Northern Beaches Secondary College

Cromer campus

Stage 5 Representing Gender unit

Handout / Title
1 / Gender – solving the puzzle (6 pages)
2 / Gender – putting the pieces together (2 pages)
OHP 1 / Mindmap – factors influencing gender
3 / Male or female? Understanding individual differences (4 pages)
4 / Analysing birthday cards
5 / Composing your own card
6 / Analysing a fairy tale
7a / Guided questions on Princess Smartypants
7b / Guided questions for text analysis
8 / Annotated example of visual analysis using Princess Smartypants
9 / Gender and the music industry (2 pages)
10 / CD music covers – gender representations (2 pages)
11 / The Simpsons: Lisa v Malibu Stacey episode
12 / Malibu Stacey's “Rules for Success”
13 / Evaluation of two website homepage designs
14 / Scene by scene annotations (11 pages)
15a / DVD Scene viewing guide (5 pages)
15b / Answers for DVD Scene viewing guide (9 pages)
16 / Shot by shot analysis of the “Free Kick” scene
17 / Who, what, when of Bend it like Beckham
18 / Motifs and symbols in Bend it like Beckham
19 / Sound track (2 pages)
20 / Narrative structure and suggested answers (5 pages)
21 / Three Act Structure
OHP 2 / Is Bend it like Beckham a formulaic film?

Handout 1

Gender – solving the puzzle

Page 1

Task:

Do you associate the following words predominately with either males or females? Draw a line to indicate your selection.

NURSE

DOCTOR

FIREPERSON

DANCER

SECURITY GUARD

GARBAGE COLLECTOR

Handout 1

Page 2

ACCOUNTANT

LAWYER

BODY BUILDER

ENGINEER

PLUMBER

ELECTRICIAN

CONCRETER

BEAUTICIAN

HAIRDRESSER

SCIENTIST

SHOP ASSISTANT

Handout 1

Page 3

CHILDCARE ASSISTANT

SOCCER

RUGBY LEAGUE

BALLET

CRICKET

GYMNASTICS

BOXING

CYCLING

SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

HIGH JUMP

Handout 1

Page 4

JAVELIN

TAP DANCE

YOGA

CULTURAL DANCING

FISHING

SAILING

BODY BOARDING

SKATE BOARDING

ROLLER BLADING

SKIPPING

HOCKEY

NETBALL

Handout 1

Page 5

SENSITIVE

EMOTIONAL

AGGRESSIVE

LOVING

FORGIVING

COURAGEOUS

RELIABLE

IRRATIONAL

RATIONAL

NURTURING

PROTECTOR

DISCIPLINARIAN

HOUSEWORK

CLEANER

Handout 1

Page 6

METAL TECHNICS

DANCE

BIOLOGY

MATHS

ENGLISH

WOOD TECHNICS

ART

MUSIC

DRAMA

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

PDHPE

HISTORY

Handout 2

Page 1

Gender – putting the pieces together

The activity you have just completed was designed to make you think about the way individuals and society make assumptions about males and females. These assumptions have a profound influence on the way individuals make decisions and behave in life. For example, decisions regarding employment, recreational activities and school subject choices are all influenced by the way we perceive the expected roles of males and females.

What is Gender?

Gender refers to what it means to be male or female in daily life. Gender is different to sex, which is the term used to describe biological differences between males and females. Throughout history the roles of males and females have changed.

Describe the way the role of females has changed in the last 50 years. Why?
Describe the way the role of males has changed in the last 50 years. Why?

Clearly, many different factors influence gender. Let’s create a mind map which summarises some of these factors:

As you can see, gender is much more than simply being male or female. Our family, friends, the media, cultural background all play a significant role in not only determining the way we see ourselves, but also influence our understanding about gender.

Handout 2

Page 2

Stereotypes

Insert your drawing of a table here

What is a stereotype?

A stereotype is an oversimplified and conventional idea or image, used to label or define people or objects. We often have a preconceived idea of people and think of them in terms of categories, rather than considering their individual differences.

Task:

Identify three male or female stereotypes that you know exist in our society.

Now read about stereotypes in soap operas: (see attached sheet)

The media plays an integral role in influencing the way people perceive gender roles. Magazines such as Cleo, Dolly and Girlfriend are all clearly targeted at a female audience, whereas magazines such as Men’s Health and Wheels appeal primarily to males. Similarly, films project stereotypical notions of gender roles which may not accurately reflect individual differences within society.

List other examples of magazines targeted at males or females

Males Females

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

What are some common features of men’s magazines?

