Part+2+-+True+or+False?

Part 2 - True or False: Stereotypes and Television

For this part of the module we will watch some advertisements and episodes of two family-based sitcoms, and make notes of the stereotypes we see. A stereotype is a commonly held belief about specific social groups, or types of individuals.

As you watch, note down any stereotypes you notice.

[|Stereotypes in TV advertisements] [|Gender stereotypes in ads aimed at children]

When we have finished watching, you will complete the Stereotypes worksheet.



In groups, you will formulate a survey about stereotypes and then survey some members of the school community. You can choose to focus specifically on teen stereotypes. The surveys will be filmed or recorded, so you each need to take turns surveying.

Your survey should have at least 10 questions. They can be short answer questions or multiple choice questions. Some sample survey questions are:


 * Do you think adults stereotype teenagers?
 * What is a positive teenager stereotype?
 * What is a negative teenager stereotype?
 * Do you behave in any sterotypically teenage ways?
 * Do you think stereotyping people can be harmful? Why or why not?
 * Do you think you stereotype particular groups of people?
 * Has anyone ever considered you to be a stereotype?
 * What are some common stereotypes about teenagers?
 * Do you find it upsetting when people stereotype you?
 * Why do you think people stereotype others?

You must make up some of your own questions.

In your groups you will then come with an idea for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) based on the issue of teen stereotypes. Negative stereotypes not only affect how adults see teenagers, they influence how teenagers see themselves. The feeling that the rest of the world doesn't respect or understand you does little to encourage a positive sense of self-worth.

The question you need to consider for your PSA is, what is the most important thing you think everyone should understand about being a teenager? For example, it could be: teenagers aren't antisocial; teenagers don't need to drink to have a good time; teenagers deserve respect; teenagers are individuals first; teenagers have a right to express themselves; teenagers are responsible; even though some teenagers may look like a certain stereotype, it doesn't mean they behave in a particular way.

Below are some PSAs that we will watch in class to give you some ideas.

[|Star Wars Smoking PSA] [|Tolerance PSA] [|Proving the Stereotypes Wrong PSA] [|Hero PSA] [|Confront Labels PSA]

We will discuss these ideas as a class and decide on whether we will make one PSA as a class, or work in groups to make several PSAs.

In consultation with me you may choose one of the following options instead (you must still complete your movie review worksheet):
 * a print-ad version of a PSA.
 * an essay that discusses the stereotypes we found in the TV shows and advertisements we watched (minimum 200 words).