Lesson 1

Overview

 Students will learn about trauma, traumatic events and PTSD.  They will understand why journalists are sent to cover traumatic events. They need to understand that covering trauma is a possibility in any kind of journalism including investigative, sports, and especially general assignment reporting.

Goals for Lesson:

Students will be able to:

* define trauma

* identify signs and symptoms of trauma

* understand why journalists are sent to cover traumatic events

* have a clear understanding of what trauma is

 Class Length – 80 minutes

Materials/Resources:

 1. PowerPoint presentation on trauma: POWERPOINT on trauma.pptx

2. YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0UPnWfNpak

3. Worksheet on trauma: Identifying Trauma Worksheet.docx (group activity)

Lesson Step by Step

First 5 Minutes – Give class brief introduction on trauma. Ask them what they know about trauma. Any thoughts they have on trauma.

Next 15 Minutes – Go over PowerPoint Presentation with class. Questions to ask class during presentation:

·       Can you name some emotional sides of trauma?

·       What are common physical symptoms of trauma?

·       What are some psychological disorders of trauma?

·       As a journalist, what are some traumatic events you may witness?

·       What are trauma triggers?

Next 15 Minutes – Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0UPnWfNpak.

Questions to ask class after video:

·       What are some factors that contribute to an individual’s response to trauma?

·       What are some signs and symptoms of a trauma-related disorder?

·       What are some specialized services that focus on trauma-related disorders?

·       What should you do if you feel you’re suffering from a trauma-related disorder?

 Next 10 Minutes – Brief lecture on why journalists cover trauma

·       Journalists cover everything – politics and business, environment and health, education and development, war and peace.

·       Stories about any of these topics can become controversial

·       Other kinds of stories are sensitive in a different way. Stories about sexual and gender-based violence, child soldiers, or sex trafficking, for example, are stories that require thoughtful and careful reporting and production. All stories about an ordinary person who becomes the victim of abuse require extra sensitivity, because survivors of abuse are usually survivors of a traumatic event.

·       There are many kinds of traumatic events. A terrible car crash, an earthquake, and a war can all be traumatic events.

·       Experiencing a traumatic event affects survivors in many ways. Journalists should be aware of these effects because they will also affect how journalists can work.

 Next 10 Minutes – Have students individually fill out the “Identifying Trauma” Worksheet:

Identifying Trauma Worksheet.docx

·       Have you ever covered a traumatic event (i.e., for school newspaper, etc.)? If yes, what was it?

·       Did you feel you were prepared to cover it?

·       Can you identify one story or current event in the news media that deals with trauma?

·       What is something you wish you had known about trauma before reporting on it and/or reading about it?

Next 10 Minutes – Have students get into groups of two to discuss their answers with each other

Next 5 Minutes – Have groups present their answers. This is optional

Next 5 minutes – Assign Homework

• Students have to identify one story or current event in the news media  that deals with trauma. They need to understand what can of trauma is involved in the story, and how it was presented.