What are some common features of women’s magazines?

Overhead 1

Mindmap – factors influencing gender

sex

family

stereotypes

friends

media

ourselves culturally based assumptions

Task:

Rank each of the factors above in the order of their influence on gender. Compare your answers with the rest of the class.

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

Handout 3

Page 1

Male or female? Understanding individual differences

Task:

Classify the following images as either male, female or gender neutral. Circle your choice.

male, female, neutral male, female, neutral

Handout 3

Page 2

male, female, neutral male, female, neutral

Handout 3

Page 3

male, female, neutral male, female, neutral

Question:

Write a paragraph based on the following:

Do you think that society encourages individual differences from when we are born?
Do you agree with societies stereotypical expectations in regard to gender?

Handout 4

Analysing birthday cards

Let’s examine the stereotypical features of birthday cards including text, colour and graphics.

Have you noticed that birthday cards are gender specific? This means that they are targeted at either boys or girls.

Composers use particular graphics (pictures), colour and text (words) to represent stereotypical characteristics of males and females.

Handout 5

Composing your own card

You have analysed a range of birthday cards which have been specifically designed for either males or females.

Task:

You have been employed by Hallmark to design a birthday for a 5 year old child. This card should be gender smart (suitable for either a boy or a girl). Your card should be as professional as possible. You may wish to use technology such as Microsoft Publisher to assist you.

Date due:

Assessment criteria: (teacher to add)

Handout 6

Analysing a fairy tale

Choose a fairy story and complete the following:

1. Describe some of the qualities of the heroine/ princess of the story. Make sure you include both a physical description and her personal qualities.

2. Describe some of the physical and personal qualities of the prince/ knight protagonist of the story.

3. Describe the villain of the fairy story. Show how the physical and personal qualities develop her/him as an evil character.

4. What is the climactic moment of the narrative? How is the narrative resolved to create a happy ending?

5. What makes you believe that they will live happily ever after?

Handout 7a

Guided questions on Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole

What does the title of the story suggest and how is it linked to the graphic on the front cover?

What do we normally associate the role of dragons with in fairy tales? What meaning is created with the image of the princess leading a dragon on a pet leash?

Explain how Princess Smartypants has reversed the traditional role we normally expect of “pretty and rich” princesses.

How does Princess Smartypants respond to her parents’ request to find a husband?

Comment on the gathering of the diverse array of princes.

Explain the use of puns on each prince’s name and how it links to their individual challenge. What is amusing about their attempts to win her?

Where does the word ‘swashbuckler’ come from?

Explain how Prince Swashbuckle is presented as a true swashbuckling hero.

9. How are the romantic expectations of the fairy tale reversed in the ending?

Handout 7b

Guided questions for text analysis

Foregrounding:

Important images are placed in the centre and in a position of prominence in relation to other images.

Size and shape of images:

Examine the size and shape of one image next to another to see if one appears to be more important or more powerful than the other.

Exaggeration:

What details are exaggerated for effect? For example, bulging eyes, big mouths, cluttered buildings.

Body language and gesture:

What aspects of the body are exaggerated to show emotion and reaction to the situation?

Colour:

How is colour used symbolically to communicate associated emotions with the text? For example, grey might link with depressing urban environments, red with anger or passion, bold colours might be used for an uplifting mood, yellow for happiness, pastels for gentleness, etc.

Fine detail:

What less obvious details, such as symbols or repetitions, could be described that present other layers of meaning? Why are such details added?

Handout 8

Annotated example of visual analysis using Princess Smartypants

(Students to look at specific page from Princess Smartypants)

(A) is the obvious positioning of the prince in the centre of the reading path. Our attention focuses on the fine details of his wish to be a successful suitor, such as the flowers, the removal of his hat in the greeting of a lady, his masculinity shown by the sword by his side.

The red sports car (B) occupies the prominent foreground position as the largest object. It acts as a symbol of his wealth and status as it bears his royal crest and a flag.

The less salient feature of the partially framed princess’s face (C) obviously shows her annoyance with her down-turned mouth. Her facial expression shows her obvious distaste at being interrupted. Her lack of interest in appearing beautiful is demonstrated with her red nose and messy hair. Her demeanour is decidedly unglamorous.

The fine detail of the princess’s crest on her castle door (D) shows her independence and her preoccupation with horses rather than suitors. The heavy chain symbolises her wish to maintain her privacy.

