Print friendly version

Lesson ideas

Who participates?- Identifying diversity

Quick Time Sample (video File)
Get a player/reader for this file here

Students listen strategically and discuss issues to understand the stereotypical portrayals of cultural groups presented in the media.

Nick Giannopoulos, producer/director of "The Wog Boy" gives some insights on the non-representation of Australia's cultural diversity in the popular media.

1. Listen to sound bite and answer the following questions

• What does Nick Giannopoulos believe is the view overseas countries have of Australian society?
• How are these views formed?
• What does Nick Giannopoulos believe will change the narrow ideas and programming standards of television in Australia?

2. Download Television Questionaire.
Groups of students use questionnaires and view popular television shows to observe actors used and characters portrayed.
After viewing discuss the findings:

• How were the different groups (eg sex, race) portrayed?
• Based on the portrayals, of which group would you want to be a member?
• In what ways do the different portrayals represent your view of that particular group?
• How do you think you would feel if you were a member of one of the groups negatively portrayed?
• In what way do you think that your opinions about other people are influenced, if at all, by the television programs you watch?
• Are you concerned about the way certain groups of people seem to be portrayed?
• If yes, what are you going to do about it?

1. Students examine how various Australian cultural groups are portrayed in other forms of the media eg radio, newspaper, film, advertising.
   
2. Find an example of a stereotyped portrayal in the media and rewrite or redesign to better reflect Australia's cultural diversity.

Shiman David A The Prejudice Book- Activities for the Classroom Anti Defamation Commission of B'nai B'rith