Teaching global issues using “The Burning Season”
“The Burning Season” has wide relevance to schools, especially in the subjects of Geography, Environmental Studies/Science, International Studies, Political and Business Studies, English and Indonesian Language and Culture.
Here are just some of the class activities in the Study Guide developed by Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM):
Environmental Studies
Evaluate the advantages of biofuels, the problems with present production methods and the environmental objections to using palm oil as a feedstock for producing biodiesel compared to other biofuels such as ethanol.
Identify food and other products containing palm oil. If it is not clear, write to manufacturers asking if they use palm or palm kernel oil and in which products (don’t forget cosmetics).
Prepare posters designed to raise awareness of the palm oil problem, for display in communal areas like the library.
Philosophy – Ethics
Class Discussion:
• Do we have any actual right to clear rainforests?
• If an orangutan has the intellect of a human child, is killing one murder?
• Does a great ape have a higher right to life than an intellectually disabled human?
Food Technology and Catering
Students could investigate products for palm oil content and conduct research into the health issues related to the product.
LOTE – Indonesian
Write a letter in Bahasa from Achmadi to the Governor of Jambi province, explaining why you had to burn your plot, why you should not be punished and what help you need to stop burning in future.
More educational activities
- Download the film’s study guide
- Visit the film’s website www.theburningseasonmovie.com which has a comprehensive discussion of the global issues, Indonesian deforestation, how the forests can be protected, support campaigns, images, news, the characters, behind the scenes, and more information for teachers and students.
- The film has an action website at – www.tenthingsyoucando.com
Cathy Henkel
Writer, Director, Co-Producer
The Burning Season
Source: http://community.enhancetv.com.au/profiles/blogs/teaching-global-issues-using
