Critical Theory Lesson Plan for 12th Grade Example Students

Topic: Critical Theory

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to define critical theory and give examples of different types of critical theory, including Marxist theory, feminist theory, post-colonial theory, Freudian theory etc.
• Students will be able to analyse a text using critical theory, and provide a well-supported argument for their analysis.

Materials

• Texts or excerpts of texts that can be analysed using critical theory (e.g. a work of literature, a piece of art, a song, a film etc.)
• Handouts with definitions and examples of different types of critical theory
• Writing materials

Warm-Up

• Begin the lesson by asking students to think about a piece of art or a work of literature that they find interesting or challenging.
• Have them spend a few minutes writing down their thoughts about the art or literature, and any questions they have about it.
• After a few minutes, have a small number of students share their thoughts and questions with the class.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of critical theory, and explain that it is a way of thinking about and analysing art, literature, and culture.
• Discuss the different types of critical theory that might be used to analyse literature, such as Marxist theory, feminist theory, post-colonial theory, Freudian theory, etc.
• Give examples of how each type of critical theory might be used to analyse a piece of literature.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a piece of literature to analyse using critical theory.
• Have students use their chosen type of critical theory to analyze the piece of literature and present their findings to the class.
• As a class, discuss the different ways in which the chosen type of critical theory can be used to analyse literature.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one type of critical theory that they wish to research further.
• Have students use their chosen type of critical theory to analyse at least two different pieces of literature.
• Have students create a presentation or essay to present their findings to the class.

Closure:

• Review the different types of critical theory that were discussed in the lesson.
• Ask students to reflect on what they found most interesting or challenging about using critical theory to analyse literature.

Assessment:

• Formative assessment can be through observation during the guided practice activity and through the individual presentations during independent practice.
• Summarise class feedback in a feedback session or written feedback.