Discussion-activity: 'Survivor' stakes

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1. What was the objective of the reality TV show "Survivor"? How could a contestant win the first prize of $1 million? Where was the "Survivor" island located?

2. Who was the first to be voted off the island? How did contestants win immunity from being voted off the island? How were the final four contestants able to protect themselves from being voted off the island? Do you think their methods were fair?

3. Discuss the comment from winner Richard Hatch, in which he says to the tribal council, "Instead of who's the better person, it is about who played the game better." What do you think he meant? Do you think that Richard played the game better? Would you play the game the same way Richard did? Explain your answers. How do you think Kelly Wiglesworth could have played the game better?

4. Discuss the values that are challenged when people behave as the contestants did to win money. What, if anything, is compromised? Ask students if any of their values would be compromised had they been among the contestants. Then direct students to create their own "Survivor" contest. They must first select the objective and rules of the game. Then they must decide how contestants will be selected and how the person will win. If they found that the television series created situations they felt were unethical, challenge them to create a game that would promote positive values.