The Perils of Parody
Parody represents a benefit to teachers since the use of parody and its devious kin, satire, are "protected speech."
So, by developing lessons that target parody and satire, teachers can skirt the normal copyright "Fair Use" issues, and use whatever they want. And skirting normal fair use is mandatory since draconian budget cuts ensure that none of the needed materials required for enhancing the curriculum were ordered. (And, if these materials were ordered, they will arrive in time for your lesson on this topic during the next school year.)
No Downside
There doesn't seem to be any downside to the use of parody and satire in classrooms because teachers enjoy wide support for the freedom to engage in academic inquiry and the freedom to engage in the unbridled pursuit of truth. This is a "Win-Win" situation.
And, if these weren't enough benefits, add the fact that humor enhances memory and learning in every subject.
Besides, parody and satire prove to be just the kind of cutting-edge (emphasis on cutting) that teenagers devour. Satire and parody are a match made in heaven for teenagers, and for those teachers blessed with the privilege of teaching this age group.
Connecting with (and Building Rapport with) Cynical, Counter-Culture Students
Because of the broad latitude and wide umbrella of academic freedom, it is easy to integrate parody and satire into all content-area subjects. (A lot easier than integrating technology, since material for parody and satire is abundant, whereas technology and access to it, is scarce.) Note: remember those unbelievably deep budget cuts?
Check out any newscast. The foibles, fiascos, and foolishness of elected official, politicians, school superintendents and school board trustees (no pun intended) provide fodder for the "Mockery Mill" that you run daily in your classroom.
Since these are public figures, you don't have to worry about slander and libel laws like you would with ordinary, honest citizens.
And, if the news is dry, you can always make up some scandal because these folks, especially the politicians; are almost always covering up the sex (no pun intended), graft and incompetence that they have their fingers in (or on); on an almost daily basis.
Bonus Lessons
We have posted two sample essays to demonstrate just how easy the integration of parody and satire are. These are in the form of two complementary essays concerning the current immigration debate.
The authors of these essays, A. Bigot and A. Zealot, enjoy wide fame on the media airways daily as they propound their "One-Size-Fits-Everybody and the Kitchen-Sink" doctrines. Added to this preponderance of pontifications is the added benefit that each author is so right that they do not have to pay attention to a single word that the other side writes.
Links to the parody articles. No "Flames" Please. Remember that these articles are satire, and only sound extreme when we write them; but the arguments are less clear and less understandable when delivered with with "bureaucratic speak" by "slippery-tongued" politicians.
Link to the A. Bigot Article (PDF Format)
Link to the A. Zealot Article (PDF Format)
Just imagine all the creative ways that you can have your class study these essays.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Students list each elected official, and sort each into categories personified by A. Bigot and/ or A. Zealot. (Hint: Some politicians could be both)
- Students interview teachers on campus, and decide which, if any, category each teacher belongs in
- Students create two non-functional political parties (modeled after two that we don't need to name), and make speeches as they run for the following offices:
- Office of Immigrant Catcher (Modeled after Dog Catcher)
- Office of Immigrant Zoning
- Immigration Community Infiltration Officer
- Warden (Self-explanatory)
- District Immigrant Attorney (Modeled after the District Attorney)
- Immigrant Defender (Modeled after the Public Defender)
- Solitary Confinement Guard
- Chief Justice, Court of No Appeal
- Military Tribunal Briefing Officer
- Military Tribunal Intimidation Officer
- Secretary of Under Employment
- Secretary of Deportation and Humiliation
- Students Create Mind-Less-Maps of the "Pro and Con" Arguments
- Students Create Dialogue Maps of the Arguments using a scale to measure how extreme each argument is
- Students Collect Pennies, and the student body votes on whether to donate the funds to either...
- Retired Immigrant-Tracker Bloodhound Benevolent Fund
- The Institute for the Promulgation of Fake IDs
If you know of another issue that you would like to have us examine in our typical fair and even handed manner, please let us know.
