Advertising and Propaganda!

 

Imagine the following situation: Presentation at University

 

Individual Long Turn                                                                                                4-5 min

 

You study at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Due to the international character of your studies all lectures are held in English. In a seminar you have to introduce the topic.

 

 

• Outline the difference between advertising and propaganda
• Suggest how good advertising works
• Describe which role the new media play when it comes to manipulation

 

Paired Activity                                                                                                           8-10 min.

 

After your meeting you take some coffee with your fellow students. There you converse about aspects like:

 

• advertising, propaganda, marketing, greenwashing,…
• the way we are manipulated by the media
• the concept of “fake news” and the reliability of information in general
• possibilities to get unbiased information about important topics

 

https://www.dhm.de/lemo/kapitel/ns-regime

http://www.abbeycarefoundation.com/new-report-in-call-to-ban-alcohol-advertising-in-ireland/

 

 

 

Advertising vs. Propaganda

by Tracy Stefan

Advertising encourages your desire for consumer goods, services and ideas using suggestive images and captions. However, the motivation to buy what is advertised may stem from the belief promoted by what propaganda is. Through advertising, propaganda influences you emotionally to buy certain products, services and ideas. Advertisers use your latent desires to be rich, better looking or more popular to "direct" your purchasing habits. Propaganda is used by advertisers to influence consumer spending by presenting what is "desirable."

 

Advertising

Advertising uses multimedia techniques to promote products, services and ideas through a variety of different venues. Although mostly factually correct, advertising is formatted to persuade its audience to try its wares. Advertising permeates our culture in newspapers, magazines, the Internet, billboards, television and shopping malls. Through sensational, graphic displays, advertising promises consumers that using the products, services and ideas presented will change their lives for the better. The exaggeration of the facts in advertising is a technique used to influence the minds of consumers to change their spending habits and generate revenue. Hyperbole is also used in propaganda to actively influence opinions and social mood.

 

Propaganda

Advertising and propaganda are both powerful media tools that are often hard to differentiate. Propaganda is similar to advertising in that it employs the same multimedia formats in order to spread its message. However, unlike advertising, propaganda does not try to encourage the sale of a product, service or idea. Similar to a sales campaign, propaganda is a visual presentation used to change public attitudes about a particular person or subject. Propaganda that influences systems of education has the most lasting effect.

 

Types of Advertising

Advertising has two main audiences: consumers and businesses. Advertisers inform individuals and businesses what products, services and ideas are available for purchase, their special features, price and location. Advertisers preview new products, services and ideas through local, national and international markets. Advertising permeates all aspects of urban industrial society and has increasingly migrated to the Internet.

 

Types of Propaganda

Two of the most recognizable forms of propaganda are political and religious. Political propaganda is especially evident at election time when opposing candidates engage in "mud-slinging" campaigns in order to damage each others' reputation and gain influence. Propaganda is considered one of the most powerful arsenals in politics used to influence public opinion. Religious propaganda comes in many forms and essentially plays heavily on an individual's emotions, encouraging her to behave in a certain way. Other forms of propaganda include presentations that promote sexuality, racism, drugs, and healthcare and lifestyle choices. Propaganda can be positive when it is used to encourage a healthy lifestyle, for example. Propaganda is disseminated to or by individuals and businesses; ethnic, religious and political organizations; and governments at all levels. Special interest groups by the thousands spread propaganda about their particular causes.

 

 

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advertising-vs-propaganda-24409.html

Billy Eliot - Gender Roles

 

 https://www.wikihow.com/Analyze-a-Movie

 

Here are 10 study questions for Billy Elliot that cover themes, characters, and plot points:

1. Character Development: How does Billy’s relationship with his father change throughout the film? What events contribute to this evolution?

2. Themes of Identity: In what ways does Billy struggle with his identity, and how does ballet serve as a means of self-expression for him?

3. Socioeconomic Context: How does the backdrop of the miners' strike influence the characters and events in the film?

4. Gender Roles: How does Billy Elliot challenge traditional notions of masculinity? Provide specific examples from the film.

5. Influence of Mentorship: Discuss the role of Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy’s journey. How does she help him pursue his dreams?

6. Family Dynamics: Analyze the impact of Billy’s mother’s absence on his life and aspirations. How does her memory shape his decisions?

7. Symbolism: What is the significance of the dance sequences in the film? How do they reflect Billy’s internal struggles and aspirations?

8. Conflict: Identify the main conflicts in the story. How do these conflicts drive the narrative forward?

9. Cultural Representation: How does the film depict the working-class culture of Northern England in the 1980s? What insights does it offer into the struggles of that time?

10. Resolution and Growth: In the end, what does Billy learn about himself and his dreams? How does his journey reflect broader themes of perseverance and self-acceptance?

These questions should help facilitate discussion and deeper understanding of the film's core messages and characters.

 

Imagine the following situation: Movie Night at University

 

Individual Long Turn                                                                                                4-5 min

 

You study at the University of Natural Resources and Life Science, Vienna (BOKU) and you organise a movie night because you want to get to know other students. For your international colleagues you introduce the film before you show it.

 

• Make a short introduction to lead in the movie
• Give reasons why it is worth watching/ discussing it
• Try to give a short interpretation of this famous movie

 

Paired Activity                                                                                                           8-10 min.

