Saturday 25 November 2017

FOR WEDNESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER

This is more of a reminder:

1/ You must have read the two Gauntlett chapters on representations of gender (past and today) and bring the notes you have made.

You will have some questions to answer at the start of the lesson to check you have done the reading then we will spend some time consolidating your understanding.

2/ You must have read the chapter on Feminism and Gender. Again, we will check your understanding.

3/ You should re-watch the video on Van Zoonen and bell hooks. Find further reading / videos / information on these two writers to complement your knowledge. Share your sources with us next lesson.




Tuesday 14 November 2017

Wednesday 15th November: Exam-type comparative question (Period 3)


A Level Media Studies – Component 1 Section A, Question 1 (Representation)



Compare how audiences are positioned by the representations in this WaterAid advertisement and the WaterAid advertisement you have studied (set text).


 In your answer you must:

-          consider how the representations construct versions of reality 

-          consider the similarities and differences in how audiences are positioned by the representations

-          make judgements and draw conclusions about how far the representations relate to relevant media contexts and debates.

 [30 marks]





Wednesday 8 November 2017

Wednesday 8th November - Resources in preparation for next lesson:

1. Add to / improve / start again: your analysis of the Tide advert set text.


If you have handed in what you wrote today, I will get it back to you before the weekend.


2. a/ Look at the WaterAid advert below (set text) and make notes using the theoretical framework:




b/ Look at and make notes on the advert below, also from WaterAid:

Another WaterAid advert can be found below; it deploys a different strategy. Watch it and, if you can, watch other ones from different campaigns though the years to gain some understanding of WaterAid advertising strategies:




PLEASE BRING YOUR NOTES TO THE LESSON NEXT WEEK.


If you want to get ahead, write a comparative essay focusing on the set text and another advert, exploring narratives and representations created in the adverts.


To put things in perspective - and think about different readings of these adverts - please have a look at these parodies... They make the point beautifully and in a funny way:



Now dust off your post-colonialist readings of the texts above!



And for a bit of light relief... Here's Trevor Noah's spoof:







3. Read Chapter 4 from Gauntlett distributed in class. Spread out the reading if necessary. Aim for a side of notes and bring to class next week.


4. Ahead of next week, you might also want to prepare by watching the video below (feminist theorists) and reading the (very brief) article linked here too:
A Brief History: The Three Waves of Feminism





There are so many interesting videos online about feminism and feminist theory. Do use your initiative and go explore!





KEEP REVISITING PREVIOUS READING AND VIDEOS - FOR EXAMPLE, THE LONGER CHAPTER ON REPRESENTATION YOU WERE GIVEN A FEW WEEKS AGO.


And remember to find the best possible way of organising your folders.




Wednesday 1 November 2017

Wednesday 1st November 2017: Resources for independent study (notes due in next Wed 8th November)

THIS WEEK, INSTEAD OF READING, THERE IS MUCH WATCHING TO DO (AND NOTE-TAKING OF COURSE)


1. Today we covered a few more narrative theories. To consolidate your understanding, watch the videos below and aim to find supplementary ones:



2. And now a little break... Non-linear narratives:



3. The next video helps you take your knowledge a bit further.
It covers Todorov but also looks at the Hero's Journey /Quest as a key classic narrative. WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THIS IN CLASS. Then it covers Proppian characters in depth.


Watch and add to your notes.





4. And this very short one looking at Propp's basic 7 story plots:





Do look for more videos if you think you still need some help.


5. NEXT, LET'S TURN TO THEORIES OF IDEOLOGY!
Ready to be challenged?


I asked you to look into Marxist theorists so let's turn our attention to Marx himself:





6. Gramsci:




7. Althusser:



8. And finally, post-colonialism and orientalism, which we will discuss next week.






Watch carefully and make notes (ready to show me next week and to explain to the whole class) on the following:
a/ What do you know about the British empire?
b/ What is meant by colonialism?
c/ What is meant by post-colonialism?
d/ Can you make some sentences with the phrase 'colonial discourse'?
e/ What point does Paul Gilroy make about multiculturalism?
f/ What is meant by civilisationism?
g/ What is meant by 'Otherness' or 'othering' a group of people?



And the last one: Said and Orientalism (an introduction).



Can you now explain it aloud to someone else at home without notes?


Make sure that any gaps in your notes are filled and bring your files next week. We won't be interrupted.


Good luck and remember: Go and find your own resources to deepen your understanding, make some flashcards, do something with the new knowledge if you want to retain it!