Representation/Misrepresentation

Buckingham has a lot of interesting insights on media and how it affects people.  The section of the reading that stuck out to me the most was the information of representation.  Buckingham states, “the media do not offer us a transparent ‘window on the world’, but a mediated version of the world.  They don’t just present reality, they re-present it” (57).  This idea perfectly reflects how media is used in society today.  This idea I feel is very important to teach to students.  Representation is something a person see’s on a regular basis.  As artists’ representation is the looking glass we use to see the world through.  We ask ourselves the following questions; what truth is this telling me? Is there truth here? Is this text realistic? What ideals is this expressing? How am I supposed to interpret this piece?  By exposing students into the realities of representation as a teacher I can give them the analytical tools to break images and texts down to find new insights on the over-viewed or over-read object.  In addition, by giving students tools to analyze it will prepare them to view things with an objective eye and warn off being manipulated by the media in a negative way.

In my classroom I want to explore how media represents stereotypes.  As an activity I would have the class get into groups of 3 or even partners and give them a different form of media(magazines, advertisements, and newspapers).  Depending on the size of the class I would assign two groups the same media but a different example within that media.  For example I would assign one group Sports Illustrated and ask them to look at how white males are stereotypes in that edition.  Then I would have another group analyze how black males are stereotyped in the same edition of Sports Illustrated.  Each group would present their findings from their research.  Their presentation would have to answer a few questions specifically.  Then once all the groups had presented I would lead a discussion of comparing and contrasting the different ways two different groups were represented in one media form.  Then the findings we discuss I would ask how representation is seen in their everyday life.  Is this type of representation seen at school?  Are there times were people are mis-represented, and it affects them negatively?