Media and Collective

For this exam you Identity: Race

need to learn about • The ways in which people
the following might use the media actively to
functions: form a collective identity
• How media that are in • Debates around the idea that
public circulation now our identities are increasingly
represent groups of people constructed
in different ways
• How these representations
can be seen as different to
historical representations of
the same groups
• The effects in society of
particular kinds of media
representation of collective
identities
“Identity is complicated. Everyone
thinks they’ve got one.” (Gauntlett, 2007)
 Read pages 48-49
from the OCR A2
Media Studies book
that your teacher has
given you.
 Underline or highlight
any key pieces of text
that you feel are
particularly relevant
to the issue of
identity and be
prepared to discuss
them with the class.
 Research Time: Pairs
 Open a Mac and
research Blumler &
Katz’s Uses and
Gratifications theory of
media. You may also
find an interesting
perspective from the
University of
Aberystwyth’s Daniel
Chandler. You should
each print off a copy of TIME: 15 MINUTES
your work as you will
need it for the next
task.
 Class Feedback
 What is the Uses and
Gratifications theory?
 Why might people
watch a show like 24?
 You will now be
shown a series of clips
from the US hit Fox TV
show 24. You should
make notes on any
representations of
race that you find
particularly
interesting.
 The Uses and Gratifications
Theory Revisited
Paired Discussion: Are there Read the article entitled ‘Sky
any parts of the Uses and Faces Muslim Anger over
Gratifications theory that 24’. What are your own
should never be applied to a thoughts about the opinions
fictional show like 24? expressed?

If so, why is this? Why

might it be dangerous?
 Research Time: Round Two
The Very Big and
Very Important
Question... Does
the Muslim Council
of Britain have a
valid point? What
reason might Sky
or Fox have for How are you going to
representing a investigate this?
certain group of
people in a
particular way?