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10-04-2002, 02:36 PM | #1 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: In a box with a fox
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LOTR in school
O.k., my mother is a teacher, and she likes LOTR (she is not a fanatic... yet [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img] ) She is teaching this civics course and she was trying to think of a way to justify watching LOTR in this Civics class. If you could think of anyway that she could justify this, please post! You can also say how someone could justify it in other classes.
English/Drama: Write about the setting of LOTR. BTW Civics is about politics and stuff. Thanks!
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10-04-2002, 02:39 PM | #2 |
Hostess of Spirits
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It is easy to justify it for an English class, because any English class I ever took involved reading classics and discussing their themes, etc... and well, I consider LOTR to fall under this category (of course, I am referring to reading the book for class, not watching the movie...).
As for civics... well, I just don't see that working.. |
10-04-2002, 02:42 PM | #3 |
Reflection of Darkness
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Hmmm. Maybe she could show a clip of the Council of Elrond or something. But otherwise, LOTR for civics class won't work.
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10-04-2002, 03:17 PM | #4 |
Pile O'Bones
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Actually, I can see some application for a civics class, depending on the age and characteristics of your students. The issue of the ruling of Gondor would be an excellent discussion starter. What is the nature of a legitimate claim to a throne, or to governance? The students could run a debate or panel discussion on the topic of who should rule Gondor, Elessar or Faramir. Why is Elessar's claim more legitimate than the Steward's son's claim?
It's all about the vestiture of power. Who gives this authority to a ruler? I would think some teens would be able to enjoy intelligent discussion of such issues. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]
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10-04-2002, 03:44 PM | #5 |
A Ghostly Light
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What about exploring the dynamics of the Fellowship? Who assumed the leadership role, how Gimli and Legolas's conflict was resolved, that sort of thing?
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10-05-2002, 06:44 AM | #6 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
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There are alot of politics in Gondor. You just have to find it. And in Hobbiton.
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10-05-2002, 09:00 AM | #7 |
Wight
Join Date: Apr 2002
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From Merriam Webster (online courtesy of AOL). CIVICS: A social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens.
I am assuming the class Arwen has mentioned is a high school (American) class. What I remember of taking this course in 12th grade, is primarily a study of the working and function of the American government. By definition, I can see no way in which showing FoTR is justifiable in a civics class. Elda's suggestion of discussing the rights of who's claim is best to rule Gondor, sounds good, initially. ME as presented by Tolkien is predominantly a world governed by Feudal governments. Anyone here living in Feudal society? Didn't think so. Therefore this topic doesn't seem to apply in a civics course either. It would work in a course designed for the study of Feudal governments. However there are several problems. 1. It is doubtful that a movie would provide enough detail, to warrant a meaningful class discussion. A: The issue of who should rule Gondor is primarily an issue dealt with in RoTK, which isn't yet out as a movie. B: The LoTR is not primarily a tale about the reclaiming of a throne. Which means any real details would have to come from students reading and studying LoTR in depth. Which is time consuming, and better suited at a collegiate level (remember I'm assuming this is for a high school class). 2. History already provides plenty of detailed cases for the study and discussion of Feudal governments. A: Tolkien provided genealogical tables a-plenty for the ruling heads of Gondor. But it is debatable wether or not he provided enough detail on the workings of the Gondorian government, to justify a discussion about a fictional claim to kingship, in an educational setting. Sorry Arwen, I don't see much hope for your mother justifying the showing of FoTR in class. Nor was I attempting to make any kind of personal attack on Elda, by ripping her suggestion to shreds. |
10-05-2002, 09:16 AM | #8 |
Master of the Secret Fire
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Eldanuumea, you have a lot of faith in teens.
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10-05-2002, 09:29 AM | #9 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
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Eldanuumea: Welcome to the Downs!
