1. Australian Teachers of Media Social Values Exam Seminar This powerpoint was mainly written by the presenter for A.T.O.M. With additions for Buckley Park College students

2. Social Values Assessment Criteria Exam Criteria Understanding of the relationship between social values and media texts WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE EARLY 1980S WHICH HAS AFFECTED THE WAY FOOTLOOSE IS MADE ?

3. Analysis of the ways in which social values shape the content of media texts How has the social values of the early 80s affected the construction of Footloose?

4. Social Values Assessment Criteria Exam Criteria Understanding of the relationship between social values and media texts What is the relationship like? A STRONG ONE-traditional BECOMING STRONGER-emerging NOT THAT STRONG- alternative

5. Analysis of the ways in which social values shape the content of media texts THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE IN FOOTLOOSE BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL VALUES OF THE TIME

6. Social Values Key Knowledge and Skills The production context of media texts -this means knowing about the time and environment in which the text was made - this includes knowledge about year and country of production -it may also be relevant to focus on the production environment of the text or specific personnel involved in making the text -KNOW ABOUT AMERICA IN EARLY 80S

7. Social Values Key Knowledge and Skills Attitudes in the form of social values held in society during the production period -this means you need to know some values of the time of the production for the country of production AMERICA IS WORRIED ABOUT IN THE EARLY 80S? AMERICA FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT IN THE EARLY 80S?

8. -social values can be dominant, alternative, oppositional, traditional, Emerging WHAT TYPE OF VALUES ARE THERE IN FOOTLOOSE?

9. Social Values Key Knowledge and Skills Ways in which social values of the production period shape the content of media texts -social values are intangible attitudes and beliefs -you need to know how what was believed or ‘lived’ out in the production period has impacted on / influenced what is in the text - this becomes apparent when you look at the way people and society are portrayed via a text

10. Social Values Key Knowledge and Skills The nature and structure of representations in media texts - this refers to the way that characters / issues / themes / institutions / behaviours / relationships etc. are presented or portrayed by the text. - think about…

11. What and who is represented by the text? RELIGION ATTITUDES TO POPULAR CULTURE Are stereotypes used? WHO IS A STEREOTYPED CHARACTER?egROGER & ELEANOR Are particular characters or viewpoints valued more? REN & SHAW

12. Social Values Key Knowledge and Skills Representation of a range of social values of the production period within media texts - this refers to the social values that are presented by the text (know around about 4 ‘good ones’ - ones that you can back up with information from the production period and textual examples) - which values of the production period are included? Are these values dominant, oppositional or emerging?

13. Social Values Key Knowledge and Skills Social values and how they are represented in media texts - this refers to the link between social values and representations. - understand that the representations within a text reflect social values. What are these? (Look at character’s beliefs and roles, or the way that particular issues are treated.)

14. Social Values Key Knowledge and Skills The extent to which media texts supports and/or challenges social values - this refers to the whether the values presented in texts support (go along with) the values of the time or challenge (go against) these. - sometimes, it is possible for a text to do both at once. - be able to discuss how texts supports and challenges via the use of textual examples. State a value, state if its supported /challenged and discuss HOW and by WHO.

15. Social Values Glossary Key terms you will come across and need to understand Social Values Social values are the intangible beliefs of a society which dictate, consciously or subconsciously, how that group of people should think, feel and act. Social values can be represented both verbally and nonverbally in the media. Social values tend to govern the way we live, act and behave in our everyday lives. They change as the dominant ideology of a culture changes.

16. Social Values Glossary Key terms you will come across and need to understand Dominant values - values that most people believe Oppositional values - values that go against (are opposite to) what most people believe Alternative values - values that are different to dominant values; they are a different ‘option’ for people to choose Emerging values - values that bring about ‘new ideas’ Traditional values - values that have been believed throughout history or for many years

17. Social Values Glossary Key terms you will come across and need to understand Production period - the time that the text was produced (e.g.1980’s) Representations - the way in which people / issues / themes/ institutions etc. are portrayed by the media Supported values - beliefs that agree with the values of the time Challenged values - beliefs that go against the values of the time

18. Social Values Pitfalls Where students can and have gone wrong on past Exams Know your production period! Know about the production period that your text is from. This will involve ‘facts and figures’ RESEARCH! Don’t just rely on anecdotal evidence such as…everyone in the 1970s were hippies.

19. Once you have ‘facts and figures’ about the production period, begin devising clear statements about the social values of the time, for the country of production.

