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

Planned Obsolescence

 

 

You are a member of Greenpeace and your local Landjugend Organisation. Your friends want to improve their English - so you organise a weekly evening about several topics. This week you want to present the topic planned obsolescence. In your kick-off speech you are going to address the following issues:

 

Imagine the following situation: Greenpeace Initiative

 

Monologue                                                                                        

 

• Describe how planned obsolescence works and why the economy seems to need it
• Outline how we can can teach people in our throw-away society to think in a more sustainable way
• What we can do to make people aware of this topic

 

Dialogue

 

After your presentation you talk to a visitor of the summit. In your conversation you talk about the following topics:

 

• why to buy sustainable products
• why it is better to buy local products – where you know where it comes from - than products from far away
• why should your friends also become a member of Greenpeace?

 

Linguistics

 

Use 
https://www.linguee.de/
  or
https://www.dict.cc/
to look up words you don´t know! 

You should be able to tell me about the history of the Englisch Language!

READ THESE TEXTS CAREFULLY:

https://www.lingualearnenglish.com/blog/featured/a-short-history-of-the-english-language/

https://www.englishclub.com/history-of-english/#targetText=History%20of%20English&targetText=The%20history%20of%20the%20English,is%20Denmark%20and%20northern%20Germany.

TASK: 
You have to be able to talk about the history of the English Language 

Give your very best and have fun!
HK

Romeo and Juliet

 

https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/

Study Questions: 

• 
  

Writing TASK:

Interpretation!!!

ACT I PROLOGUE Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life; […]

ACT V EPILOGUE PRINCE A glooming peace this morning with it brings; The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head: Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things; Some shall be pardoned and some punished. For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

• Give a short plot outline of the famous drama! Comment on the Prologue and the Epilogue of this famous play. What is meant by: “star-cross'd lovers”?

• Deal with topics, interesting to you! (e.g. Love and hate, love at the first sight, passion, sex, marriage, the church, religion, violence, death, drugs, friends and group pressure, committing suicide, enemies, relatives and parents, …)

• In your opinion, which measures are to be taken to prevent young people from committing suicide and lead a happy life?

In Time/ The Dystopian Genre

 

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

 

Here are 10 study questions for the movie In Time that explore its themes, characters, and societal implications:

1. Concept of Time: How does the film use time as a currency? What does this say about the value of life and societal structure?

2. Class Division: Discuss the social classes represented in In Time. How does the disparity between the rich and the poor affect the characters and their actions?

3. Protagonist’s Motivation: What drives Will Salas to take action against the system? How do his motivations evolve throughout the film?

4. Relationship Dynamics: Analyze the relationship between Will and Sylvia. How does their connection challenge or reinforce the film's themes of wealth and survival?

5. The Role of Authority: How are law enforcement and authority figures portrayed in the film? What do they represent in terms of control and oppression?

6. Moral Choices: Explore the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. What moral compromises do they make in their fight against the system?

7. Symbolism of Time: Discuss the significance of the clock tattoos and how they symbolize the characters' lives and struggles.

8. Rebellion and Resistance: How do Will and Sylvia's actions serve as a form of rebellion against the societal norms? What impact do they have on those around them?

9. Impact of Technology: How does the film depict the relationship between technology and society? In what ways does it contribute to the themes of control and freedom?

10. Ending and Reflection: What message does the film convey through its conclusion? How does it invite viewers to reflect on their own relationship with time and value?

These questions should help foster a deeper understanding of the film's themes and encourage critical thinking about its societal implications.

 

 https://www.guidesglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/life-expectancy-map.png

 

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. For your international colleagues you introduce the film before you show it.  

• Make a short introduction to lead in the movie
• Give reasons why this utopian movie is worth watching
• Give some examples of famous novels and films of the utopian genre
• Point out parallels between the movie and the real world, considering the concept of time zones and the life expectancies in the world
• Describe migration as an omnipresent phenomenon through history 

 

Paired Activity                                                                                                           8-10 min.

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

• several aspects of the movie, like rebellion, civic courage, civil disobedience, conformism vs. individualism; etc.
• discrimination in Europe/Austria against foreigners and people with different origin
• the problems and chances of migration and the solutions to fight discrimination in Austria/Europe

 

 

 

Simpsons/ Environmental Pollution

 

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?