Unit Three

Activities and resources collated by Dr Agnes DCosta and Dr Suvidya Sarvankar
Unit Three: The Emerging Self

Concept note:

People often bear prejudices and tend to stereotype others. This has an adverse effect on the persons being stereotyped. Low self esteem, bearing a suspicious bent of mind and lack of self worth could emerge if one is continually labelled. Prejudices have an undesirable effect on interpersonal communication. This in turn affects the team spirit, becomes an obstacle in personal and social development. Prejudices could be fuelled by one’s own childhood experiences, home, school and media. It is necessary to examine and address these beliefs objectively. Henri Tajfel’s Social Identity theory (‘in group-out group’ theory) may be used as a base. It is important that the basic principle of this unit, namely freedom from bias and stereotypes, is interwoven into the classroom environment. Encourage student-teachers to identify their role as agents of change by helping to eliminate prejudices and biases seen in the classroom.

Subunit One: Stereotypes and Prejudices :Gender, Class, Caste, Race, Region, Language, Religion,Disability ( any three of the indicated may be chosen)

Suggested Activities

Give a brief input on Henri Tajfel's Social Identity Theory.


Let students view videos, clips of films or read news where stereotyping is evident. Follow this by a discussion to understand what stereotyping means.

Sample questions for discussion:

What are stereotypes and prejudices? Who are victims of stereotyping? What are the effects of stereotyping? What impact do prejudices have on people?

Students share experiences  where they have faced stereotypes

Bursting stereotypes

See a lesson plan for bursting stereotypes

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Subunit Two :Agencies that shape the self:

Analyzing the influence of home, school and media on stereotypes and prejudices 

               Activities for introspection to find what results in formation of prejudices

•        Interview people in your family to see if they bear any prejudices. Have you been influenced by these? What roles have films and school played in formation /elimination of prejudices. Share the experiences in a group

Some lesson plans can be accessed at

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/understanding-stereotypes.cfm

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/secondary-education-resources/lesson-plan-ideas/lesson-5-prejudice-and-stereotypes

http://www.learningtogive.org/units/setting-stage-service-learning-relationships/behind-scenes-closing-curtain-stereotypes

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Sub unit Three: Challenging Stereotypes

Suggested activities: Role play,  Problem solving exercises, Re-scripting an experience to make it prejudice-free