International Conflict and the Media

ACTIVITY 8: Images of the Gulf War



Introduction

This activity is intended as a diagnostic tool. Almost all adults have some television images of the Gulf conflict: the Scud and Patriot missiles, the bombing of Iraq, press conferences, the Iraqi hostages and prisoners, the victory marches after the war, etc. Many older students will also have television memories of the war. Some students, may have parents or relatives who were involved in the war. These students will remember the conflict without extensive prodding. This activity is especially geared for these students. It permits them to remember and begin to organize those memories. This unit will build upon those images and help students place some of them into a broader context.

Many other students, particularly those who were very young during 1990-91, may have little or no recall of any of the events surrounding the war. This activity should probably not be used with these students.

Student Objectives

Time

20 minutes to 1 class period

Materials

Poster paper and markers or a chalkboard

Recommended Procedures

  1. Ask the students if they remember the Gulf War. For older students, this question will be enough to elicit numerous comments of buildings blowing up, etc. If the students are hazy about the conflict, offer some factual information in hopes of encouraging discussion. One student's memories and images will often elicit other students to join in the discussion. Let the students offer images in whatever order they have them and attempt to place no positive or negative evaluation on their comments as they are raised. There will be several opportunities to evaluate these images as the unit progresses. If the students repeat the same recollection offered previously, accept it without comment and add it to the list.
  2. Write a brief summary of their statements down on the poster paper or chalkboard.
  3. After the students have finished, try to organize the comments into the following categories:

    4. Causes of the Gulf War

    Incidents and Events in the War (Most images will appear here.)

    Consequences of the Gulf War

    Sources of Information about the Gulf War

    Actors

    Motivations and Expectations

  4. Probe further. Ask the students why they think the war began. List their responses under Causes of the Gulf War.
  5. Ask the students what were the consequences of the war. Add their responses to the category Consequences of the Gulf War.
  6. Finally, ask students how they know about the Gulf War. Most will respond that they saw it on television. Some will report that they read about it in newspapers or magazines. Other students might remember their parents, friends or teachers discussing the war. List their responses under the category, Sources of Information about the War.
  7. Save the poster sheets. If you have used a chalkboard, copy them and save them for use in Activity 14.

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