories from documentaries about the impact of mass incarceration on the lives of women and girls in the United States: Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story, Girls on the Wall, and Troop 1500. Lesson plans engage students in discussions about the criminal justice system; factors that put teens at risk; the impact of mass incarceration on individuals, families, and communities; and effective responses to these issues.
Level: Middle School, High School, College
Subjects: Social Studies, Sociology, Language Arts, Criminology, Counseling, Psychology -
Film modules feature clips from documentaries about extraordinary African American women leaders: Daisy Bates: The First Lady of Little Rock; The Interrupters; and The Black Power Mixtape 1967 - 1975. The first lesson considers the leadership of the largely forgotten Daisy Bates in school desegregation of Little Rock, Arkansas. The second lesson introduces Ameena Matthews, a former drug-ring enforcer turned violence interrupter, who intervenes in conflicts before they turn to bloodshed. The final lesson asks students to examine the legacy of Angela Davis in liberation movements around the globe.
Level: Middle School, High School, College
Subjects: History, Social Studies, Sociology, Language Arts, Civics, Political Science -
Women and Girls Lead is a public media initiative that amplifies the voices of women and girls, expands understanding of gender equity, and engages a connected network of citizens and organizations to act locally and reach out globally. This curricula collection features film modules from three documentaries: Pushing the Elephant, Bhutto, and Waste Land. Lesson plans introduce students to the personal stories about gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, women’s rights in Pakistan, and the power of art to change women's lives in the world's largest landfill in Brazil.
Level: Middle School, High School, College
Subjects: Social Studies, Sociology, Language Arts, Civics, Political Science, Global Studies, World History, Geography, Art -
Film modules draw from four compelling documentaries about women's empowerment and leadership around the world. Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai introduces Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Laureate that launched an environmental movement in Kenya, while Waiting for the Revolution follows an indigenous Bolivian leader fighting for labor rights. Shayfeen.com, We’re Watching You spotlights three Egyptian women working for fair elections, and Shadya profiles a young Israeli Arab karate champion with feminist ideas. Lesson plans encourage students to learn and understand international struggles and take an active role in addressing local concerns.
Level: High School and College
Subjects: Social Studies, Global Studies, Civics, Economics, Government, Political Science, Sociology, World History, Language Arts, Geography -
Film modules for the documentaries Please Vote For Me, Iron Ladies of Liberia, Chicago 10, and An Unreasonable Man offer thought-provoking perspectives on the changing nature of democracy across the globe. Lesson plans ask students and teachers will find new ways to explore democracy abroad, elections, gender, and media literacy through class discussions, activities, and homework assignments.
Level: High School and College
Subjects: Language Arts, Social Studies, History, Civics -
Film modules examine representations of manhood, sexism, and homophobia in hip-hop culture through the eyes of a fan and critic determined to challenge representations of masculinity in his favorite music. Lessons ask students to think critically about the limits of artistic license and the effects of media on cultural attitudes.
Level: High School and College
Subjects: Language Arts, Social Studies, History, Civics, Media Studies, Media Literacy, Music
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Film modules from the documentary Copyright Criminals explore the origins of sampling culture in hip hop music, copyright law, creativity, and technological change. Lessons ask students to trace the rise of hip-hop from the streets of New York to a multibillion-dollar industry, and think critically about what happens to “remix” culture when record company lawyers get involved.
Level: High School, College
Subjects: Media Studies, Media Literacy, Social Studies, History, Sociology, Media Production, Music and Language Arts, Business, Legal Studies -
Film modules from Sentenced Home follow three young Cambodian Americans through the deportation process. Raised in inner city Seattle, the young men pay an unbearable price for mistakes they made as teenagers as each confronts a legal system that offers no second chances. Lesson plans humanize the controversies of immigration and ask students to think critically about immigration policy.
Level: High School, College
Subjects: Social Studies, History, Civics, Human/Civil Rights, Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy, Legal Studies -
Film modules from Knocking open the door on Jehovah's Witnesses, who despite their intention to stay out of politics, won a record number of court cases that expanded civil rights for everyone. Lessons ask students to learn about the largely unknown history of the misunderstood Christian faith and meet two families who stand firm for their beliefs.
Level: High School, College
Subjects: Social Studies, History and Civics, Human/Civil Rights, Religion, Theology, Ethics, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology
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