JKF - The Story That Won't Go Away (Study Guide)

The release of Oliver Stone's film at the beginning of a new school year comes at an opportune time for Media, English, History and Politics teachers seeking to engage their senior students in debate and argument about issues which have both a contemporary and enduring interest. This guide suggests ways in which teachers might extend their students capacity to think and write critically and creatively. The film will challenge them to listen carefully and analyse information, and it is certain to stimulate lively debate. Because it is of broad relevance dealing with matters of narrative, text, history, power, justice, the pursuit of truth and the responsibilities of the individual in society, JFK is certain to provide a valuable sounding board when used with other texts under study. For most students JFKs assassination is ancient history, and the films rapid pace, the large number of characters, and its weighty supply of information demand concentration. In a film that has generated controversy students will grapple with terms such as 'hypothesis', 'speculation', 'fact' and 'conclusion'.