The Danger of a Single Story: Viewing Guide
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT 1200 / LESSON 1.1ACTIVITY THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY: VIEWING GUIDE1Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “The Danger of aSingle Story: Viewing Guide”, OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/PurposeDevelop your understanding of identity, power, stereotypes, and storytelling with a close analysis of the video The Dangerof a Single Story. Note:This video is longer than others in this course, so we’ve broken it into three parts. Review the questions before each part, and if you can, discuss with a partner or your class. Key Information•Identity: The things that make up who a person is.•Power: The ability to control or influence others.ProcessPart 1: The Stories We Consume1.Make a list of books, movies, or media you “consumed” as a kid.
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 1.1ACTIVITY THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY: VIEWING GUIDE22.If you can, compare your list to a partner’s. Review your answers above,and think about thesequestions:•What people or cultures were most represented?•Which were represented the least, or were missingaltogether?•How do you think this affects the way we see the world and the people in it now?3.Watch 00:01–02:36of the video. As you’re watching, think about thesequestions:•What do stereotypes have to do with identity?•What do stereotypes have to do with power?4.Now, respond to the following questions: •How did the books Adichie grew up with affect her view of the world? •How did the books she read affect Adichie’s identity, or view of herself?
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 1.1ACTIVITY THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY: VIEWING GUIDE3•Inwhat sense did those storytellers hold power?Part 2: Identifying Stereotypes in Stories1.Now,watch from 02:36–08:27,and then write down any stereotypes Adichietalks about. 2.If you can, turn and talk with a partner. Share each stereotype that you and your partner listed. For each one, discuss how each stereotype relates to identity, power, or both.
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 1.1ACTIVITY THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY: VIEWING GUIDE4Part 3: Expanding Narratives andChallenging Single Stories1.Considerthis quote from the next segment of Adichie’s talk:“The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue but that theyare incomplete.” •What doyou think Adichie meant by this? •What experiences in her lifeupholdher claim?
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 1.1ACTIVITY THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY: VIEWING GUIDE52.Watch theremainderof Adichie’s talk (start at 8:27). As you watch,think more about the quote in the previous step. List some of the examples Adichiegives of stories that challengestereotypes.3.Take a few minutes to reflect on the video as a whole. Respond to thisprompt: What is the significance of Chimamanda Adichie’s choice of titlefor this TED Talk—“The Danger of a Single Story”? In your response, be sure to include your ideas about identityand powerfrom today’s discussion.4.Why does this video belong ina worldhistory course?
WORLDHISTORY PROJECT 1200/ LESSON 1.1ACTIVITY THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY: VIEWING GUIDE65.What are some wayswe can work to challenge stereotypes and avoid single stories?