conspiracy theories

THEMATIQUE : REPRESENTATIONS AXE 2= INFORMER , S'INFORMER.

Disinformation & conspiracy theories

index

03

6 dead people theories say are alive

02

The History of conspiracy theories

01

The Flat Earth society

04

The Insider

06

Deep fakes

05

The da vinci code

09

08

Murder attempt on Trump

Extraterrestrials are among us

07

Anti vaxxers

12

11

Causes

Cancel culture

10

Book bans

15

14

Close

Contextualize your topic.

Conclusions

Contextualize your topic

13

Interactive question

Contextualize your topic

VersionGreta Thunberg’s speech was heard by millions of people around the world. Le discours de Greta Thunberg a été entendu par des millions de personnes à travers le monde. The demonstration organized by Emma Gonzales convinced politicians to debate gun laws. La manifestation organisée par Emma Gonzales a convaincu les politiciens de débattre des lois sur les armes à feu. Sonita Alizadeh created a song to argue against child marriage, which went viral. Sonita Alizadeh a créé une chanson pour dénoncer / s’opposer au mariage des enfants, qui est devenue virale. A documentary about Lessein Mutunkei’s tree-planting initiative was awarded a prize. Un documentaire sur l’initiative de planter des arbres de Lessein Mutunkei a reçu un prix. Millie Bobby Brown’s role as a UNICEF representative helps promote children’s rights. Le rôle de Millie Bobby Brown en tant que représentante de l'UNICEF aide à promouvoir les droits des enfants.

Thème Le parlement a été impressionné par le message de Greta Thunberg. The parliament was impressed by Greta Thunberg's message. Emma Gonzales a été harcelée en ligne après avoir parlé contre les armes à feu. Emma Gonzales was harassed / bullied online after speaking out against firearms. Le mariage des enfants est une pratique qui est largement critiquée pour les souffrances qu’elle cause. Child marriage is a practice that is widely criticized for the suffering it causes. Lessein Mutunkei plante un arbre à chaque fois qu’il marque un but. Lessein Mutunkei plants a tree every time he scores a goal. Sonita Alizadeh a fondé une organisation pour aider les jeunes filles à devenir autonomes. Sonita Alizadeh founded an organization to help young girls become independent.

WHAT IS A CONSPIRACY THEORY ?CAN YOU GIVE EXAMPLES IN RECENT HISTORY ?

Sections like this will help you get organized

FLAT EARTHERS

A growing comunity

What do you see in these pictures? What stands out to you? Who first stated that the Earth is round? What evidence do we have that the Earth is ra sphere? Can you think of any examples? Why do you think some people might believe the Earth is flat? Have you ever heard about flat earthers? What do you know about them?

THE FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

abc news - inside a Flat Earth convention

II Open -ended Questionnaire 1. What is the main purpose of the Flat Earth International Conference, according to the report? 2. What does Mark Sargent mean when he says he "walked up to a door and pointed at it"? 3. Why does Kimberly describe herself as “still in the closet” about her flat Earth beliefs? 4. What role do musicians and influencers play in spreading the Flat Earth theory? 5. What examples of simple scientific facts are given to explain the flat earthers’ skepticism of traditional science? 6. Why do some flat earthers reject the idea of a spinning globe based on what the Bible says? 7. What is the flat earthers’ critique of the photographs taken of Earth from space? 8. How does Professor Mike Massimino counter the flat earthers’ claims? 9. What is the purpose of experiments like Darryl Marble’s flight test? 10. What argument do flat earthers use to encourage people to question their own beliefs?

Select 4 words from the list .Write a short, meaningful sentence for each word. Pronounce the sentence aloud, focusing on the correct pronunciation of the word.

How do we know the earth is round ?

Satellite imagery: Satellites capture images of the Earth from space, showing its curved shape. Gravity: The different gravitational pull on objects in different locations supports a round Earth. Horizon distortion: The curved horizon seen from ships and airplanes confirms a round shape. Eclipse and lunar phases: Observers inferred the Earth's spherical shape as it cast a curved shadow on the Moon during lunar eclipses. With the advent of aviation, photographers could record the Earth's curvature from altitudes.

