M5 Discussion Forum Posting: Academic freedom and controversial issues

This module examined why and how controversial issues should be taught in schools as a part of a media studies curriculum. Here are some suggestions by Salas (2004) regarding the preparation for and teaching of controversial issues:

• Have an understanding of the school community and determine how tolerant its members (educators & parents) are on teaching controversial issues;
• Review pre-existing curriculums on social justice to see how other teachers have approached such topics;
• Preview materials to be used and decide the (age) appropriateness of the content; and
• Inform the parents and principal in advance about the plan to teach the controversial issue and explain how it fits into the school’s curriculum and standards (pp. 2-3).

For me, the reason behind teaching controversial issues is to raise student awareness regarding freedom and equality. Students also need to be aware of how the messages portrayed through the media might promote controversies in society. When a teacher is shunned for teaching controversial issues, the particular school cannot be considered truly democratic because students will not have a chance to discuss and make their own decisions about such issues in society. This will lead to further misunderstanding and divide amongst a democratic society. With media literacy education, students will have the means to examine such issues from various perspectives and be able to create content through the media that promote social justice from the students’ point of view. Only by addressing and discussing such issues directly will the controversies become less controversial in the society.

Reference

Salas, K. D. (2004). How to teach controversial content and not get fired. In The new teacher book. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.