Level(s): Grades 6 to 8
Overview
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This lesson helps students understand the different types of "cop shows" that appear on television. Students will create their own pilots for television cop shows, based on information provided in class, and will learn about the differences between the constructed reality of these programs and law enforcement in real life through class discussion with a police officer. Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- understand how "cop shows" construct reality
- appreciate the differences between the constructed reality of "cop shows" and law enforcement in real life
- appreciate the characteristics and conventions of the different types of "cop shows"
Preparation and Materials
Photocopy:
Procedure
Guided Discussion
Ask your students:
- Define the genre "cop show"
- What are some of the characteristics of a TV cop show?
- How many types of cop shows can you think of? (Write students' suggestions on the board)
Distribute What Is a Cop Show? As you review each classification, ask students for examples from the shows they watch on TV. When these classifications have been reviewed, ask them:
- What are the differences between the different cop show classifications?
- What are the similarities?
- Some of these programs are one hour long, and others are a half-hour long. How does the length of a program affect a program's content?
- Which do you prefer, cop shows that use a continuing story-line, or cop shows that feature a distinct story each week? What are the advantages or disadvantages to each of these methods?
- What elements make a program like "X-files" a cop show?
- How are reality-based cop shows different from other cop show categories?
- Do reality-based cop shows truly reflect reality? Why or why not?
- What advantages might reality-based cop shows have for networks?
- What types of cop shows do you like best? Why?
Activities
Activity 1
Divide class into small groups. Each group is to create a "pilot" for a new cop show. The pilot will include:
- The name of the show
- The type of program (based on the classifications that have been discussed)
- Setting of show
- A cast list, with character profiles (in-depth character descriptions of the main characters for hero-based shows, brief character descriptions for group-based shows)
- A story-line for the pilot episode
- An explanation of their show's "audience appeal" (i.e.: what distinguishes their program from other cop shows? What hooks will they use to attract viewers?)
Each group will present their pilot to the class and submit a written copy of this assignment to the teacher.
Activity 2
Invite a community police officer from your area to visit your classroom. Ask students to compose a list of questions about police-work in real life and on TV for discussion with the officer. (It might be helpful to submit the students? questions to the officer prior to his or her visit.)
Evaluation
- Group presentation and written assignment.
