A2 Comms - Immigration to the UK

Lord Kitchener: London is the place for me

Click here for the link to Socrative (then click 'student log in' at the top of the page).

Padlet Immigration Wall

Extension work: I really recommend that you listen to this radio programme about Multicultural Britain. It lasts about 30 minutes and features Stuart Hall, a leading Postcolonial academic (himself part of the Windrush generation). Click here to play the programme (it can't be downloaded, so do it on wifi).

AS Comms - Applying the course so far to a comedy sketch

Which aspects of the course studied so far can we apply to this sketch?

A2 Comms & Culture: Edward Said

 

Omid Djalili

 

Edward Said & Orientalism

AS Lang Lit: All My Sons - the origins of the story

Click here to watch Arthur Miller explain where he got the idea for All My Sons from.

A2 Comms - Colonial attitudes

Rule Britannia:

Land of Hope and Glory:

AS Lang Lit: Represented Speech

How have the writers of each of these two texts used the conventions of spoken language to present plausible characters and narratives? How has the language been crafted to enable 'deeper' meanings to be conveyed and to ensure the audience don't get lost?

Marion & Jeff

The Wire

 



AS Comms - Language, perception and power

Harris Academy in Upper Norwood made the news this week because they have banned students from using certain words in lessons.

Click here to read the original story (BBC website)


Click here to read a response to the school's decision (The Independent newpaper)

Their decision seems to support Lindsay John's argument that in order to change how society perceives us, we need to use the language of the powerful (or Received Pronunciation). What do you think of the school's decision? Who do you agree with?

A2 Literature - The Bluest Eye article and presentations

Click here to read an interview with Toni Morrison. {Good for secondary reading & interpretations!}.

Click here to watch some audiovisual presentations about The Bluest Eye, produced by previous students.

AS Comms - Twilight work in place of lesson

AS C&C: Twilight

Practice question: Culture and value

Here are three different ideas about what makes a cultural text valuable: 

 

• A cultural text has value because it makes a good profit for its producer

• A cultural text has value because it has stood the test of time

• A cultural text has value because it is enjoyed by a large number of people

Choose one of the above statements and write an argument either defending it or challenging it. Aim for about 500 words.

 

Please email your essay to Clare (clare.dignum@rutc.ac.uk) by the end of this Friday (18^th October).

 

A2 Comms - Introducing Post Colonialism

Post Colonialism Intro Presentation.

 

Kenya: A White Man's Country

AS Comms - NVC

Watch this TED TALK, where Amy Cuddy reflects on the power of our non-verbal communication.

A2 Literature: The Bluest Eye / Articles and Blog entries

Click here to read a blog entry on TBE.
Click here for  a Feminist reading of the text.
Click here for a more challenging read!

A2 Comms - Appplying Marxism to Aston Martin Music

How can apply a Marxist reading of this video?

AS Comms & Culture - NVC



Desmond Morris: The Human Animal

 

NVC clips for analysis: click here.

AS Lang Lit: Suggested Framework for ELLA2/ Section A

Suggested framework to use for ELLA2, Section A

{Click the image to see a larger version you can read!}

AS Comms - Language and power

Perception and accents: click here

Language and power: click here to listen to a 15 minute speech on language and power.

What are the key arguments that Lindsay Johns make?
What is your response? Do you agree?

And - click here to read an article reflecting on people's attitudes to accents.

AS Comms Twilight: Subculture & Banksy

AS Comms Twilight: Semiotics

AS Lang Lit: Analysing Spoken Language

Watch this clip from 'The Apprentice' and identify 5 ways in which power and status (or lack of it) is conveyed through the language used by those featured in the clip. Try to use the terminology we have introduced in class to anchor your comments:

Click here to watch the clip.

A2 Lit: The Bluest Eye

Definitely worth watching!

Please remember also that once you have finished reading the book, there is a study pack on Moodle for you to use to help develop your understanding further.

A2 Comms - Karl Marx

Here is an excellent programme about Marx's ideas and their relevance to society today. Watch this to reinforce and develop your understanding of Marxism:

AS Comms Twilight: The meanings of the hijab

Last week we explored the cultural meanings of the hoodie. Click here to read about the meanings constructed by the hijab. It is important that you start to build your own case-studies about how clothes can be used as a signifier, and this would be a good start...

AS Comms: Poll

Please take part in the poll on Moodle in preparation for next week's lessons:
Do you communicate more with words or with your body language?

AS Comms Twilight: Counterculture

Click here to read an interesting article on the development of counterculture in Britain.