After the film you take some drinks with your colleagues. There you converse about:

• several aspects of the movie, like conformism vs. individualism; etc.
• gender roles in Austria and discrimination against certain groups
• discrimination because of sexual orientation,
• chances and risks of migration to Austria
• the concept of Carpe Diem/ to seize the day

 

Future Energy Supply

Here’s a refined list of thought-provoking questions about future energy supply: What innovations in renewable energy technologies (like solar, wind, and hydro) are expected to reshape the energy landscape by 2030? How can advancements in battery storage and grid management enhance the reliability of intermittent renewable energy sources? What are the implications of nuclear power, including advanced reactors and fusion, for a low-carbon energy future? How can energy efficiency initiatives in industrial and residential sectors significantly reduce overall energy demand? What policies or incentives are most effective in promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies across different regions? In what ways can microgrids and decentralized energy systems empower local communities and improve energy resilience? How might climate change affect the viability of certain energy sources, and what adaptations are necessary for future energy strategies? What challenges do developing nations face in transitioning to sustainable energy systems while meeting growing energy demands? How will the rise of electric vehicles influence energy infrastructure, demand patterns, and the overall energy supply landscape? What role does international collaboration play in sharing technologies and strategies for achieving global energy sustainability?

Pollution/ Simpsons

 

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jul/24/animation.family

Environmental pollution comes in various forms, affecting air, water, soil, and even sound. Here are 15 kinds of environmental pollution:

 

 

1. Air Pollution: This involves the release of harmful gases, particulate matter, and biological molecules into the atmosphere, often from industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels.

2. Water Pollution: Contamination of water bodies like rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater by pollutants such as chemicals, pathogens, and waste products from industrial, agricultural, and urban sources.

3. Soil Pollution: Soil contamination occurs due to the presence of hazardous substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals, which affect soil fertility and can harm plants, animals, and humans.

4. Noise Pollution: Excessive noise from sources like traffic, industrial machinery, and urban development disrupts ecosystems, disturbs wildlife, and poses health risks to humans, including hearing loss and stress-related issues.

5. Light Pollution: Artificial light from streetlights, buildings, and vehicles can disrupt natural light cycles, impacting wildlife behaviour, disrupting ecosystems, and contributing to energy waste.

6. Thermal Pollution: This results from the release of heated water into natural water bodies from industrial processes, power plants, and urban runoff, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and alter water temperatures.

7. Plastic Pollution: The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, especially in oceans and waterways, poses significant threats to marine life, ecosystems, and human health through ingestion, entanglement, and chemical leaching.

8. Radioactive Pollution: The release of radioactive substances into the environment from nuclear power plants, mining operations, and improper disposal of radioactive waste poses long-term health risks to humans and ecosystems.

9. Visual Pollution: Unsightly visual elements such as litter, graffiti, and poorly maintained infrastructure degrade the aesthetic quality of the environment, impacting mental well-being and property values.

10. Biological Pollution: The introduction of invasive species, pathogens, and genetically modified organisms into ecosystems can disrupt the natural balance, threaten biodiversity, and cause ecological harm.

11. Electromagnetic Pollution: This includes electromagnetic radiation from sources such as power lines, wireless communication devices, and electrical appliances, which may have health impacts on humans and wildlife.

12. Chemical Pollution: The release of harmful chemicals and toxins into the environment from industrial processes, agriculture, and improper waste disposal poses risks to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.

13. Groundwater Pollution: Contamination of underground water reservoirs by pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals can render water unfit for consumption and agricultural use.

14. Acid Rain: Acidic precipitation resulting from the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere combines with atmospheric moisture, causing damage to forests, aquatic ecosystems, and infrastructure.

15. E-waste Pollution: Improper disposal and recycling of electronic waste, including computers, smartphones, and appliances, releases hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the environment, posing health and environmental risks.

Oral TASK: 

How would you characterise the Simpsons family? Give a short plot outline of “The Simpsons – Movie”. Why is it a film about environmental protection? What is largely criticised in this cartoon series?

You are a member of GREENPEACE http://www.greenpeace.org and you want to convince a good friend to join the organisation to fight against environmental pollution. Which arguments can you give?

In your opinion, are we sometimes as careless as the Simpsons family? What can everybody do, to make our world a better place to live? 

 

Torture/ AI/ UN/ LORD OF THE FLIES

 

UN Declaration of Human Rights

http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/

Amnesty International: Countries where Human Rights are violated:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/amnesty-international-reveals-the-10-worst-attacks-on-human-rights-across-the-world-last-year-a6892911.html

CIA Prisons: 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-prisons/trump-may-reinstate-secret-cia-black-site-prisons-u-s-officials-idUSKBN15922L

Quantanamo Bay

https://www.welt.de/img/english-news/mobile102019104/9452507737-ci102l-w1024/eng-guantanamo-T-BM-Bayern-Guantanamo-Bay-jpg.jpg

Abu Ghraib 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Ghraib_torture_and_prisoner_abuse

STANFORT PRISON EXPERIMENT: 

https://1d4chan.org/images/2/2a/Waterboarding_howto.jpg

MILGRAM EXPERIMENT

William Golding:"Lord of the Flies"

TASK 1: Monologue: 

You are a member of AI (Amnesty International) and you organise a meeting with your friends. You watch the movie “Lord of the Flies”, based on William Golding´s novel. After watching the movie, you give a short talk. You want to convince your friends to join the organisation to fight capital punishment worldwide.

•  Give a short summary of the text above and the famous book
• “Lord of the Flies”. Which connections can you draw?Analyse the violation of Human Rights today
• Argue why it is so important to become a member of AI (Amnesty International)
• Express your point of views concerning other NGOs

TASK 2: Dialogue: 

With a colleague you discuss the situation of Human Rights. Consider and discuss the aspects below:

•  migration and refugee streams in Europe
• possible solutions to help the people in their home countries
• education as a key to integration

Please watch the movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMBoYBapi8g

Interpretation:
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/flies/
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/l/lord-of-the-flies/study-help/film-versions