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Preview of Main Points for Teachers
This one or two week unit offers students and teachers opportunities to
trace the last three decades of cultural history in the United States as
portrayed on television. Students will analyze television shows from
each ten-year period to discover the cultural similarities and differences
of each. In-class viewing of selected videotaped episodes followed
by discussions, interviews, presentations and written assignments will
deepen students’ understanding of recent history and produce a lasting
impression of cultural awareness. It will also serve to strengthen
each student’s media evaluation skills.
Objectives
1. Compare and contrast intra-family relationships
as portrayed on television in the
1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s by analyzing the following questions,
while viewing shows representative of each decade:
a. Who is in control of the family?
b. What is the mother’s role?
c. How are the characters dressed for informal and formal occasions?
d. What is the composition of the family?
e. What tones of voice are used between family members?
f. What lessons do the characters learn, and who does the teaching?
g. From whom does the humor come?
2. Determine how realistically television portrayed family life by
having students do the following:
a. Interview someone whose teen years were spent in the
1960s or 1970s.
b. Share their own views on the realism of 1980s and 1990s shows.
c. Present their interview findings in a report to the class.
3. Note the moral or ethical changes in characters from shows from
each decade by analyzing the following:
a. character motivations;
b. treatment of adults;
c. reactions to moral dilemmas;
d. respected character traits; and
e. character priorities.
4. List differences in popularity of certain show genres in each
decade, and formulate conclusions about how this reflects on society and
its changing priorities and entertainment tastes.
a. Review television history books from library.
b. Obtain A. C. Nielsen ratings from a week or year in each decade.
c. Formulate generalizations or conclusions through discussion.
d. Discuss any references made in the shows to then-current events
or politics.
Daily Routine
The class should view part or all of the show together, and the teacher
should lead each discussion, allowing students to formulate answers and
generalizations through listening to each other. Writing assignments,
worksheets, and class presentations may follow as the teacher deems necessary.
Representative Shows
The following shows are recommended because of their historical popularity,
availability for videotaping, and ease of forming comparisons and contrasts.
Most any episode works nicely.
1960s:
Leave It To Beaver
The Donna Reed Show
Father Knows Best
1970s:
The Brady Bunch
All in the Family
1980s:
Family Ties
The Cosby Show
Who’s The Boss
Growing Pains
1990s:
The Simpsons
The Cosby Show
Beverly Hills 90210
Full House
Additional Ideas
Analyze present-day shows that portray the past such as Brooklyn Bridge,
The
Wonder Years, and Homefront for historical accuracy.
Additional Sources
Additional information sources include: television history texts, The USA
Today Entertainment Section, television critics’ reviews, and the Reader’s
Guide to Periodical Literature.
Conclusions
Media based history teaching provides students with a medium of interest,
a look at how television portrays family in recent years, and some memorable
opportunities to analyze and learn from television—not just watch it.
Kevin F. Puzey teaches at North Layton Junior High School in Layton,
Utah.
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