The lesson plan
Access to the controversy
The lesson plan opens with a very popular German advertisement for caffeine shampoo, which explicitly describes the product in question as “doping” as if it were a positive or even praiseworthy act. At this point, the teaching unit then expands upon issue by presenting various media reports on sports doping cases found in TV reports and magazine articles. The topic’s high media presence helps to reinforce its societal relevance. A question about authority is also raised at this juncture. Thank to their media presence, most students will know some relevant persons in positions of authority such as politicians. For example, many can name can name the government minister responsible for sports, including well-known doping experts. Pupils also know about other so-called “authorities” participating in the doping debate like professional athletes, coaches, etc.