4p05 survivor deconstruction

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Deconstructing “Survivor” As a Reconstruction Natalie Spadafora Andrew Chalmers Heather Mathieson EDUC 4P05 Professor Mary Lovering

Clear your mind. Write down the first thing that comes to mind.: 

Clear your mind. Write down the first thing that comes to mind.

Who’s wiser?: 

Who’s wiser?

Who’s faster?: 

Who’s faster?

Who’s stronger?: 

Who’s stronger?

Who’s more manipulative?: 

Who’s more manipulative?

Who’s smarter?: 

Who’s smarter?

Introduction: 

Introduction

Survivor: Boys vs. Girls: 

Survivor: Boys vs. Girls In Boys vs. Girls, the men feel like they have the advantage in challenges, as they are deemed to be stronger or faster, and better in physical challenges. They also emphasize that they will be able to better take care of themselves out in the amazon wilderness as they are natural hunters, workers and can build a better shelter and have an easier time providing for one another, (ex. fish). This exemplifies that the men feel they have an advantage in society/game.

PowerPoint Presentation: 

The women think they have certain advantages over the men, including, brains, social skills, and sex. They seem happy with the divide as well, as they feel the opportunity to “prove the world (and men) wrong,” by showing that they do not need men to survive, that they are strong and able to overcome the odds. This viewpoint of the women shows a want/need to reconstruct and change society, as it only strengthens the claim that there are odds to overcome in society and that domination and oppression is clearly at work in society and Survivor.

What do you see here?: 

What do you see here? A group of individuals?

Look closer…What do you see now?: 

Look closer…What do you see now? Four distinct groups?

Survivor: Cook Islands: 

Survivor: Cook Islands This change in the game forced the contestants to be grouped and stereotyped by race and as a result had to watch their choice of words and be scrutinized by the rest of society In the 13th season of Survivor, producers decided to divide the tribes according to race. The four groups were: African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and White American.

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Part of Paulo Friere’s theory is the use of critical literacy to expose societal power structures ( Friere , 1972), since there was a “Caucasian” tribe, this was an obvious showing of a societal power structure. It was even states that they had to be particularly careful of what they said. For example, generally it is a normal aspect of Survivor to brag about being better than the other tribes, however for this particular season, how would it look when the Caucasian team was bragging about superiority?

Producer’s Thoughts:: 

Producer’s Thoughts: “I’ve learned that the social time you spend is predominantly in your own ethic group. And that very much reminded me of Survivor, because you’re in the tribe, and yet that tribe is going to change. What happens when those people come together, as an integrated rather than a segregated group, and how the show handles those encounters, will be the most telling moments of the season ”

PowerPoint Presentation: 

This is also part of Paulo Friere’s theory as he states that critical literacy is supposed to expose societal power structures in order to raise critical consciousness in learners so they are empowered to create change ( Janks , 2010). This idea of showing an obvious racial divide is a way of using literacy to “break the silence” ( Janks , 2010) as it is allowing the viewer to develop their own opinions about the way in which the tribes have been divided. Through their not agreeing with what the producers have decided to do in this particular season, they are being forced to discuss and think about a topic that they may otherwise not.

How are these people grouped?: 

How are these people grouped?

PowerPoint Presentation: 

“Children” “Old Folks” “Underdogs” “Young” “Older” “Younger” “Antics”

How about now?: 

How about now?

Survivor: Old vs. Young: 

Survivor: Old vs. Young When the participants are divided into 40+ and 39 or below…… The Old Feel at a Loss

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Jimmy Johnson is visibly disappointed as he shows desperation to be a part of the younger tribe. His statements surrounding the younger participants “carrying” Jimmy throughout survivor shows the 66 year old views his age as a limitation. He is suggesting that youth have an instant advantage over the older tribe and this negative reaction emphasis society’s view. Society is portrayed to value young, able bodies.

However….: 

However…. Within this same divide…. The Young Feel Empowered

PowerPoint Presentation: 

Shannon’s private dialogue with the audience is a small but powerful example of how empowered the young tribe members felt upon being informed they will be forming a tribe. His demeanor is very confident and it is obvious he does not consider the older tribe members as threats. The two tribes ability is constantly compared is regards to their age. The comparisons work in tandem and as one tribe is viewed as more superior the other is deemed less skilled.

Survivor as a Reconstruction: 

Survivor as a Reconstruction

As future educators…: 

As future educators…

References: 

References Burnett, M. (Producer). (2003). Boys vs. girls [Television series episode]. In Burnett, M. (Producer), Survivor: Amazon. Los Angeles: Castaway Television Productions. Television. Burnett, M. (Producer). (2010). Young at heart [Television series episode]. In Burnett, M. (Producer), Survivor: Nicaragua. Los Angeles: Castaway Television Productions. Television. Janks , H. (2010). Literacy and power. New York: Routledge . Pahl K. & Rowsell J. (2010). Artifactual literacies : Every object tells a story. New York: Teachers College Press.