Speak, write and read! Then speak again!

The best thing you can do in your prelim year is bond with your class. You all need to know each other so you can work as an inclusive, inquisitive, creative community - at least until the end of the course!

 

Always consider how your anecdotes and arguments will sound to others. Respect difference, speak directly and respectfully, and seek to enlighten yourself with the insight others will give you. This will give you micro and meso world social and cultural literacy.

 

You also need to plug into some quality media. Critically discuss magazines, news shows and sites, movies, TV shows and music. Consider the viewpoints each media source privilege - for example, do producers seem to be relating mostly to middle class white men, or are they also interested in the experiences of queer people, people of colour, refugees, young people, and the poor?

 

 

Here's an annotated media list I suggest you check out. You should access current affairs at least once a week. You will probably want to raise some of the things you discover in the classroom.

 

ABC Radio National "Counterpoint" Program

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/counterpoint/

"Counterpoint tackles key social, economic and cultural issues in Australian life, challenging assumptions and giving voice to new and seldom-heard commentators." (ABCRN)

Monday 4pm Repeated: Friday 1pm

You can scan for stories of interest then listen or down load for later.

 

Another ABC RN show, "Future Tense" - presents cutting edge S&C ideas! Impress your teacher!

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/