discovering south korea through the...

INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM GUIDES

DISCOVERING SOUTH KOREA THROUGH

THE WAY HOMETHE WAY HOME contrasts modern lifestyles against the non-technological traditional ways of rural village life in this story that scales globalization down to a child’s level. A city-born boy must deal with extreme culture shock when he is left to live with his deaf-mute grandmother without his Gameboy and Kentucky Fried Chicken, ultimately outgrowing his selfishness through her patient love. Produced by Tube Pictures; Directed by Lee Jeong-hyang; DVD Distribution by Paramount; Winner, South Korea’s Academy Award-equivalent for Best Picture and Screenplay.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Social Studies (Geography): The Republic of Korea (South Korea)

• General Cross-Cultural Understanding: Silent Speech – The Importance of Nonverbal

Communication

• Media Literacy: Viewing The Way Home

• Language Arts (Visual Literacy): Protagonist/Antagonist – Exploring the Character of Sang-Woo

• Social Studies/Language Arts: Confucian Values Media Literacy; Juxtaposition

• Film-Specific Cross-Cultural Understanding: At Home in Korea – An Exploration of Korean Customs

• Social Studies (Economics): The Trade Game

• Mathematics: Using Graphs

• Science: How We Produce Sound

• Visual Arts: Bangpaeyeon – Korean Fighter/Shield Kites

ADDITIONAL THEMES EXPLORED: Urban/Rural Dichotomy • Inter-generational Conflict • Coming of Age/Responsibility • Change through Generations • Globalization • South Korean Traditions and Culture

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DISCOVERING TIBET THROUGH

THE CUPTHE CUP is an inspiring tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapades and daring secret plots. World Cup soccer fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan monastery and centuries-old traditions are threatened – the young monks will do just about anything to watch the final match, posing a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. Produced by Festival Media; Directed by Khyentse Norbu; DVD Distribution by Buddhist Film Foundation; Screened at the Director’s Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Social Studies (Geography): On the Roof of the World

• Social Studies (Geography/World History): Introduction to Buddhism

• Language Arts (Visual Literacy): Orgyen Comes of Age

• Film-Specific Cross-Cultural Understanding: Daily Life in Tibet – A Study in Tradition and Change

• General Cross-Cultural Understanding: Learning about Culture

• Social Studies (Current events): A World of Refugees

• Media Literacy: The Politics of Production

• Science: Energy Sources and Resources

• Mathematics: The Value of Money

• Visual Arts: The Art of the Mandala

ADDITIONAL THEMES EXPLORED: Living in Exile • Belief Systems • The Refugee Experience • Globalization • History of China and Tibet • Coming of Age • Buddhism • Responsibility • Tibetan Traditions and Culture




DISCOVERING INDIA THROUGH

LIKE STARS ON EARTHLIKE STARS ON EARTH explodes misconceptions about behavioral problems by projecting the devastating social and learning impacts of dyslexia from the affected’s point of view. It portrays how one caring teacher can reverse the victimization and social stigma that comes with the reading disorder in colorful and imaginative Bollywood style. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions; Directed by Aamir Khan; DVD Distribution by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment; Recipient of the Filmfare Best Film Award, and the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Social Studies: The People and Land of India

• Media Literacy: The Elements of Film; Viewing Like Stars on Earth

• Language Arts (Visual Literacy): Making Beauty Out of Nonsense

• Mathematics: Determining Your Grade

• Science: How the Brain Works

• Visual Arts: Color and Design Block-Printed Textiles

• Film-specific Cross-Cultural Understanding: Diwali – The Festival of Lights

• Music History: The Historical and Social Background of Bollywood

• Arts: A World of Music

ADDITIONAL THEMES EXPLORED: Bollywood • Music and Dance Traditions in Indian Film • Creating Tension Between Characters • Dyslexia, Brain Function and Individual Expression • Diwali and Hinduism • Traditional Indian Music Instruments • Contemporary World Music




