The Marxist tradition of cultural critics called the “Frankfurt School” argued in the period after WW2 that “high culture” (opera, ballet, classical music etc) was bourgeois. Everyone else (e.g. the working class) enjoyed “popular culture” or “low culture.” Cinema, crime novels, and now TV, romance novels, etc.

 

Mind map YOUR OWN access to HIGH CULTURE and POPULAR culture

 

Writing task1:

Is popular culture rebellious or conservative? OR Does “high Culture” still exist in Australia or has all culture been proletarianised?

In your understanding of reality television, how might it be considered a popular culture?

Analyse your own interaction with popular culture (booklet p188)

 

 

 

Read about the history of TV.

 

Watch the following then attempt WT2 below

 

Writing task 2:

How has reality TV changed over time in terms of social values and method? (Tip: use concepts - ideology, continuity, change, media, influence, self)

 

Complete table as you watch to prepare for question:

Example       :      Program type/method       :           Social values/ideology/  high/low appeal

 

*Program types include -documentary (watching people live or work) self-improvement/home improvement

*Values/ideology: Consider how the audience in being positioned in terms of good/badhuman behaviour, voyeurism, intelligence, entertainment, education

 

Vertov, The Man with the Movie Camera, 1929 Russia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fd_T4l2qaQ

 

Jean Rouch, Chronique d'un été 1960 France

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxVtFQgS4o

 

Candid Camera, 1950

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzeOgH1Abzg

 

Seven Up! 1964, Britain (Interested in role of class and other factors in socialization)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngSGIjwwc4U

 

An American Family, 1974 (Controversial gay son – conservative media backlash)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukNL26zQv7w

 

COPS, 1989 (Interestingly emerged during a writers strike)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrmIGu-5Bew

 

Sylvania Waters, 1992, Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lSBo7yUvA

 

Comparing The Family (Britian) with Sylvania Waters (Aust) 7:30 Report 2001. (Same producer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qGaxeEzbCI

 

The Real World, MTV, 1992 America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClYScU3BPV8

 

Merlin’s Eviction Protest, Big Brother

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3N83X0gb_c

 

 

 

The developments of Reality TV - locally, nationally and globally

Make a simple flow chart of the development of RT – local, national, global. No more than 50 words. Hint: You may choose single shows or categories, up to you.

 

Mythology in reality TV:

What is the main narrative about people and society maintained by RT?

Who are the heroes and antiheroes? Think “winners” “losers” and the various tropes (stereotypes) we find in RT. Consider class, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, (dis)ability and age.

 

Writing Task 3: Provide a plan AND an answer for 2 questions (A & B)

A)

EITHER

Evaluate the role of the media in the development of popular culture from a local to a national level

OR

Outline your understanding of the concept globalization, and assess the impact of globalization on the distinguishing characteristics of popular culture

 

AND

B) Describe the impact that heroes have had on Reality TV’s consumption

 

 

 

 Writing Task 4: Complete A and B

Outline the ways in which consumers have widespread access to RT

 

Choose ONE:

Explain the roles of both official and unofficial censorship in the control of RT

OR

Assess the influence of institutional power on the acceptance and rejection of RT

OR

Analyse the role of stakeholders in the control of RT

 

 

 

 

Writing task 5: Complete A and B

A) Explain the influence of business, marketing and/or advertising on the development of RT

B) Assess how the distinguishing characteristics of popular culture contribute to social change

 

 

Writng task 6: Analyse the role of technology in influencing the distinguishing characteristics of RT

 

 

Review

 

Match the following concepts with the questions below, then answer the questions.

 

conflict

access

globalisation

change

identity

continuity

influence

ideology

mythology

institutional power

self

media

socialisation

 

Who engages with reality TV? How do audiences watch it?

What has happened to reality TV over time? How did it start? What does it look like now? What will it be in the future?

Do all people in society enjoy reality TV? Who does not? Why? Does Reality TV disrupt norms in society or perpetuate stereotypes?

Is reality TV the same everywhere in the world? Why are there similarities? What values have been spread through reality TV?

Are there aspects of reality TV that have appeared in earlier forms of documentary?

Does reality TV play a role in the development of peoples’ sense of self?

What beliefs and ideas underpin reality TV? Is there a set of ideas or values shared by followers of reality TV?

What effect does reality TV have on people and society?

How do institutional powers control reality TV

Reality TV is not just transmitted through TV but also through internet and radio

Ideas and beliefs may come out of reality TV that may be rooted in truth but have developed a life beyond truth. This can be useful to those wishing to promote forms of popular culture such as reality TV.

Students will need to think about their own interaction with reality TV.

How does popular culture transmit society’s expectations, and shape people’s personalities and experience?