For a second year, New York City’s flagship public television station, Thirteen/WNET, is offering a FREE Education Package that includes five extraordinary programs from Wide Angle, the award-winning international documentary series. Available in November, the Wide Angle education package includes five complete programs on DVD and a 24-page Discussion Guide with insightful essays, discussion topics and suggested resources. The materials will enrich courses in international relations, economics, political science, and journalism, among others. Last year’s Wide Angle education package recently won a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers.

The Wide Angle Education Package was developed with the support of the Ford Foundation, and with additional support from The Overbrook Foundation.

PROGRAMS INCLUDED IN THE NEW PACKAGE

EXCLUSIVE TO AL-JAZEERA goes behind the scenes of the broadcast headquarters of the first Arabic all news network during its nonstop coverage of the recent war in Iraq. It reveals the network’s similarities to its Western media counterparts – and the differences.

AIDS WARRIORS explores the role of the Angolan military, the only functioning arm of the state, in its bold attempt to combat the AIDS pandemic. The challenges it faces offer an arresting portrait of a nation at a crucial moment in history.

COCA AND THE CONGRESSMAN profiles Bolivian Congressman and “cocalero” leader Evo Morales and explores the growing political power of Bolivia’s indigenous people. The pitfalls of a drug-based economy – and the difficulty of finding suitable replacement crops to support peasant families – are all part of the story.

TIME FOR SCHOOL profiles children in Japan, Kenya, Benin, Brazil, Romania, India, and Afghanistan who have managed to enroll in the first year of primary school – in most cases despite great odds. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of children with very different personalities, in diverse circumstances and countries, all taking a hopeful first step into an uncertain future.

DYING TO LEAVE examines the current worldwide boom in illicit migration. Focusing on the stories of five people whose journeys traverse 16 different countries, this documentary explores what drove these migrants from their homes, describes their epic journeys and reveals the global economic trends that propel this human traffic.

E-MAIL YOUR REQUEST

A limited number of FREE Wide Angle Season Two Education Packages are available, to be shipped in November 2004.

Please email your request to: guiderequest@thirteen.org

Please include your name, institution, course(s) the materials will be used in, mailing address, and e-mail address. Thank you for bringing Wide Angle into your classroom.