Lesson Plan | Socioemotional Learning | Mass Culture

Objective

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

This phase is designed to introduce students to the topic by highlighting the relevance of understanding diverse cultural expressions and their effects. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration and helps establish a strong foundation for developing socio-emotional skills like self-awareness and social responsibility throughout the lesson.

Objective Utama

1. Identify and appreciate the various cultural expressions spread through mass media.

2. Cultivate critical thinking skills to understand the impact of mass culture on today's society.

3. Discuss and reflect on the social and emotional effects of cultural portrayals in the media.

Introduction

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

Emotional Warmup Activity

Guided Meditation for Better Focus and Presence

The chosen activity for warming up emotions is Guided Meditation. This session involves leading the students into a state of calm and concentration, using careful verbal cues to help them centre their minds in the present moment. This practice is intended to boost focus and prepare them mentally for the lesson ahead.

1. Ask students to sit comfortably with their feet well planted on the floor and hands resting gently on their knees.

2. Invite them to slowly close their eyes and pay attention to their breathing, noticing the rhythm as air enters and leaves.

3. Encourage them to take deep, relaxed breaths – inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.

4. Guide them to imagine a soothing light filling their body with each inhale and to let go of any stress or worries with every exhale.

5. Allow them to continue this process for a few minutes, focusing solely on their breathing and the sense of calm it brings.

6. Gradually ask them to become more aware of their surroundings, moving their fingers and toes, and when ready, to gently open their eyes.

7. Wrap up by asking them to briefly share how they feel now compared to before the meditation.

Content Contextualization

Mass culture significantly shapes our everyday lives, influencing our behaviours, values, and beliefs. It is visible in the music we enjoy, the movies we watch, and the trends we follow. Gaining a deeper understanding of this phenomenon is essential for developing a critical outlook towards the world, as well as discerning how media stirs different emotions and sometimes even manipulates them.

For instance, while watching an advertisement or a film, we may experience emotions ranging from happiness to anxiety. These feelings can subtly affect our decisions without us realising. Reflecting on these influences helps us to understand ourselves better and make more informed choices, ultimately fostering better self-control and a balanced emotional state.

Development

Duration: 60 - 75 minutes

Theory Guide

Duration: 20 - 25 minutes

1. Understanding Mass Culture: Mass culture encompasses the forms of cultural expressions that are broadly circulated through media like television, radio, films, the internet and social networks. These mediums wield considerable influence on public behaviour, values, and beliefs.

2. Evolution of Mass Culture: The rise of mass communication in the 20th century – especially with the advent of radio and television – laid the groundwork for mass culture. The digital era, with the emergence of the internet and social media, has only accelerated the spread and change of cultural phenomena.

3. Key Features of Mass Culture: Characterised by its standardisation, commercial appeal, and wide accessibility, mass culture is created to reach as many people as possible. Often, the focus is more on entertainment than on deeper cultural insights. Typical examples include Bollywood or Hollywood films, pop music, and popular TV serials.

4. Effects of Mass Culture: The influence of mass culture can be both beneficial and problematic. On one side, it democratizes access to information and entertainment, encourages cultural exchange, and facilitates global dialogue. On the other side, it may reinforce stereotypes, encourage excessive consumerism, and sometimes dilute cultural uniqueness by favouring mainstream content.

5. Critically Examining Mass Culture: It is important to adopt a critical approach towards mass culture. This involves questioning the values being promoted, understanding the emotional and societal impacts of these cultural portrayals, and considering who gains from their widespread dissemination.

Activity with Socioemotional Feedback

Duration: 30 - 35 minutes

Media Analysis and Critical Discussion

In this exercise, students will examine various media items – like advertisements, film clips, or music videos – to identify the emotions they trigger. They will discuss the potential effects these emotions might have on both individuals and society. Using the RULER framework, they will gain a practical insight into how mass culture shapes our emotional responses.

1. Divide the class into groups of 4 to 5 students each.

2. Provide each group with a different media item (for example, an advertisement, a film clip, or a music video).

3. Request each group to watch or review their assigned media piece and note down the emotions it evokes.

4. Ask them to discuss the possible reasons behind these emotions and the impact they might have on both individuals and society.

5. Ensure that each group correctly names and identifies the emotions observed.

6. Invite the groups to deliberate on how the media piece portrays these emotions and whether this portrayal is fitting.

7. Encourage each group to suggest strategies for healthily managing the emotions evoked by the media.

8. Finally, have each group present their findings and suggestions to the class.

Discussion and Group Feedback

After the group presentations, facilitate a class-wide discussion using the RULER strategy. Ask the students how they discerned the emotions shown in the media and whether they understood the underlying causes and outcomes of these emotions. Encourage sharing of personal reflections on how they identified and expressed these feelings, and invite them to discuss any challenges they faced. Conclude by discussing the suggested emotional regulation techniques and exploring how these can be applied in their daily lives. This interactive discussion will help them internalise the critical analysis process while enhancing their socio-emotional skills.

Conclusion

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

Reflection and Emotional Regulation

Invite the students to either write a short paragraph or engage in a group discussion about the challenges they experienced during the media analysis. Encourage them to reflect on how they recognised and managed their emotions during the exercise, and which emotional regulation techniques they found most useful. For example, they might discuss how they handled feelings of negativity or intensity and whether any previously discussed strategies helped them maintain control.

Objective: This segment aims to promote self-reflection and facilitate emotional regulation. By reflecting on their experiences, students can identify which strategies work best for them when faced with challenging situations. This process builds self-awareness and better self-control, which are vital elements of emotional intelligence.

Glimpse into the Future

End the lesson by asking students to set some personal and academic targets inspired by the discussion on mass culture. Explain that these goals may range from critically evaluating daily media content to effectively applying emotional regulation techniques in real life. Encourage them to share their goals with the class, thereby creating an environment of mutual support and growth.

Penetapan Objective:

1. Develop a critical understanding of mass media.

2. Apply emotional regulation techniques in everyday scenarios.

3. Regularly reflect on mental and emotional responses to media.

4. Explore and appreciate different cultural expressions.

5. Engage in healthy discussions about the influence of mass culture on society. Objective: This part is intended to boost students' independence and the practical application of what they have learnt. By setting clear, manageable goals, students are encouraged to integrate classroom insights into their daily lives, supporting sustained academic and personal development.