Writer: Sarah Fearnside
Released October 2006
Context
As the idea of representation is quite complex and difficult for Year 12 students to grasp, it is recommended that this unit should not be taught in the first school term but after students have gathered confidence in film language and in identifying common media codes and conventions as part of narrative or genre studies.
This unit explores how New Zealand media texts since the early 20th Century have created certain ideas and myths about our collective national identity which prevail today. It is both important and relevant for students in a New Zealand classroom to be aware of where these values and messages came from and to analyse critically the way our identity continues to be packaged and sold to us by the New Zealand media. This unit uses a variety of different media texts to explore the ubiquity and complexity of this representation.
This is an external achievement standard yet other internal achievement standards could be assessed in the unit. Close reading could be incorporated into the end of the unit as students will have the necessary contextual understanding to improve the depth of their answers and make the essential links to wider society and other texts required to reach excellence level.
If time permits, a short individual production task could be used to either familiarise students with camera and editing equipment and/or help the teacher begin to assess 2.7 – This activity has been included as a formative assessement task in this unit.
There are many texts covered and therefore individual texts within thematic lessons could be omitted as could certain themes be omitted altogether without affecting the flow of the unit (such as sport). The production task can be omitted or simplified to suit time and equipment restrictions. Students could construct an equally effective power point, photo story or static image presentation of the same ideas.
Outline
Students begin the unit by establishing what their preconceptions are of New Zealand identity with introductory tasks on the ideas of representations and how other nation’s national icons have certain connotations. Students move through the unit semi-chronologically by exploring the different text types: early 20th century news reels followed by advertisements, then sport and finally bi-culturalism in feature film.
Each grouping looks at how the text type and historical context can determine the types of messages and values portrayed in the texts. Throughout these tasks students can make several types of comparisons based on these two points of difference. They can complete their own short montage of images and icons which both present stereotypical representations of kiwi identity and also challenge these representations.
Achievement Criteria
(from Standard / AOs from Curriculum/Learning Outcomes for the unit)
Achievement Standard 2.3 “Demonstrate understanding of messages, values and representations within media text (90278)
Activities are also included which can be used as formative assessments for:
Achievement Standard 2.2 Close reading of unfamiliar text (90277)
Achievement Standard 2.7 Utilise technology in the production of a media product (90282)
Time Frame
5-8 weeks (depending on activity inclusion)
Resources for this Unit
NZ Film Archive ON DISK: Representation of New Zealand Identity
Once Were Warriors, 1993, Lee Tamahori, Avalon Studios/Communicado/ Fine Line Features/NZ Film Commission/ NZ On Air, NZ, 99 mins or other feature length film/documentary of teacher’s choice
Bell, C. (1995) Inventing New Zealand. Auckland: Penguin Books (NZ)
This is an essential publication as Bell offers critical perspectives and research on major text types such as television news and advertising and how they are used to promote certain values about our national identity to the consuming public.
Prior knowledge established
It is recommended that this unit be taught no earlier than term 2 in the academic year so that students have prior knowledge of basic film terminology and codes and conventions of media texts from either a genre or narrative study or their own film production. A knowledge of audience is also recommended.
Students will bring their own knowledge of kiwi icons and common media representations to the class but will not yet be able to articulate the values and messages behind these every day representations. Students with other ethnic and cultural backgrounds will be able to compare this to knowledge of their own culture’s icons.
The unit begins with brainstorming students pre-conceptions of New Zealand identity. A static image title page for the unit of work can also be a useful reference or discussion point, especially to refer back to at the end of the unit.
At the beginning of each lesson learning intentions are to be indicated to the students. This can be done by writing them on the board and/or in their books.
Vocab List
see Reading Images handout and Tactile Vocab Task and Before and After Vocab Grid
Representation / Identity
Mediation / Dominant ideology
Values / Nationalism
Messages / Socialism
Connotation
Denotation
Symbols
Icons
A useful list of Media concepts and their definitions can be found at the TKI Media Studies website
Further Resource Links for teachers:
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/identity/index_e.php
This is a social studies unit plan on Kiwi Identity aimed at Year 9s. There are some useful lesson ideas and activities as well as many links to “kiwi” websites which are useful in terms of icons and representation (including the All Blacks official site and the history of the Buzzy Bee).
http://www.nzedge.com/gallery/index.htm
From the above tki site I found this handy reference which includes many different aspects of NZ identity from heroes to symbols and icons to an archive of recent global media coverage of New Zealanders. The site’s content is a useful resource as is the actual concept and construction of the site itself. The creators state that “The New Zealand Edge is a new way of thinking about our identity, people, stories, achievements and place in the world” which aims “to strengthen our identity and foster the global community of New Zealanders.”
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz This is a visually interactive website covering many aspects of New Zealand history, culture and society, government and politics etc… This can be given to students as a reference or used as a class in lesson #2 after the initial brainstorm about key events in NZ history. The site can validate the assertions and then some of the old film footage can introduce the other visual texts we will be watching, close reading and critiquing from the archive dvd.
http://www.nzfilm.co.nz/downloads/warriorsstudyguide.pdf
A comprehensive study guide with activities aimed at teachers wishing to study the film as a visual text in the English curriculum. Has some very thoughtful and provocative thematic statements as well as quotations from film critics which can be used to stimulate discussion. Also has a useful three level guide which could be used post-viewing.
Achievement Standard 90278 - Representation