20. REFER TO THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE YOU HAVE FOR FOOTLOOSE The event at Elmore City High School in 1980: the whole film comes from this event and the outrage by some members of society The invention of MTV 1981 The rise in conservative religion due to conservative presidency (in USA Reagan in Britain-Thatcher)

21. Rise in televised religion-PTL network, Reagan wanting prayer mandatory in schools bill. The rise in the divorce rate-more single mothers The rise in book banning due to conservative society. A third more books are banned than in 1970s (source: Amercian Library Association) Women are people too- equal rights due to womens’ movement of the 70s

22. Social Values Pitfalls Where students can and have gone wrong on past Exams State your values correctly! A correctly stated value may be that women are just as important as men in society. An incorrect way of expressing this value may be just saying equity or women. You can NOT express a social value in one word…..‘religion’ or ‘youth’ or ‘culture’ is not a social value! These are themes, not values. The word ‘that’ helps to make your thought into a value. Try using it…it helps!

23. What do social values questions look like in the exam? Social Values questions on the Exam will either be: Short answer - requiring you to respond directly to the question, in a succinct and concise fashion -perhaps a 3 or 4 line response, or a short paragraph Extended answer -requiring you to provide a detailed, lengthier response (miniessay style) -this response will require some planning prior to writing it out OR BOTH!

24. What do social values questions look like? Approaching Short Answer Questions Read all the questions through carefully first before you answer….sometimes they are linked together. Often questions will begin with a ‘blurb’ to ‘set the scene’ and give hints as to what the question is about. Don’t get put off by this! Concentrate on the ‘question’ that is being asked by underline the main points. Look at the space provided for your response and the marks allocated to the question, as this helps you know how much you need to write.

25. What do social values questions look like? Approaching Extended Answer Responses Extended response questions still require the same knowledge…just all at once! Underline the important parts of the question. Take a little bit of time to plan out what you need to say and the order you will say it. Ensure your ‘mini essay’ has a brief introduction and conclusion…it’s not an English Exam, but following this structure helps to make your points a little clearer.

26. What do social values questions look like? Take a look at past Exam questions to see how they are structured You can find these on the VCAA website at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au Click on the VCE Studies link Scroll down to choose ‘Media’ Select from the available past exams, found in PDF format

27. What is a good Social Values response? A good response… Is clearly expressed Answers the question Shows off the relevant knowledge of the student Backs up statements with examples from the text/s Uses terminology appropriate to the topic States values correctly

28. What is a good Social Values response? Examples of Good Responses Q. Define the term ‘social values’ and discuss their relationships to media texts. Social values are the beliefs, opinions or general attitudes a society or group holds at a particular time. Social values are intangible and can be dominant, oppositional, alternative or emerging. Media texts tend to be shaped by the social values of Their production period. Texts include values of the time, either by showing ways in which they support the values or challenge /go against them.

29. What is a good Social Values response? Examples of Good Responses Q. Identify one dominant social value of the period. Explain how this value has influenced the content of the text, particularly its representations. One social value of the production period of ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ is that people of different cultures should be accepted and respected. The film presents us with a very multicultural society, represented via the characters of Bhamra family (Indians), Joe (Irish coach) and Jules’ family (British). The friendship between Jess (and Indian girl) and Jules (an English girl) represents acceptance for those of other cultures, as does the relationship between Jules and Joe.

30. What do I need to revise? Understand and be able to define the term ‘social values’. Know about the production period that your text is from. This will involve ‘facts and figures’ RESEARCH! Once you have ‘facts and figures’ about the production period, begin devising clear statements about the social values of the time, for the country of production. Develop a list of social values from the production period research that you have completed.

31. Re-watch Footloose. Note down any important scenes in which social values are particularly evident. Make a list of the representations within the text. These may be characters, groups, issues or institutions. Return to your list of social values. For each value, decide whether this is supported and / or challenged by the text. Remember…it is possible for a text to do both at the same time! Give a great textual example to ‘back up’ each supported /challenged value.

32. Exam preparation tips Revise, revise revise! Go back and cover anything that you think you may not have done thoroughly in class at the time (e.g. production period research) Make sure that social values are written as Values statements (use the word ‘that…’) writing practice under a time limit. Work through practice\questions / previous Exams.

33. Sample Questions Question 1 Describe one social value that can be identified in the text(s) that you studied. 4 marks Question 2 a. Identify two ways in which a social value is represented in the text(s) that you studied. 6 marks b. Discuss how the two representations you identified above are related to the social values of the period of the production of the text(s). 8 marks

34. Sample Questions Question 3 Discuss how a social value(s) has shaped the content of media texts. In your response make sure you discuss at least two media texts. 8 marks Question 4 Discuss how the two representations you identified (in sample Question 2) are related to the social values of the period of the text’s production. 8 marks

35. Question 5 Representations in media texts may include the depiction of institutions and/or organisations as well as characters and social relations. These representations may support and/or challenge social values. With particular reference to a media text you have studied this year describe representations presented in that text and discuss the extent to which those representations support and/or challenge social values of the period of its production. 15 marks