WEB QUEST

 

INTRODUCTION: 

 

The Miriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines “censor” as, “to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable.”  During the Qin (Chin) Dynasty (221-207 B.C.), Emperor Qin ordered the burning of all books and literature, pertaining to the teachings of Confucius, along with anything that did not involve science, math, oracle readings, or his personal history.  It was one of the first recorded accounts of censorship.  It has continued throughout world history, banning, challenging and eliminating information that is considered offensive or dangerous.  Literature, media coverage, speech, music, art, and even personal freedoms have been affected by censorship.

 

TASK: 

 

Explore literature that has been banned in the past, as well as discovering the reasons why literature gets banned.  Despite your personal feelings, approach every side of the issue critically.  Record your findings in a one to two page paper.  Then, based on your own reflections present your case to your class mates, acting as the school board, where you will either attempt to overturn or uphold the status of a banned book. 

 

PROCESS: 

 

  1. Answer the following questions:  Why are books banned?  Who bans books?  What happens when a book is banned?  What is the difference between a challenge and a ban?  http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challeng.html

 

  1. Select a book from the Banned Book List:  http://www.ala.org/bbooks/top100bannedbooks.html

 

  1. When and why was this book banned or challenged?  Do you agree with the reasoning?  What in this particular time period would be perceived as dangerous in the book’s content?  http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/banned-books.html; http://7-12educators.about.com/cs/bannedbooks/; http://www-mitpress.mit.edu/bookstore/banned.html

 

  1. Refer to above websites to answer the following questions:  When is censorship appropriate?  What are some common themes among banned books?  How does your book fit into these themes?  Why do you think these themes are considered offensive?  Why do certain governments, organizations, or individuals wish to screen others from these themes?  Should anyone be allowed to possess that type of power—to decide what others can or cannot read and consume?  If so, who is eligible to receive such power? 

 

EVALUATION: 

 

Having compiled and thoroughly researched your specific book and the issue of censorship in general, synthesize your findings into an intelligent argument, which you will present to the class, acting as the school board.  Your presentation should convey a convincing argument for or against banning the book, relying on your answers from the above questions.  Grades will be based on effort, creativity, and development of the argument.

 

CONCLUSION:

 

 By examining a banned book you have discovered the reasons why censorship exists, and you have formed your own opinions regarding the subject.  Through the work you did for your presentation, you have learned how to process and analyze information from several sides of an issue.