Sun City: Creativity and Collaboration for Change
How can music and art inspire people to take a stand against injustice?
How to Use This Lesson
This is a Harmony Student Wellness lesson, a week-long, music-centered social-emotional learning lesson designed to be taught across multiple sessions, culminating in an arts-based project. This lesson can be taught in isolation or as part of the larger Harmony Student Wellness program. For more support on implementation, see the Implementation Guide on the program page.
Essential Question
How can music and art inspire people to take a stand against injustice?
Objectives
Mastery Objective
- Students will be able to recognize how art can can be vehicle for social change by exploring how “Sun City” contributed to the end of apartheid in South Africa.
Day 1 - Students will:
- Listen to “Sun City” by Artists United Against Apartheid
- Learn what apartheid was in South Africa
- Learn how a group of artists took a stand against apartheid
Day 2 - Students will:
- Watch a clip of Steven Van Zandt on The Phil Donahue Show
- Learn about the conditions of South Africa during apartheid
- Hear and analyze an argument against apartheid policies
Day 3 - Students will:
- Watch a clip of Steven Van Zandt discussing his experience visiting South Africa
- Learn about strategies used by organizations and individuals to stand against injustices
- Consider the role that “Sun City” played in taking a stand against apartheid
Day 4 - Students will:
- Watch a clip of Steven Van Zandt discussing the purpose of “Sun City”
- Learn about the end of apartheid policies in South Africa
- Consider connections between apartheid South Africa and other issues occurring around the world
Arts-Based Activity - Students will:
- Reflect on how art can be used to stand up against injustices and spark change
- Identify a social issue they care about and create either an activism poster or graphic novel to inspire others to take action and solve the problem.
Background
In this lesson, students will explore how music has been used as a tool for social change by learning about apartheid in South Africa and the song “Sun City” by Steven Van Zandt and Artists United Against Apartheid. Students will learn about the conditions of Apartheid South Africa through informational slides and media clips. Then, they will learn about strategies used to stop injustices and understand the role that “Sun City” played. Finally, students will identify a social issue they care about and create either an activism poster or graphic novel to inspire others to take action and solve the problem.
Materials
Required for all lessons:
- Student Journals
- Art Supplies
Arts-Based Activity:
*optional