Have a look at the following definition and the come up with your own!
The term ‘Consume’ means to use, erode, destroy or take. Modern society has become media driven and increasingly materialistic in nature. As advertising seems to invade every facet of our lives and senses, we find our attitudes, beliefs and experience dictated by media saturation that fosters the drive to ‘consume’. Rampant materialism has many negative ramifications such as pressures to conform and comply. Individualism is stripped away as social cohesion and relationships become more superficial and self-centred.
Consumerism is a term that aptly defines the obsession in the Western world with ‘self’. People have become more self-centred, superficial and insensitive to the world around them. Many criticise the resultant decline in moral and spiritual values evident in a mindset that is exploitive and opportunistic. Dawe’s poems depict in condemnatory tones, a society that has become dehumanised and desensitised by the drive to ‘consume’. He is incensed by the negative impact of such acquisitiveness that is perpetuated and fostered by a range of persuasive methods of mass media advertising. Uniformity and slavish adherence to promoted codes of behaviour has resulted in a society that is conformist and materialistic.
Song Lyrics and Consumerism
Songs of Consumerism: Listen to one or two of the following songs and examine the lyrics carefully: +Material Girl – Madonna
+ Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
+ Financial ‘O Things – Tracey Chapman
+ How to be a Millionaire – ABC
+ Money’s Too Tight to Mention – Simply Red
Consider the ideas about consumerism that are suggested in these songs. Write a 2-3 paragraphs summarising the main ideas presented and your personal reaction to them.
Consumerism and Global Logos
Discuss the influence of global corporations on modern society. Consider the role of fast food chains, soft drink companies, sportswear companies, software corporations and other large, global corporations.
How many logos associated with such corporations? Why they are so easily recognisable and what devices do these global corporations use to influence consumer society? Make notes.
Advertising on television, radio, the internet and in print plays a large role in shaping consumer society.
Select 3-4 advertisements used in any of the above media for analysis.
For each advertisement write a detailed analysis of the devices used to persuade consumers to buy the product or use the service. Consider the devices used to attract attention, sustain interest, arouse desires and encourage action. In your analysis, examine the language used, headlines, slogans, logos, visuals, music, sounds, lay out and format of each advertisement. Select one of your advertisements and present your findings about it to the class.
Extended Writing Task
Is television to blame for society’s obsession with consumerism at the cost of community values? Write a 2 page response to these questions, providing examples to support your viewpoint.
Bruce Dawe
Research the 1950s and 1960s.
List the major changes that occurred during these decades in lifestyle, health, health, society, politics, economics etc.
How might these have influenced Bruce Dawe when he began writing his poetry?
Research the life of Bruce Dawe and compile a brief biography about him.
Read through each of the SIX POEMS and list in a table how each poem relates to Consumerism.
Read the poem
What are your intital thoughts and feelings about the poem? What don't you understand?
Fill in the Response Guide[[@http://www.slideshare.net/secret/j2ndoD2xc7HGUI |Inference Guide]]
What is Consumerism?
The term ‘Consume’ means to use, erode, destroy or take. Modern society has become media driven and increasingly materialistic in nature. As advertising seems to invade every facet of our lives and senses, we find our attitudes, beliefs and experience dictated by media saturation that fosters the drive to ‘consume’. Rampant materialism has many negative ramifications such as pressures to conform and comply. Individualism is stripped away as social cohesion and relationships become more superficial and self-centred.
Consumerism is a term that aptly defines the obsession in the Western world with ‘self’. People have become more self-centred, superficial and insensitive to the world around them. Many criticise the resultant decline in moral and spiritual values evident in a mindset that is exploitive and opportunistic. Dawe’s poems depict in condemnatory tones, a society that has become dehumanised and desensitised by the drive to ‘consume’. He is incensed by the negative impact of such acquisitiveness that is perpetuated and fostered by a range of persuasive methods of mass media advertising. Uniformity and slavish adherence to promoted codes of behaviour has resulted in a society that is conformist and materialistic.
Song Lyrics and Consumerism
Songs of Consumerism: Listen to one or two of the following songs and examine the lyrics carefully:+Material Girl – Madonna
+ Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
+ Financial ‘O Things – Tracey Chapman
+ How to be a Millionaire – ABC
+ Money’s Too Tight to Mention – Simply Red
Consider the ideas about consumerism that are suggested in these songs. Write a 2-3 paragraphs summarising the main ideas presented and your personal reaction to them.
Consumerism and Global Logos
Discuss the influence of global corporations on modern society. Consider the role of fast food chains, soft drink companies, sportswear companies, software corporations and other large, global corporations.How many logos associated with such corporations? Why they are so easily recognisable and what devices do these global corporations use to influence consumer society? Make notes.
Advertising on television, radio, the internet and in print plays a large role in shaping consumer society.
Select 3-4 advertisements used in any of the above media for analysis.
For each advertisement write a detailed analysis of the devices used to persuade consumers to buy the product or use the service. Consider the devices used to attract attention, sustain interest, arouse desires and encourage action. In your analysis, examine the language used, headlines, slogans, logos, visuals, music, sounds, lay out and format of each advertisement. Select one of your advertisements and present your findings about it to the class.
Extended Writing Task
Is television to blame for society’s obsession with consumerism at the cost of community values? Write a 2 page response to these questions, providing examples to support your viewpoint.
Bruce Dawe
Research the 1950s and 1960s.List the major changes that occurred during these decades in lifestyle, health, health, society, politics, economics etc.
How might these have influenced Bruce Dawe when he began writing his poetry?
Research the life of Bruce Dawe and compile a brief biography about him.
Read through each of the SIX POEMS and list in a table how each poem relates to Consumerism.
Enter Without So Much As Knocking
Read the poem. ([[@http://www.slideshare.net/secret/fYsAw3JdDd9UjH |Glossary]])What are your initial thoughts about this poem?
What questions do you have about this poem?
Fill in the Response Guide.[[@http://www.slideshare.net/secret/j2ndoD2xc7HGUI |Inference Guide]]
Have a look at the annotations on the accompanying PPTs (Enter Analysis 1 and Enter Analysis 2) and add any annotations you did not have to your notes.
Complete the Questions and make sure you write detailed answers! (General Questions and Focus Questions)
The Not So Good Earth
Read the poemWhat are your intital thoughts and feelings about the poem? What don't you understand?
Fill in the Response Guide[[@http://www.slideshare.net/secret/j2ndoD2xc7HGUI |Inference Guide]]