Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Students consider perspectives and voices of seeking asylum and the effects on people involved. They deepen their understanding of different perspectives by examining the ‘voices’ that exist and how they interrelate. Using thinking and analytical tools, students examine the perspectives present in a short sequence from Chasing Asylum and commentary in commercial media. Students then consider and reflect on the significance of the perspectives highlighted.
Chasing Asylum exposes the real impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies through the personal accounts of people seeking asylum and whistleblowers who tried to work within the system. To watch the documentary, stream it on Kanopy and ClickView or purchase the DVD at the ATOM Education Shop.
Learning intentions:
- Students will learn that different perspectives on issues stem from how they are represented and examined in texts.
- Students will understand and evaluate how effective texts are in representing or communicating different ideas, attitudes and values.
- Students will be able to explain how and why texts position audiences.
21st Century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 11 English
Analyse and evaluate how and why responses to texts vary through:
- the ways ideas, attitudes and voices are represented, for example, how events are reported differently in the media (ACEEN029)
Reflect on their own and others’ texts by:
- evaluating the effectiveness of texts in representing ideas, attitudes and voices (ACEEN039)
- explaining how and why texts position readers and viewers (ACEEN040)
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding.
Cross-curriculum priority:
Topic: Social Issues.
Unit of work: Voices of Chasing Asylum – access the unit overview here.
Time required: 90 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: High – facilitate class discussion and assess student work.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Device capable of audio/visual presentation to present a website to the class. Whose Voices? Quote Sheet. Butcher’s paper (optional).
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Keywords: Asylum, refugee, political influence, perspectives, advocacy, tolerance, compassion.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.