Create a Radio Debate 1) Set the Scene: Imagine a live radio show discussing the topic of Flat Earth theories. Some guests are flat earthers, while others are scientists .There are curious listeners. 2) Divide the Roles: Flat earthers: Defend their beliefs using arguments from the report and the vocabulary words. Scientists: Provide evidence to counter the flat earthers, also using vocabulary words. Radio host: Moderate the debate, ask questions, and manage time. Audience members: Ask challenging or humorous questions to keep the discussion lively. 3) The Debate: The radio host starts the show with an opening statement (e.g., “Today, we’ll explore the controversial topic of flat Earth theories with special guests!”). Guests take turns presenting their arguments and responding to questions. The audience members join in toward the end with their own questions or comments. 4) Wrap-Up: After the debate, the radio host summarizes the discussion,and invites the "listeners" to form their opinions. => record an audio file

The History of conspiracy theories

The History of conspiracy theories

What is Pizzagate? A conspiracy theory where people believed people like Hilary Clinton were involved in pedophilia , satanic rituals and cannibalism based on cryptic emails from a Pizzeria .

The History of conspiracy theories

The year Pizzagate went viral : 2016 - during the US presidential election.

The History of conspiracy theories

Are conspiracy theories modern or ancient? What evidence supports this ? Conspiracy theories are ancient. The documentary mentions that they have been around as long as humans and highlights examples from the Middle Ages.

The History of conspiracy theories

First major conspiracy theory discussed: Anti-Judaism conspiracy theory, including the belief that Jews conspired with the devil to regain the Holy Land.

The History of conspiracy theories

Who was the main villain in Middle Ages conspiracy theories? The devil himself.

The History of conspiracy theories

Details of the anti-Judaism conspiracy theory: It claimed that Jews conspired with the devil, sacrificing a Christian child every year at Easter, in exchange for regaining Jerusalem.

The History of conspiracy theories

Name of the monarch who developed a conspiracy theory: King Philip IV (Philip the Fair) of France.

The History of conspiracy theories

Details of the conspiracy against the Templars: King Philip IV accused the Templars of heresy, sorcery, and Satan worship. In 1307, he ordered a mass arrest of the Templars to eliminate them.

The History of conspiracy theories

A group from the French Revolution linked to conspiracy theories: The Jacobins.

The History of conspiracy theories

How the Jacobins used conspiracy theories: The Jacobins claimed their opponents were linked to foreign governments and counterrevolutionaries .It was a strategy to delegitimize and eliminate rivals .

The History of conspiracy theories

Definition of modern conspiracy theories: They suggest that corrupt elites do not reflect the people’s true feelings and are actively working against their interests.

The History of conspiracy theories

Example of a modern leader using conspiracy theories : Joseph Stalin blamed the starvation in Ukraine on sabotage and the wealthy farmers, to shift blame/ not to be held responsible for the famine.

The History of conspiracy theories

do the crossword

6 Famous Dead People That Conspiracy Theories Say Are Alive

6 Famous Dead People That Conspiracy Theories Say Are Alive

IF CLAUSES

1.Zero Conditional Usage : pour exprimer des faits généraux, des vérités universelles ou des résultats systématiques. Structure : If + présent simple, présent simple Exemples : If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.// If people don’t sleep enough, they feel tired. 2. First Conditional Usage :pour parler d’une situation future possible et de son résultat probable. Structure : If + présent simple, will + base verbale Exemples : If it rains tomorrow, we’ll stay home. // If you study hard, you’ll pass the exam. 3. Second Conditional Usage : pour exprimer une situation hypothétique ou irréaliste dans le présent ou le futur. Structure : If + prétérit, would + base verbale Exemples : If I were rich, I would travel the world.// If he studied more, he would get better grades. 4. Third Conditional Usage : pour parler d’un événement passé qui ne s’est pas produit et imaginer un résultat différent. Structure : If + past perfect, would have + participe passé Exemples : If she had left earlier, she would have caught the train. // If they had known, they would have helped.

Grammar Exercise: Conditional Clauses Instructions: Complete the sentences below by conjugating the verbs in parentheses into the correct form. Use the appropriate type of conditional clause (zero, first, second, or third). If Elvis Presley _____ (be) alive today, he _________ (celebrate) his 90th birthday. Michael Jackson ________ (not fake) his death if he __________ (trust) his fans more. If people __________ (believe) the conspiracy theories about Tupac Shakur, they ____________ (be) easily convinced by online rumors. Princess Diana ___________ (survive) the car crash if she __________ (wear) a seatbelt. If Marilyn Monroe ___________ (fake) her death, where do you think she ________ (live) now? Conspiracy theories ________ (spread) faster if social media ________ (exist) in the 1990s. If Kurt Cobain _______________ (not die), Nirvana ____________ (release) more albums. Some fans claim that if Amy Winehouse ____________ (change) her lifestyle, she _________ (not pass away) so young. If social media _________ (be) more regulated, these conspiracy theories __________ (not gain) so much traction. John Lennon’s death ___________ (be) prevented if stricter gun laws ___________ (exist) in the 1980s.

