Representations of

Social Class

G322: Key Media Concepts – TV Drama

What is social class?

Define it!

THINK PAIR SHARE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2k1iRD2f-c

Stereotypes surrounding class

Create a table which lists the associations you can think of for working, middle and upper classes.

WORKING MIDDLE UPPER

Class RepresentationsThe representation of people from different classes

has changed massively over the years. Up until the 1950’s, the upper classes were the class mainly shown on tv and in film. This is because they were some of the only people able to afford to go to the cinema and own a television. As more and more people from working class background watch TV, more and more TV programmes feature working class characters.

Corrie’s first episode aired on December 9th 1960

Having said that, there are still some stereotypes associated with different classes:

• Upper Classes (eg Made in Chelsea) – often shown as rich, clever, snobby, very posh

• Middle Classes (eg My Family)– often shown as “normal”, good family values, well behaved

• Working Classes (eg Coronation Street) – often shown as poorer, less happy, less intelligent, but with strong community links

• Lower / Under Classes (eg Shameless) – often shown as being criminals, no family values, no community links, bad parents etc

This is a modern world…Whilst some of those class division terms are still useful, there are arguments that they are less relevant in describing modern day class structures. A recent survey revealed seven new classes in modern Great Britain:• Elite – the most privileged class with high levels of all three capitals; their high amount

of economic capital sets them apart• Established Middle Class – gregarious and culturally engaged, with high levels of all

three capitals although not as high as the Elite• Technical Middle Class – a new, small class with high economic capital but seem less

culturally engaged, with relatively few social contacts• New Affluent Workers – a young and active group with medium levels of economic

capital and higher levels of cultural and social capital• Emergent Service Workers – young and often found in urban areas, this is a new class

with low economic capital but high levels of 'emerging' cultural capital and high social capital

• Traditional Working Class – although not the poorest, this class scores low on all three capitals; they tend to be older than the others

• Precariat – the most deprived class with low levels of economic, cultural and social capital; their everyday lives are precarious

Oliver TwistCarousel Activity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEAUjTTT_8M&list=PLyT2W9O-pd7r6wwSmc7rPec3N5FIfSo0R&index=1

We will watch the clip 3 times. Each table represents one of the 4 codes. I will split you into 4 groups and for each screening as a group you will move to a different table. Each person must note down at least one (aim for two!) techniques from that code and its connotation(s) on every table.

The Great British Class Survey(Just for fun!)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22000973

Feel free to take the test in your own time, but bare in mind it’s probably more reliable to base your answers on your parent/guardians’ situation than your own – unless you already have a mortgage and full time job!