My sister had to watch the movie in class for a values class. I thought that the civics amd values were the same---my thoughts are randomly dyslexic today. Oh me! Elda's suggestions are great, but the first thing that came into mind was the dynamics of the fellowship, which is a feeble attempt to conect the movie with civics. The Council of Elrond is a great example of diplomatic relations and treaty formations (anyone with better terminology can correct me). Hobbiton's politics are not very clear. They don't have a ruler to represent them, but it's a great culture to study and analyze.
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10-05-2002, 10:54 AM | #10 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
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Thanks guys! It is a grade 10 Civics class, in Canada if you want to know. If you have anymore suggestions, Please post!
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10-05-2002, 11:28 AM | #11 |
Ghastly Neekerbreeker
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Much as I love the book, I can't really see it being used in a Canadian Civics class. Can't see much connection between the parliamentary system and a hereditary monarchy ruled by fiat. Now an Ethics class might be a possiblity, but not a Civics class.
I could see it being taught in a English Lit class, or a Drama class, or maybe even a History class if you were doing comparisons. I could even see it being used in a Math class. "If Frodo sets out from Hobbiton at a speed of 10 miles a day, and Gandalf sets out from Orthanc..." [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] |
10-05-2002, 02:12 PM | #12 |
Animated Skeleton
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Quote: I could see it being taught in a English Lit class, or a Drama class, or maybe even a History class if you were doing comparisons.
I could even see it being used in a Math class. "If Frodo sets out from Hobbiton at a speed of 10 miles a day, and Gandalf sets out from Orthanc..." HAHA! That is the funniest thing i have heard in a long time,that has made a so far miserable day good !! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
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10-05-2002, 09:47 PM | #13 |
Pile O'Bones
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Tarthang, that's quite all right......I have been on forums long enough to have developed a much thicker skin than I started out with!!
I was stretching a good bit, trying to create a reasonable rationale. I teach high school English, and will be teaching FOTR for the first time in November-December. Does anyone have any specific suggestions for conveying the magic of Middle Earth to underachieving, unmotivated learners? [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]
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10-05-2002, 11:33 PM | #14 |
Reflection of Darkness
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After making your students read LOTR (which is pure torture for them, I know ), you could always have act out scenes from the book.
Or, better yet, you could teach your class in costume! Ok, maybe that's getting a little carried away, but if it helps.......
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Nolite te bastardes carborundorum Last edited by Brinniel; 02-03-2007 at 09:56 PM. |
10-06-2002, 06:12 AM | #15 |
Pile O'Bones
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Wish I knew where to get a Gandalf costume! That would be great fun!
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"There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world." - Gandalf the Grey |
10-06-2002, 07:33 PM | #16 | |
Wight
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About the Civics thing, I really can't see an adequate way to incorporate an LOTR lesson in a Civics class. =| Sorry, Arwen.
Now.. Quote:
Introduce LOTR as no other book you'll ever teach to them. In costume would be great [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img], as Brinniel said. Perhaps stroll into the class and say something like: "Class, we are going to be reading and discussion a trilogy of books that you may or may not recognize the name of. They will be books like no other you've ever read, and if you read them with open minds, they just might change your lives before you realize the change is happening." You know, something really dramatic and drastic, to introduce the outstanding, striking influence of the phenominal books right away. Something like: "These will be books brimming with utter and complete evil, corruption, war, devotion, friendship, incredibly love, and deception. Nothing that R.L Stein could give you with Monster of Fear Street, eh?" Read the books as a class if you can, but before doing so, maybe you could give a light introduction to Middle Earth? I'm sure everything will go great! Just make sure not to make the trilogy sound awfully boring, for with teens, things like books will automatically seem dull. [Not for all teens, just a lot of us.] Good luck! =) [ October 06, 2002: Message edited by: DarkRose ]
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10-16-2002, 04:28 PM | #17 |
Hostess of Spirits
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LOTR in school, you say???
If you don't believe that it could really happen check out this link!!! http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/...222635762.html |
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