Famous Dead People That Conspiracy Theories Say Are Alive

Pair work : Do some research on a conspiracy theory involving a deceased famous person of your choice : Tupak Shakur , Adolf Hitler , Steve Jobs , Jeffrey Epstein , Osama Bin Laden , Jim Morrison , Andy Kaufman , Kurt Cobain , Amelia Earhart , Bruce Lee , Jesse James , Amy Winehouse , John Lennon (--) Then report to the class !

The Insider (1999)

Visual accompaniment convinces 67% of your class.

1) Match the characters with the film stars: • Robert Langdon → Tom Hanks • Jacques Saunière → Jean-Pierre Marielle • Sophie Neveu → Audrey Tautou • Sir Leigh Teabing → Ian McKellen • Bezu Fache → Jean Reno • Silas → Paul Bettany • Manuel Aringarosa → Alfred Molina • André Vernet → Jürgen Prochnow

The Da Vinci Code

2) Match the characters to the descriptions: 1. An albino monk of Opus Dei → Silas 2. An American symbology expert who teaches at Harvard University → Robert Langdon 3. President of the Paris Branch of the Bank of Zurich → André Vernet 4. The curator of the Louvre museum. His murder sets off the chain of events that take place in the story. → Jacques Saunière 5. Bishop of Opus Dei. He is conservative in his religious views and longs for the Church to return to strict ways. → Manuel Aringarosa 6. A French cryptologist and government agent. → Sophie Neveu 7. An extremely wealthy man, a Royal historian, and Holy Grail fanatic. He’s crippled from polio. → Sir Leigh Teabing 8. The Captain of the French Judicial Police, nicknamed “the bull.” He is strong-willed and religious. → Bezu Fache

3) Vocabulary from the film plot: 1. Pentacle → A five-pointed star often associated with mystical or esoteric meanings. 2. Vitrubian Man → A famous drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, depicting the ideal human proportions. 3. Fibonacci sequence → A mathematical sequence where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. 4. Anagrams → Words or phrases formed by rearranging the letters of other words or phrases. 5. Priory of Sion → A fictional secret society in the film, purported to protect ancient truths. 6. Labyrinthine → Complex or intricate, like a maze. 7. Faceless powerbroker → A mysterious, influential person whose identity is unknown.

4) Definitions: a. Cryptex → A portable vault used to hide and protect secrets, often requiring a code to open. b. The Holy Grail → A legendary relic believed to be the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, symbolizing divine mystery. c. Knights Templar → A medieval Christian military order rumored to protect sacred relics, including the Holy Grail. d. Fleur-de-lis → A stylized lily symbol, associated with French royalty and heraldry. e. Opus Dei → A Catholic organization that emphasizes spiritual dedication and discipline.

5) Unscramble the anagrams of Da Vinci’s famous paintings: a. OH, LAME SAINT → The Mona Lisa b. LET HER PASS PUT → The Last Supper c. SO DARK THE CON OF MAN → Madonna of the Rocks

6) Reviews: • For the movie: Critics often praise the film for its intriguing plot, historical references, and Tom Hanks' performance. Many viewers appreciate the puzzles and the suspenseful storytelling . • Against the movie: Some reviews criticize it for being overly complicated, historically inaccurate, or slow-paced compared to the book. There is also a religious controversy surrounding the story .

The da vinvi code : after watching activities

1. Put the events in the right order 1. Silas shoots Sauniere at the Louvre after demanding to know where the Holy Grail is. 2. Before dying, Sauniere leaves some codes in order to pass on his important secret. 3. After finishing his conference, Robert Langdon is asked to go to the Louvre to interpret the scene of the crime. 4. Langdon arrives at the Louvre, meets Captain Fache, sees Sauniere’s body, and meets Sophie Neveu. 5. Langdon follows Sophie’s instructions and meets her in the restroom where she explains that he is a suspect of the crime and has a tracking device in his pocket. 6. After decoding Sauniere’s messages and finding a key, Langdon and Sophie escape from the Louvre. 7. Silas follows Sauniere’s clues to the keystone location in the church of Saint-Sulpice, where he discovers he’s been tricked, killing Sister Sandrine.

