Social Issues & the Media

FEMININITY
Directions: Study the various images and advertisements with your group and create a poster. On
the poster, you will both define your social issue and identify a problem with the way society
regards it.
Part 1: Think & Sort
Study the various images and advertisements with your group and then answer the
following
How are women and femininity portrayed in the media?
List FOUR observations. Consider the following:

What stereotypes about women and femininity do these images and advertisements reveal?
According to these images and advertisements, what roles and responsibilities do women
have?
What does it mean to "act like a woman" or "look like a woman"?
If media reflects society, then what do these images reveal about society's expectations for
women?

1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Choose 6-10 images or advertisements that relate to femininity. Look for images/ads
that relate to the observations you made above.
Part 2: Post & Reflect
1. At the top of your poster, write your definition of femininity.
2. Divide your poster into four quarters label each quarter with one of the observations
you made above.
3. Paste the ads/images under the appropriate label. Each quarter should have at least
ONE image/ad.
4. In the center of your poster, make a CLAIM in which you identify a problem with the
way femininity is regarded in society.

Social Issues & the Media

MASCULINITY

Directions: Study the various images and advertisements with your group and create a poster. On
the poster, you will both define your social issue and identify a problem with the way society
regards it.
Part 1: Think & Sort
Study the various images and advertisements with your group and then answer the
following
How are men and masculinity portrayed in the media?
List FOUR observations. Consider the following:

What stereotypes about men and masculinity do these images and advertisements reveal?
According to these images and advertisements, what roles and responsibilities do men have?
What does it mean to "act like a man" or "look like a man"?
If media reflects society, then what do these images reveal about society's expectations for
men?

1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Choose 6-10 images or advertisements that relate to masculinity. Look for images/ads
that relate to the observations you made above.
Part 2: Post & Reflect
1. At the top of your poster, write your definition of masculinity.
2. Divide your poster into four quarters one for each of the observations you made
above. Label each quarter with the observation you made above.
3. Paste the ads/images under the appropriate label. Each quarter should have at least
ONE image/ad.
5. In the center of your poster, make a CLAIM in which you identify a problem with the
way masculinity is regarded in society.

Social Issues & the Media

ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE AND ABUSE
Directions: Study the various images and advertisements with your group and create a poster. On
the poster, you will both define your social issue and identify a problem with the way society
regards it.
Part 1: Think & Sort

 Study the various images and advertisements with your group and then answer the
following
How are alcohol and substance use and abuse portrayed in the media?
List FOUR observations. Consider the following:

What are the various motives for using alcohol or drugs?

What are the various effects of using alcohol or drugs?
How are people who use alcohol or drugs regarded in the media?
What kinds of messages do these images and advertisements send about using alcohol and
drugs?

1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Choose 6-10 images or advertisements that relate to alcohol and drug use and abuse.
Look for images/ads that relate to the observations you made above.
Part 2: Post & Reflect
1. At the top of your poster, write your definition of alcohol use and drug abuse.
2. Divide your poster into four quarters one for each of the observations you made
above. Label each quarter with the observation you made above.
3. Paste the ads/images under the appropriate label. Each quarter should have at least
ONE image/ad.
6. In the center of your poster, make a CLAIM in which you identify a problem with the
way alcohol and drug use and abuse is regarded in society.

Social Issues & the Media

MENTAL ILLNESS
Directions: Study the various images and advertisements with your group and create a poster. On
the poster, you will both define your social issue and identify a problem with the way society
regards it.
Part 1: Think & Sort

 Study the various images and advertisements with your group and then answer the
following
How are people with mental illness portrayed in the media?
List FOUR observations. Consider the following:

What impressions do these ads and images give about mental illness?
What characteristics or personality traits are associated with mental illness?
Do these images and advertisements reveal any stereotypes that are associated with people
who have mental illnesses?

1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Choose 6-10 images or advertisements that relate to mental illness. Look for
images/ads that have commonalities.
Part 2: Post & Reflect
4. At the top of your poster, write your definition of mental illness.
5. Divide your poster into four quarters one for each of the observations you made
above. Label each quarter with the observation you made above.
6. Paste the ads/images under the appropriate label. Each quarter should have at least
ONE image/ad.
7. In the center of your poster, make a CLAIM in which you identify a problem with the
way mental illness is regarded in society.

Social Issues & the Media

SOCIAL CLASS
Directions: Study the various images and advertisements with your group and create a poster. On
the poster, you will both define your social issue and identify a problem with the way society
regards it.
Part 1: Think & Sort
Study the various images and advertisements with your group list FOUR observations.
Consider the following

List FOUR observations. Consider the following:

What conflicts and differences between classes do these ads and images reveal?
What associations can be made with those people belonging to the upper class? The lower or
middle class? What are their values? What are their characteristics?
What stereotypes do these images reveal about people belonging to the upper class? The lower
or middle class?

1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Choose 6-10 images or advertisements that relate to social class. Look for images/ads
that have commonalities.
Part 2: Post & Reflect
1. At the top of your poster, write your definition of social class.
2. Divide your poster into four quarters one for each of the observations you made
above. Label each quarter with the observation you made above.
3. Paste the ads/images under the appropriate label. Each quarter should have at least
ONE image/ad.
4. In the center of your poster, make a CLAIM in which you identify a problem with the
way social class is regarded in society.