This document discusses representation of ability and disability in television drama. It begins with definitions of ability and disability, then discusses typical binary oppositions between able-bodied and disabled characters. Common stereotypes are listed where able-bodied characters are portrayed as capable, in control, and intelligent, while disabled characters are subservient, weak, ignored, and less intelligent. It notes the drama is usually experienced from the able-bodied point of view. Students then analyze representation in a clip from "Coming Round the Mountain" by considering editing, sound, mise-en-scene, and camerawork techniques. They are assigned homework to analyze representation of ethnicity and class in "Hotel Babylong" and take notes on

1. AS Media Studies
Analysis of the representation of ability
and disability in television drama

3. Definition of terms
O What does ability mean?
O Having the skill or means to do something
O What does disability mean?
O Having a condition that limits one’s skill or
ability to do something

4. Typical binary oppositions
O Being able bodied / having ability:
O ‘normal’
O ‘skilled’
O ‘intelligent’
O ‘able’
O Being less abled / disabled
O ‘abnormal’
O ‘different’
O ‘other’
O ‘less intelligent’
O ‘less able’

5. Common stereotypes in
television drama
O Able-bodied characters are represented as:
O Capable
O In control / dominant
O In positions of power
O More intelligent
O More popular
O Disabled characters are represented as:
O Subservient
O Weak
O Ignored
O Less intelligent
O From whose point of view are we likely to ‘experience’ the drama from?
O Able-bodied character
O Which of the two groups (abled/disabled) are part of the dominant group in
society?
O Able-bodied characters

6. Consolidating Learning
Bringing together your knowledge of camerawork,
editing, sound and mise-en-scene

7. Sharing homework
O How is ability/disability and age represented
in the clip?
O We are going to watch the clip once more
O You will be assigned a number from 1-4.
Using the notes page
O 1s make notes on editing
O 2s make notes on sound
O 3s make notes on mise-en-scene
O 4s make notes on camerawork

8. Analysis of
Coming Round the Mountain

9. Sharing Notes
O All 1s go to Table 1
O All 2s go to Table 2
O All 3s go to Table 3
O All 4s go to Table 4
O Share your notes – you will be feeding back
your analysis to your original group so make
sure they are detailed!

10. Return to your
original table
Present your notes to the rest of the
group.
Record notes on the three other areas on
on your grid

11. Timed Writing!
How is ability and disability, and age, represented
in the clip from Coming Round the Mountain
Refer to detailed examples from all four technical
areas plus detail from the clip
Remember to use TRIANGULATION in your
answer!

12. Homework for Easter
O Write the Key Assignment focusing on
representation of ethnicity and class/status
in Hotel Babylong
O Watch the clip from Doc Martin and prepare
notes for the first lesson back