2. What do these anagrams, puzzles, and phrases mean? • O Draconian Devil → "Leonardo Da Vinci" • So dark the con of man → Madonna of the rocks ( painting by LDV)) • PS Find Robert Langdon →" Princess Sophie" should seek Langdon's help. • Oh Lime Saint → "The Mona Lisa."

Puzzles and phrases: • In London lies a knight a pope interred (à londres git un chevalier qu'A Pope a enterré) → Isaac Newton's tomb in Westminster Abbey. • The Holy Grail neath ancient Roslin waits ( le saint graal sous l'ancienne Roslin attend) → the Grail is hidden at Rosslyn Chapel. • His labour’s fruit a holy wrath incurred ( le fruit de son travail a provoqué une sainte colère) → historical Church persecution over truths. • The blade and chalice guarding over her gates ( la lame et le calice gardent ses portes) → the male and female, representing balance. • Seek the orb that art above his tomb ( recherche l'orbe -globe- qui est au dessus de sa tombe) → the orb on Newton’s tomb in Westminster Abbey. • It speaks of rosy flesh and seeded womb ( it parle de chair rosée et de ventre germé)→ femininity / the secret of Mary Magdalene. • She rests at last beneath the starry skies ( elle repose enfin sous les cieux étoilés) → Mary Magdalene’s tomb.

3. Match these according to the story: a. A pentacle → A pagan religious icon, a symbol of Venus. It represents the female half of everything. b. The Priory of Sion → One of the world’s oldest and most secret societies, the guardians of the Holy Grail. c. The rose → A symbol for the Holy Grail. d. The fleur-de-lis → The crest of the Priory of Sion. e. ▼ → The female symbol. It’s a CHALICE and resembles a cup or vessel. f. ▲ → The symbol of man, the original icon for male known as the BLADE. It represents aggression and virility

4. Answer a. Behind Da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks, Sophie and Robert find a hidden key. b. They need Sauniere’s account number to open the lock box at the bank. If they fail, the box will self-destruct. c. Inside the lock box is the keystone, a cylindrical device containing a hidden map. Inside the keystone are further clues leading to the Grail. d. They escape from the bank in an armored truck, evading police and trackers. e. Teabing’s three questions: . • Question: "Should I serve tea or coffee ?" Answer: "Tea of course !." • Question: "with milk or lemon ?" Answer: "It depends on the tea." • Question: "What year did Harvard beat Oxford in a rowing contest ?" Answer: "Such a thing is inconceivable."

5. What happens to these characters at the end of the story? • Sir Leigh Teabing → Revealed as the antagonist and arrested for his crimes. • Sophie → Discovers she is a descendant of Mary Magdalene. • Robert → Continues his work, deeply impacted by the revelations. • Silas → Dies tragically after being manipulated by Teabing. • Bishop Aringarosa → Survives but is arrested by Fache , who finally understood he had been manipulated.

6. Who says this? a. “Is it a secret you would die for?” → Silas to Sauniere, about the Holy Grail. b. “In the sacristy of Saint-Sulpice is the rose line, under the rose.” → Sister Sandrine to Silas, referring to the Grail clue. c. “A picture says a thousand words.” → Teabing to Sophie and Robert, about Da Vinci's works. d. “Symbols are a language that can help us understand our past.” → Robert Langdon, in a lecture. e. “A scar in the face of Paris.” → Fache to Langdon, about the Louvre pyramid. f. “Apparently it was his dying wish that we met.” → Sophie to Langdon, referring to Sauniere’s message. g. “I’m into something here that I cannot understand, not without your help.” → Langdon to Sophie. h. “There are always four – the grand master and three sénéchaux.” → Teabing, about the Priory of Sion. i. “Who is god and who is man? How many have been murdered over this question?” → Teabing, about religious conflicts. j. “As long as there has been one true God, there has been killing in his name.” → Teabing, criticizing historical violence. k. “You’re saying that the Holy Grail is a person, a woman?” → Sophie to Teabing, about Mary Magdalene. l. “The mind chooses what it wants to see.” → Langdon to Sophie, about perception. m. “Just because Da Vinci painted it, doesn’t make it true.” → Sophie to Langdon. n. “He, who holds the keys to Heaven, rules the world.” → Teabing, discussing religious power. o. “Only the worthy can unlock the stone.” → Teabing, about the keystone puzzle. p. “We are in the middle of a war, and one that’s been going on forever.” → Teabing, about the Grail conflict. q. “They are not tombs. They are effigies.” → Langdon, about the Westminster Abbey statues. r. “Like your grandfather then, willing to die for your secret.” → Langdon to Sophie. s. “I think I know where she is. I think the Grail has gone home.” → Langdon, referring to Rosslyn Chapel.

