welcome new a2 communication and culture students

for those who haven't been here before, this blog directs you towards some wider reading/viewing which will be important for your development as a comms student.

every day links and suggestions for further independent study will be posted here...a variety of articles, websites, clips and more. these links will usually be current material - stuff that has been published or released either that day, or over the past few days.

the links and ideas featured here will not usually focus exclusively on work you are doing in class, because this blog is a stepping stone to your own independent study, wider reading and research. however, your teacher might well ask you your opinions in class about the ideas featured in the blog... 

it's all about develping your knowledge of important issues of culture and communication in society. the a2 year of comms is all about being culturally engaged - developing your ability to understand, interpret and perhaps even challenge what is happening in the world.

to do this you need to stay culturally aware.

it's difficult to sift through all of the issues and ideas presented in the media every day, so this blog gives you a starting point.

check back as often as you can - every day -  to read and take notes on the material that has been posted each day.

so, to start you off...

 here's a link to a recently-banned advertisement featuring pamela anderson. issues of DISCOURSE, MODE OF ADDRESS and IDEOLOGY are all important here.
think about: why was it banned?
should it have been banned?
what does the ban suggest about our changing ideologies?


here's a great article from the independent about male grooming, and how men are becomign victims of beauty pressure. again, issues of IDEOLOGY and MODE OF ADDRESS are implicit here.

think about: if you're a male, are you a metrosexual?
do you agree that this is a dangerous development for men?
do you agree that we're 'leveling the playingfield in entirely the wrong way?'

and finally here's a fantastic article from the guardian about how politics and class have an effect on the way we dress and the way we decorate our houses. (it's long and quite complex, but see what you can get from it...) this is all about the key concepts of IDEOLOGY, MODE OF ADDRESS AND DISCOURSE.

think about: what do you think of the tapestries as pieces of art?
how has your appearance been affected by how you have been brought up?
how has the appearance of your home been affected by cultural influences?