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lawyertood
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul, Incheon and the World--working undercover for the MOJ
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 Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:49 am Post subject: Please recommend an American TV show that depicts Amer. Cult |
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| I'm teaching a course this upcoming semester on American Society and Culture. The course is once a week for three hours. I would like to use one hour to use video or TV to depict American culture. Can anyone recommend a good American television series that depicts American culture as it stands today? I've been in Korea for 13 years so my knowledge of what has been on TV in America is extremely limited. Thanks in advance. |
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Gnawbert
Joined: 23 Oct 2007
Location: The Internet
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:37 am Post subject: |
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My hagwon students absolutely *love* LOST, not because it just has a Korean couple in it but because there are a lot of different cultures in the show and accents too. Plus, the storyline gets them going every which way including crazy about time travel and stuff. It's not a cultural show by any means, but I was impressed how many of them really picked up on it.
THE OFFICE might make them laugh at times. I know I sure enjoy it. |
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Carla
Joined: 21 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:46 am Post subject: |
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| Friends? It's yes and no at the same time. |
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kirsi
Joined: 29 May 2009
Location: dongtan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: |
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not sure about the office, that kind of humor might be hard to understand.
24!!! |
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bassist33
Joined: 07 Jul 2009
Location: Mok-dong, Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:20 am Post subject: |
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| It's not a fictional series, but PBS has a series called This American Life. Each episode is based on a theme and explores the personal accounts of three different stories in America. It's a pretty good show that tugs at the heart strings, though sometimes it can be a little sappy. I think it would be a great way to truly introduce your students to American life. Good luck! |
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iggyb
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:09 am Post subject: |
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I can't think of a name off the top of my head, but I'd think about finding some of the high school-centered dramas. There have been many of those over the years, and they go out of their way to hit on cultural themes - more so than an adult sit-com.
You can also use older ones to contrast the periods of America - like Happy Days for post-WWII 1950s. Wonder Years for the transition into the great changes of the 1960s early 70s. 90210 for the late 80s to mid 1990s. And so on... |
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Scamps
Joined: 01 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:15 am Post subject: |
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Roseanne
Everybody Hates Chris |
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Evanzinho
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Location: California
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| Married...with Children |
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bassist33
Joined: 07 Jul 2009
Location: Mok-dong, Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 11:53 am Post subject: |
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| iggyb wrote: |
I can't think of a name off the top of my head, but I'd think about finding some of the high school-centered dramas. There have been many of those over the years, and they go out of their way to hit on cultural themes - more so than an adult sit-com.
You can also use older ones to contrast the periods of America - like Happy Days for post-WWII 1950s. Wonder Years for the transition into the great changes of the 1960s early 70s. 90210 for the late 80s to mid 1990s. And so on... |
I don't think that today's high school centered dramas display american life in any way. They are an over-dramatic portrayal of how materialistic and selfish American youth can be. I wouldn't share these with your students unless you want them to begin acting the same way (or any worse than they already do)
Wonder Years, that would be perfect! |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with bassist. TV shows that get high ratings are over top and do not portray Americana, but then reality is boring and won't interest students so a compromise has to be made.
Everybody Loves Raymond
Dawson's Creek
Frasier
Boston Commons
Yes, they are all so passe, I haven't watched TV for long time, either. |
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myeo
Joined: 04 Aug 2009
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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| "Friday Night Lights" depicts America to a certain extent. It displays the stereotypical American family and the country's fascination with American football. |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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| The Wire |
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warren pease
Joined: 12 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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The Office
Roseanne |
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DCJames
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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Tyra Banks' Show
Survivor |
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greasypeanut
Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Location: songtan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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OC!!!!
LAGUNA BEACH!!!
im from orange county, and when people find out about that, they ask if the shows are really like that. |
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