Handout 9

Gender and the Music Industry

‘Top 10’ Video hits profile:

Activities:

1. Indicate how many of the 10 videos feature female or male lead singers:

Female ______Male ______Both ______

2. Indicate with a tick which age bracket most of the singers featured in the 10 videos would be placed:

15 – 20 years old ______21 – 30 years old _____

31 – 50 years old _____ Senior citizen _____

3. Nominate, from the options below, which style of music each video clip represents:

pop music heavy rock reggae hip hop opera

pop rock rap rock blues jazz alternative

Clip

1. / 1.
2. / 2.
3. / 3.
4. / 4.
5. / 5.

4. Consider the female artists in the Top 10 video clips. In what ways are female gender stereotypes perpetuated through body image, fashion and the activities they are seen to be involved in?

______

5. Identify any attempts by any of the female artists to challenge culturally driven gender stereotypes throughout the film clip. (Consider satirical images, lyric content, activities being represented).

______

6. Consider the male artists appearing in the Top 10 clips. Which one best represents your idea of a real guy. Give reasons for your choice.

Artist ______

Reasons: ______

7. Music videos often depend on an explicit sexual content as a selling strategy.

Nominate the video clip which you believe most supports this statement. Provide evidence from the clip to support your choice:

Video clip: ______

Evidence: ______

Handout 10

CD Music Covers – Gender Representations

Cultural values and assumptions

Activities:

1. Which of the selected countries places the most emphasis on representing the male and/or female body image on their CD covers? Which country has the least emphasis?

Most: ______Least: ______

2. Select a CD cover which you believe perpetuates a female or male gender stereotype. Provide details/descriptions of the stereotype and how it is represented.

______

3. Select a CD cover from Australia which you believe best represents the Australian culture and its values. Describe the images that appear on the cover and explain why you think they provide a good reflection of the ‘Australian way of life.’

CD cover ______(artist / title)

Description: ______

Explanation: ______

4. Identify a CD cover from somewhere other than Australia which supports or challenges your understanding of the cultural values / gender stereo-types often associated with that country. State two ways in which your understanding of gender definitions in that country have been challenged or supported.

CD cover ______

(name of artist/band) (country)

Tick one: supports _____ challenges _____

Reason one: ______

Reason two: ______

5. Design a CD cover which challenges gender stereo-types as you understand them. Use the front and back cover of the CD for your design. Include a title for the CD and a list of at least five song titles on the back side of the cover which reflect gender smart notions and ideals.

Handout 11

The Simpsons: Lisa v Malibu Stacey episode

View the episode of Lisa v Malibu Stacey and complete the following questions:

When Lisa imagines that her dolls are at the “general assembly”, she groans when Malibu Stacey utters her first words. What are the three statements Stacey makes?
What is Lisa's explanation to Bart as to why it's not funny? What is a “vacuous ninny”?
How do you think Bart feels about Lisa's comments?
Marge unconsciously makes a comment about strawberry ice-cream. She mimics Stacey. What message is the composer presenting about Marge with this ironic statement?
The narrator at the doll factory says, “And what does Stacey think of her thirty five years of success and millions of friends worldwide?” Stacey replies, “Don't ask me. I'm just a girl.” Comment on the point being made about the role of females.
How does the tour guide react to the man's wolf whistles and comment. “Hey, Jiggles grab a pad and back that gorgeous butt in here”?
Lisa finds the real Stacey Lavelle. She is an alcoholic recluse who has been married five times. She appears to be neither happy nor healthy. Miss Lavelle says, ”Thirty years of living her lifestyle has taught me some very harsh lessons.” Whose lifestyle has Miss Lavelle led? How could Stacey, the doll's lifestyle have affected Miss Lavelle?
Lisa and Miss Lavelle design the new doll. Bart reacts. One of his comments is, “How about Blabbermouth, the jerky doll for jerks?” Wendy Windbag? Ugly Doris? Hortense the mule faced doll”
Comment on why Bart is reacting as he does. Whose point of view is Bart representing?
The board of directors at the Malibu Stacey tries to “sink” the Lisa Lionheart doll by calling in a “favour from Washington”. The composer intends this incident to be satirical and amusing. There is a sense in which it trivialises the role of government. What do you think?
The market place is shallow and fickle. Consumers can be easily manipulated to change their minds. How does the composer demonstrate this message in the final scenes of the episode?
What is the meaning of Miss Lavelle Stacey's comment about $46,000 at the end?
Do you agree with Lisa's final comment, “You know, if we get through to just that one little girl, it'll all be worth it!”

Handout 12