This article offers an instructive proposition in using the Destin Daniel Cretton’s film ‘Just Mercy’ (2019) to teach about the death penalty, a topic that has produced endless debate not only in the framework of prisons, prisoners and punishment but in the legal arena - about the legitimacy of death penalty, thus making it an exciting topic in civic education. It is largely recognized that films can aid students in the illustration of contentious topics. They can be powerful and practical instruments if used carefully and appropriately. In this day and age, students are used to learning through media like television and films. Teachers should be mindful of the new visual incentive even though books and text are still crucial for learning. Students are familiar to seeing films in their daily life. Will the film take the place of the book? Not ever. However, using a film can improve the learning environment by putting the student in a familiar setting.

Teaching and learning about genocides provide an essential opportunity to inspire critical thinking, societal awareness, and personal growth. Students need to know the history of genocides to understand where unchecked discrimination and prejudice can lead. But more importantly, they need to be able to act when they recognize warning signs. This knowledge can prompt students to develop an understanding of the mechanisms and processes that lead to genocide, in turn leading to reflection on the importance of the rule of law and democratic foundations.

Movies are a source of entertainment and language acquisition. For this reason, many ESL teachers prefer to watch the movie adaptations of famous and current novels as a supplementary source to the reading. Practice has shown that reading an entire book can be tiresome and boring while an audio-visual experience can be more entertaining and engaging to students.

This article offers a pedagogical suggestion in using the Barry Levinson’s film Wag the Dog (1997) to teach about media and politics in civic education. It is appropriate for high school and university students. Movies can help make abstract political concepts more concrete; they raise a number of applicable themes that teachers can explore. When used carefully and properly, they can be effective and useful tools. In this day and age, students have become accustomed to attaining knowledge through mediums such as television and movies. Though books and text are still essential in learning, teachers should take notice of the new visual motivation. Movies are familiar in the everyday lives of students. Will the movie replace the textbook? Never. But the use of film can enhance the learning environment by placing the student in an acquainted ground, the movie theater.