We have added a new film guide to our library to help you teach with film about political corruption and civic engagement! Political corruption is an abuse of power in which public officials and political leaders use their positions of public trust and influence for private gain. An informed and educated population is essential for a thriving democracy because people can hold government officials accountable and make it harder for them to abuse their power. Government transparency and a free press are also important. Our Civic Engagement Lessons are designed to introduce students to the the mechanics of political corruption and the ways that everyday citizens can play a role in maintaining healthy democracies. These are great tools for teaching Civics, Current Events, Government, Political Science, and Social Studies.
Resources to Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement
Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement: And So It Begins — New Resource!
“How can you have election integrity
if you don’t have integrity of facts?”
Maria Ressa
And So It Begins follows key players in the 2022 Philippines presidential election from two sides of an increasingly dangerous war between press and government. Journalist Maria Ressa faces many legal charges because the government of the Philippines specifically enacts laws aimed at undermining journalistic freedoms and integrity in order to pave the way for increased political corruption. The Philippines is an important case study on the relationship between a free press and political corruption.
Our And So It Begins Learning Guide features a section on Political Corruption and Civic Engagement. It explores the actions that weaken democratic institutions and pave the way for political corruption. It also examines the power of civic engagement and the civic responsibilities of global citizens. This section includes questions for discussion, writing, or personal reflection, as well as extension activities, and additional resources.
Journalism teachers may wish to pair this section with the Journalist Profile on Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa.
Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Current Events, Journalism, Media Literacy
Get the And So It Begins Learning Guide.
More Resources to Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement:
Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement: Navalny
The Navalny documentary provides an intimate portrait of Russian opposition leader, democracy champion and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, the man most feared by Vladimir Putin. Our Navalny Learning Guide includes a section on Civic Engagement: Political Corruption, Nationalism, Leadership that explores the civic engagement responsibilities of global citizens. The Navalny film and learning guide make a powerful combination with And So It Begins.
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Civics, Current Events, Political Science, Social Studies
Get the Navalny Learning Guide.
Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement: Civics and Civic Engagement Lesson Collection
We recommend the classroom-ready lessons in our Civics and Civic Engagement Lesson Collection to further explore issues raised in the resources listed here. Relevant subjects and themes in this collection include: Civic Engagement and Community Belonging. Community Action and Engagement, Effective Advocacy, Grassroots Work, The Strategic Use of Power, What is Power, and Working for Change.
Lesson Grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Explore the Civics and Civic Engagement Lesson Collection.
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We have added a new film guide to our library to help you teach media literacy with film! In the current dominant online ecosystem, facts are often secondary or irrelevant. Instead, clicks and social media engagement are driving factors for content creation. Algorithms often encourage bias against facts and fact-based journalism. Our Media Literacy and Journalism Lessons are designed to help students think critically about the many kinds of media and messages they are exposed to and to consider the ways media is created and shared. These are great tools for teaching digital literacy, journalism. media literacy and online safety.
Resources to Teach about Media Literacy with Film
New Resource! Teach about Media Literacy with Film: And So It Begins
“What I have witnessed and documented over the past decade is technology’s
godlike power to infect each of us with a virus of lies, pitting us against one
another, igniting, even creating, our fears, anger, and hatred, and accelerating
the rise of authoritarians and dictators around the world.”
– Maria Ressa, How To Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future
And So It Begins shows the impact of online disinformation on real world people and politics. The documentary closely follows key players in the 2022 Philippines presential election from two sides of an increasingly dangerous war between press and government. Representing the journalists is fearless Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, who despite arrests and harassment continues to publish articles holding a lawless regime accountable. On the other side, influencers start an incendiary social media movement.
Our And So It Begins Learning Guide features a section on Journalism, Disinformation, and Social Media. It explores how social media and disinformation can create fragmented versus shared social constructions of reality, as shown in the film. This section includes questions for discussion, writing, or personal reflection, as well as extension activities, an online quiz, and additional resources. These resources creates breathing room for students to consider and discuss the intersection of social media and politics in the context of real world events in another country with more objectivity than they might bring to examples of partisan politics closer to home.
Journalism teachers may wish to pair this section with the Journalist Profile on Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa.
Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Current Events, Journalism, Media Literacy
Get the And So It Begins Learning Guide.
More Resources to Teach About Nobel Prize Winners with Film
Teach about Media Literacy with Film: Navalny
The Navalny documentary provides an intimate portrait of Russian opposition leader, democracy champion and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny. Our Navalny Learning Guide includes two sections that make a great combination with And So It Begins:
- Data Tracking, State Surveillance, and the Role of Journalism asks: Is it possible for data tracking to be used for justice without compromising individual privacy?
- Social Media, Censorship, and Propaganda explores how to consume informational critically.
Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Civics, Current Events, Journalism, Media Literacy, Political Science, Social Studies
Get the Navalny Learning Guide.
Teach about Media Literacy with Film: The Social Dilemma
Documentary-drama hybrid The Social Dilemma reveals how social media is reprogramming civilization with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.
The learning tools for The Social Dilemma also work well with And So It Beginss. These tools include: Classroom Debate Resource, Gen Z Action Guide, Center for Humane Technology – Youth Toolkit, and Bonus Interview Clips.
Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Current Events, Media Literacy, Psychology
Get The Social Dilemma Learning Guide.
Teach about Media Literacy with Film: Media Literacy and Journalism Collection
We recommend the classroom-ready lessons in our Media Literacy and Journalism Collection to further explore issues raised in the resources outlined here. Subjects and themes in this collection include: Bias and the Politics of Production, Fake News, Investigative Journalism, Media Analysis, Media Responsibility, Propaganda, the Importance of a Free Press, the Role of Citizen Journalists, and Understanding What You Are Watching.
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Explore the Media Literacy and Journalism Collection.
Don’t Miss Out
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Ramona S. Diaz is an award-winning Filipino American filmmaker and the director of And So It Begins. She is best known for her compelling character-driven documentaries that combine a profound appreciation for cinematic aesthetics and potent storytelling. Diaz’s films have demonstrated her ability to gain intimate access to the people she films — be they rock stars, first ladies, dissidents, mothers, teachers, or journalists — resulting in keenly observed moments and unforgettable nuanced narratives. Her films have been screened and won awards at top-tier film festivals around the world. Diaz has been recognized by many as one of the most influential Asian American women working in film and television.
The And So It Begins Learning Guide introduces learners to Ramona S. Diaz and her filmmaking career. It features discussion questions about Diaz’s creative process and filmmaking techniques. It also includes extension activities and additional resources.
These teaching tools are great additions to classes on filmmaking, film literacy, film studies, media literacy, and women in film.
Get the And So It Begins Learning Guide now to learn more about this accomplished filmmaker and how you can teach with her powerful film.
Bonus: Teaching about Groundbreaking Women in World Cinema? We also offer an introduction in our Meshes of the Afternoon Discussion Guide to experimental filmmaker Maya Deren, and a profile in our Wadjda Curriculum Guide on pioneering Saudi director Haifaa al-Mansour.
PS Are you a social impact filmmaker who’d like too expand the lifespan of your film and its reach to a range of educational audiences? Learn more about partnering with us and get in touch!
And So It Begins
