Forensic science became a popular high school course when the first CSI series hit the (no longer) small screen. The curriculum now includes topics such as crime time, post mortem patter, rigor mortis, tracking down serial killers and — who dyes that Goth girl’s hair. You know, stuff that relates to the average teen’s everyday life.
CSI is much too gory for my personal taste, but I can understand what’s at work here. Motivation is the key word. Hit the kids where they live – and where other people die? It’s all about getting students to listen, to read, to write and to use their brains, as well as other body parts belonging to fictional crime victims.
But why stop with forensics and CSI? There are plenty of other shows that could be adapted into high school courses. How about:
All in the Crime Family … (A required prerequisite for CSI forensics.) The course could be part of the career choices curriculum with topics such as Running a Family Business or Learning to Sing Sopranos; a Primer for Stool Pigeons. The show would include field trips to a topless bar, a butcher shop, a psychiatrist’s office and the local penitentiary. The complete works of Mario Puzo would be required reading.
Touring Transylvania … Fans of The Vampire Diaries would love to get their teeth into this social studies elective with weekly shows such as, Dracula: Anti-Hero or Fly By Night? Where to Find the Best Stakes in Town, and Walk Softly and Carry a Big Bat. The popular TV series Red Bloods, starring Tomb Selleck and Donnie Wahlbite, would be required viewing. Those who complete the course would be guaranteed an “A” or an “O” depending on blood type.
Game of Drones … This beginners’ course for young politicians is supposedly based on the Big Bang Theory but often misses the mark. Chances that it will be renewed next semester are pretty slim.
Other possibilities for TV-related courses are Empire (the 2015 World Series), Orange is the New Black (everything you wanted to know about home shopping shows), All About Hillary Clinton (aka Xena the Warrior Princess) and American Horror Story (starring the Kardashians.)
I could go on, but thankfully, I won’t. And BTW, you’re welcome!
©2015 Harriet Posnak Lesser
You May Also Like:
You Know You’re Getting Older When … by Harriet Posnak Lesser
I Tried It! Anti-Aging Red Light Therapy Mask
What I Learned from TV Commercials by Harriet Posnak Lesser
