This document discusses representations of social class in television and film over time. It notes that historically, only the upper classes were prominently featured but representation became more diverse as more people gained access to television. However, stereotypes still exist where the upper classes are depicted as rich and posh, middle classes as normal, working classes as poorer and less intelligent, and lower classes as criminal with no family values. The document then discusses how modern studies have identified seven new social classes in Britain based on factors like economic, cultural and social capital.

1. Representations of
Social Class
G322: Key Media Concepts – TV Drama

2. What is social class?
Define it!
THINK PAIR SHARE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K
2k1iRD2f-c

3. Stereotypes surrounding class
Create a table which lists the associations you
can think of for working, middle and upper
classes.
WORKING MIDDLE UPPER

4. Class Representations
The representation of people from different
classes has changed massively over the years.
Up until the 1950’s, the upper classes were
the class mainly shown on tv and in film. This
is because they were some of the only people
able to afford to go to the cinema and own a
television. As more and more people from
working class background watch TV, more and
more TV programmes feature working class
characters.
Corrie’s first
episode aired on
December 9th
1960

5. Having said that, there are still some stereotypes
associated with different classes:
• Upper Classes (eg Made in Chelsea) – often
shown as rich, clever, snobby, very posh
• Middle Classes (eg My Family)– often shown as
“normal”, good family values, well behaved
• Working Classes (eg Coronation Street) – often
shown as poorer, less happy, less intelligent, but
with strong community links
• Lower / Under Classes (eg Shameless) – often
shown as being criminals, no family values, no
community links, bad parents etc

6. This is a modern world…
Whilst some of those class division terms are still useful, there are arguments
that they are less relevant in describing modern day class structures. A
recent survey revealed seven new classes in modern Great Britain:
• Elite – the most privileged class with high levels of all three capitals; their
high amount of economic capital sets them apart
• Established Middle Class – gregarious and culturally engaged, with high
levels of all three capitals although not as high as the Elite
• Technical Middle Class – a new, small class with high economic capital but
seem less culturally engaged, with relatively few social contacts
• New Affluent Workers – a young and active group with medium levels of
economic capital and higher levels of cultural and social capital
• Emergent Service Workers – young and often found in urban areas, this is
a new class with low economic capital but high levels of 'emerging'
cultural capital and high social capital
• Traditional Working Class – although not the poorest, this class scores
low on all three capitals; they tend to be older than the others
• Precariat – the most deprived class with low levels of economic, cultural
and social capital; their everyday lives are precarious

7. Oliver Twist
Carousel Activity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEAUjTTT_8M&list=PLyT2W9O-
pd7r6wwSmc7rPec3N5FIfSo0R&index=1
We will watch the clip 3 times. Each table
represents one of the 4 codes. I will split you into
4 groups and for each screening as a group you
will move to a different table. Each person must
note down at least one (aim for two!) techniques
from that code and its connotation(s) on every
table.

9. The Great British Class Survey
(Just for fun!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-
22000973
Feel free to take the test in your own time, but bare in mind it’s
probably more reliable to base your answers on your
parent/guardians’ situation than your own – unless you already
have a mortgage and full time job!