https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-class-divided/.
Discussion
Instructions: Preview these questions prior to viewing the documentary. After watching the film formulate your responses to each of the following critical thinking questions. Compose and type your responses in complete sentences. Each question has been given an alphanumerical code (example “CT-1”). Answer each of the 8 questions by placing the question’s alphanumerical code at the beginning of your answer/response. Your responses to the critical thinking questions are to be submitted on eCampus. Follow the instructions on how to do this below. You do not have to retype or copy the questions. Single space your responses and use Tahoma or Times New Roman 12 type font. Answer each question in the order and format below. Edit your paper for typing and grammar errors before submitting.
Example:
Question CT1. When Jane Elliott gathered and debriefed her third graders at the end of the original two day exercise, what comments did the children make concerning what they had learned from the exercise? Comment on specific words the children used and interpret the feelings behind the body language they demonstrated as third graders.
Response CT1. After the two day exercise during the debriefing session when the children were in a circle surrounding Jane Elliott, the children made comments such as….
Question CT1. When Jane Elliott gathered and debriefed her third graders at the end of the original two-day exercise, what comments did the children make concerning what they had learned from the exercise? Comment on specific words the children used and interpret the feelings behind the body language they demonstrated as third graders.
Question ER/CT2. Notice how quickly the children fell into their assigned roles. According to Elliott, in the span of how many minutes did it take for the children to take on these roles? What does this say about how easy it is to learn to become prejudice? Make a personal statement reflecting on how prejudice is learned.
Question CT/SR3. As adults who attended the reunion, what specific comments were made to Jane Elliott about the value of the exercise when asked was “the learning was worth the agony? How would you interpret their responses?
Question EQS4. The Stanford University Psychology Department evaluated the children’s academic level of work during the two-day exercise from their spelling tests, reading tests scores after the two-day exercise was complete. Write a complete sentence describing each of the following the types and directions of correlations found as a result of the children’s experiences. Review pp. 17-19 in the Sanderson textbook on correlational research. Explain the type and the direction demonstrated for each of the following the correlational relationships (positive or negative):
(a) between self-esteem (X) and discrimination (Y)?
(b) between discrimination (X) and academic performance (Y)?
(c) between self-esteem (X) and academic performance (Y)?
(d) What are the implications of these findings?
Question PR/TR5. Which particular child (Raymond, Susan, Brian, Russell, John, Roy, Lorrie, Greg, Sandy, Sheila, Verle) attracted your attention in the video? How did you relate to the feelings of that child? What makes you say that?
Question CT/ER6. Identify the specific prejudicial statements and the behavioral techniques used by Jane Elliott to set up the exercise. Draw parallels between Elliott’s words and methods with those used by individuals and /or by society to foster prejudice, discrimination and inequity.
Question SD/PR7. Have you ever personally experienced (been a victim of) prejudicial attitudes or discriminatory behavior? If so, what were the circumstances? How did you cope with the stress? If not, what will you do in the future when you see or experience discrimination in action?
Question C/TR8. Discuss your overall reaction to “A Class Divided.”
Respond to this prompt by including this thinking routine:
Before viewing “A Class Divided” I used to think…
After viewing “A Class Divided” I now think…
Instructions on how to submit your responses on eCampus.
Log into our course on eCampus.
On the left side find the course menu and the button which says: “Equity Assessment: A Class Divided” and click on it.
To write your responses you may either type your responses in a word document and attach it through “Browse My Computer” or you may click on the “Write Submission” box and write your responses in the text box provided. A text box will appear immediately below. Place your cursor in that box and click. Then start typing your responses to the guided critical thinking questions according to the directions you have been provided.
When you are finished writing your paper scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click on “Submit.”
You are finished!
