

At a Glance
Language
English — USSubject
- Civics & Citizenship
- History
- Social Studies
Grade
9–12Duration
One 50-min class period- Democracy & Civic Engagement
- Racism
Overview
About This Lesson
In September 2014, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) opened two inquiries into issues related to the shooting of Michael Brown, one focused on the shooting itself and the other on police–community relations in the city of Ferguson.
In this lesson, students review the DOJ’s findings, the complexity of the DOJ’s task, and the implications of the findings for journalists and consumers of news. Finally, students reflect on the persistent differences in understanding about the events in Ferguson and what individuals, community leaders, and journalists can do to try to bridge those gaps.
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The Importance of a Free Press
Citizen Watchdogs and the News
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