7. Complete with the words in the box: It all started more than a thousand years ago when a French king conquered the holy city of Jerusalem. This crusade was secretly orchestrated by a secret brotherhood: the Priory of Sion and their military arm, the Knights Templar. Supposedly the invasion was to find an artifact lost since the time of Christ, an artifact the church would kill to possess. Did they find this buried treasure? One day the Templars simply stopped searching. They quit the holy land and traveled directly to Rome. They either blackmailed the papacy or the church bought their silence, no one knows, but it’s a fact that the papacy declared these knights of limitless power. At the beginning of the 14th century, the Templars had become too powerful, so the papacy declared they were devil worshippers, and they were almost exterminated. The date was October 13th, 1307, a Friday. The pope sent troops to claim the Priory’s treasure, but they found nothing – the few surviving knights had vanished. And the search for the secret artifact began again. This artifact is known as the Holy Grail.

There was a war between pagans and Christians. The conflict grew to such proportions that it threatened to tear Rome in two. In 325 A.D., the pagan emperor Constantine decided to unify Rome under one single religion: Christianity. And to strengthen this new Christian tradition, he held the famous ecumenical gathering known as the Council of Nicaea. Here they debated and voted on everything, most importantly, the immortality of Jesus. The Holy Grail has never been a cup. The Grail is an ancient symbol of womanhood, and in this case, a woman who kept a secret so powerful that, if revealed, it would devastate the very foundations of Christianity. When the legend speaks of the chalice that held the blood of Christ, it speaks, in fact, of the female womb that carried Jesus’s royal bloodline. The Priory of Sion are the protectors of the living descendants of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene.

Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, is called to the Louvre Museum where Saunieres , the curator has been murdered. A couple of hours later, Langdon is suspected and teams up with Sophie Neveu to decipher clues leading to a secret .Indeed, Over the past centuries, the Priory of Sion has protected the truth about the Holy Grail, Mary Magdelene. The clues lead them to Westminster Abbey .In the meantime, Silas, a monk working for the Opus Dei , tries to stop them. On one occasion, they nearly lose their lives, but during the course of their quest, they manage to reveal the secret about Jesus'bloodline. No sooner have Langdon and Sophie uncovered the truth than they realize the danger it posed... Sophie, who used to believe the Grail was just a legend, now knows the truth: she is a descendant of Jesus . From now on, their lives will never be the same.

Secret societies and Conspiracy groups

Analyze the provided documents in pairs and present your findings to the class ! Make the difference between Evidence and Speculation - Use the vocabulary list ( Lies, falsification and conspiracy ). Finally , tell us what you think !

Secret societies and Conspiracy groups

used to + v ( habits in the past)/ be used to + V-ing ( be accustomed to)

1. The members of Majestic 12 _______________________ (hold) secret meetings to discuss alleged extraterrestrial activity. 2. People who believe in the Illuminati ____________________ (hear) about their supposed influence over governments. 3. It is said that members of the Skull and Bones ___________________ (perform) strange initiation rituals . 4. Historians _______________________________ (debate) the authenticity of documents linked to the Priory of Sion. 5. Members of the Order of the Nine Angles claim they ______________ _________ (live) outside traditional moral systems. 6. The Knight Templars ___________________ (be) a powerful and respected group during the Middle Ages. 7. High-profile attendees of the Bohemian Club _________________ (be) in the public eye, so they don’t mind being recognized. 8. Paul ___________________ (read) about conspiracy theories all the time ; now he doesn't believe in secret societies any more .

FOX NEWS did we land on the moon ?

were / would celebrate wouldn’t have faked / had trusted believe / are would have survived / had worn had faked / would live would have spread / had existed hadn’t died / would have released had changed / wouldn’t have passed away were / wouldn’t gain could have been / had existed