DISCOVERING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH

BEAT THE DRUMBEAT THE DRUM sounds the alarm about the ravages of AIDS on African society. It follows a young boy who is orphaned by AIDS on his emotional quest for survival, understanding, and community as he makes the perilous journey from the remote village KwaZulu, Natal to urban Johannesburg to seek financial support from his uncle. Produced by ZProductions; Directed by David Hickson. DVD Distribution by Virgil Films; Recipient of 30 international film festival awards.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Social Studies, Geography, History: Apartheid and South African History• Social Studies: Epidemics and Pandemics• World History: HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa• Media Literacy: Viewing the film Beat the Drum• Language Arts: Musa’s Heroic Journey• General Cross-Cultural Understanding: Affirmative Action in South Africa• Film-specific Cultural Studies: Zulu Cultural Traditions• Media Literacy / Service Learning: The Language of Persuasion• Science: Immunodeficiency Diseases• Mathematics: The Mathematics of Epidemics• Visual Arts: Zulu Basketry: A Tradition of Coiling• Health: Chronic Illness and Disability in the Classroom• Appendices:

• Dealing with Sudden Death: Grief Work in a High School Setting• Books about Disabilities• Immunodeficiency Diseases

ADDITIONAL THEMES EXPLORED: Additional themes explored: HIV/AIDS, Infectious Disease Transmission and Prevention in General • Pandemics • Wellness • Societal Implications of the AIDS Pandemic • South African and Zulu History and Culture

The development of this guide was made possible by the generous support through a grant made by The Fledgling Fund.




DISCOVERING IRAN THROUGH

CHILDREN OF HEAVENCHILDREN OF HEAVEN shows the humanity of an ordinary Iranian family who support each other in trying economic circumstances almost unimaginable to young Americans. A contemporary Iranian film, it gives students a new lens in which to view the Middle East. Produced by The Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children & Young Adults; Directed by Majid Majidi; DVD Distribution by Miramax; Nominated for Best Foreign Language Academy Award.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Social Studies (Geography/World History): The Islamic Republic of Iran

• Media Literacy: Viewing Children of Heaven

• Language Arts/Visual Literacy: Understanding Children of Heaven

• Film-Specific Cross-Cultural Understanding: Perspectives on Iranian Culture

• Social Studies (Geography): My Home is Tehran

• Media Literacy: Film as Storytelling – How Filmmakers Use Technology to tell their Tales

• General Cross-Cultural Understanding: Put Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes

• Mathematics and Keeping Secrets: Probability, Percentages and Functions for Creating and

Deciphering Secret Code

• Science: Iran, Land of Earthquakes

• Art: Persian Carpets

ADDITIONAL THEMES EXPLORED: Additional themes explored: Social Economics • Iran as Land of Contrast • Middle East • Islam • Urban Life • Belief Systems • Setting and Achieving Goals • Coming of Age/Responsibility • Iranian Traditions and Culture




DISCOVERING MAORI CULTURE THROUGH

WHALE RIDERIn WHALE RIDER, leadership and gender roles are challenged when a young girl struggles to achieve her rightful place as the new chief of her tribe. But according to the Maori tradition, only a male can become the leader. Produced by South Pacific Pictures; Directed by Niki Caro; DVD Distribution by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment; Winner, Best Foreign Film (Independent Spirit Awards), World Cinema Audience (Sundance Film Festival) and AGF People’s Choice Award (Toronto International Film Festival).

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Social Studies (Geography/World History): Who Are the Maori?

• Media Literacy: Viewing Whale Rider

• Social Studies (World History) & Language Arts: The World Outside, The Spirit Within

Language Arts (Visual Literacy); Maori Roles and Relationships Film-Specific Cross-Cultural

Understanding; Insights Into Maori Culture General Cross-Cultural Understanding; Culture and

Gender Media Literacy; Special Effects and Music: How Filmmakers Evoke Emotion in an Audience

• Science: Echolocation

• Mathematics: Counting the UncountablE

• Art: Markings of the Maori – Ta Moko

ADDITIONAL THEMES EXPLORED: Girls Empowerment/Gender Roles • Leadership and Conflict Resolution • Culture Change through Generations • Coming of Age/Responsibility • Belief System/Animism • Maori Traditions



discovering south korea through the...

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