Dancing Cossacks
This task can be completed by pencil and paper or online.
The Dancing Cossacks advertisement can be found at: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/video/dancing-cossacks. or here on Youtube.
- It is recommended that this assessment is used in conjunction with relevant topics that students may be studying in social studies, or that teachers have a discussion with students about communism, capitalism, world economic and political systems and the Soviet Union beforehand.
- Students watch the Dancing Cossacks political advertisement from the 1970s, before being handed the worksheet.
- Students are given the worksheet and are allowed time to look over the questions and begin to answer them.
- Teacher may replay clip for students up to three times.
- Remind students that this is an exercise in interpretation which draws on both the text and students' prior knowledge and experiences. There is no single correct answer, though it is important to explain to students that they need to make logical connections between the text and their interpretations of its meaning.
NOTE: There is no single correct interpretation of a text, and it can be interpreted at different levels (more or less 'deeply'). However, some interpretations are simply incorrect. Students need to make logical connections between text and their interpretation of its meaning.
This resource was trialled by 20 Year 9 students from two schools.
Task a) gets students to look at how the Labour party is linked to Communist Russia, to get them thinking about why this link has been made in the advertisement so that they are prepared to analyse the nature of the advertisement in task d).
Most students pointed out the relationship between government ownership and communism. Students also commonly mentioned the symbolism of the colour red, and how it has been used throughout the advertisement, associating it with the Labour Party, Communism, and Russia. Those who gave the most valid responses made the connection between the multiple meanings of the colour red in the advertisement.
Most students who gave visual examples from the advertisement did not elaborate on the meaning of them.
The way that all the buildings had Labour inc. on the side.
Those that did explored complex ideas of representation.
That all the dancers looked exactly the same is inforcing the communist idea.
Task b) According to the advertisement, what is the "real" reason for Labour's 8% tax increase?
Task b) gets students to indentify the main piece of 'evidence' that the advertisement is using so that students are prepared to assess the validity of it in task d).
Most students understood that the advertisement was claiming the 8% tax increase would be used by Labour to "buy the country" and "own everything." Those who expanded on this said that the reason for it would be to form a communist nation or a dictatorship. Almost all students misinterpreted a communist nation as communism (probably a confusion with a commune).
According to the advertisement, the 'real' reason for the 8% tax increase is so they can buy all of the land and form a communism
Task c) How are New Zealanders represented in the advertisement?
The most common and basic responses involved direct/explicit examples from the text, such as "farmers and half a million housewives", which the advertisement both shows and tells the viewer. Students who gave more complex responses made interpretations that involved what was represented in the text, as well as their understanding of the general themes presented.
In the advertisement, New Zealand is represented and portrayed as a hard-working nation which is innocent and should not be treated this badly. They were also stereotyped as housewives and farmers. And were pale-skinned.
The average NZer is shown as fairly normal but victimised by this "evil" political party. They are portrayed as slightly naive but not insultingly so.
Task d) Is this advertisement biased or not? Describe 3 examples from the advertisement to illustrate your answer.
Students who answered that the advertisement was not biased could not give valid examples from the advertisement to illustrate and validate their answer.
Most students answered yes, with a few giving expanded explanations as to why.
Yes it is biased because National is only saying labour is bad but not actually saying why National should be voted for/is better. + this accusation might not be 100% true.
Students who gave poor responses did not elaborate or give examples to validate their claims.
The way a Labour government is linked to communist Russia
Students who gave convincing answers used visual descriptors and evidence from their own knowledge to validate their answers.
They (National) represent the Labour Party as Communists. This is shown by the colour red, as this is the colour of Labour and communism.
This advertisement is biased, this is shown by: the way Labour politicians are drawn e.g. Big heads, warts etc.
They display Labours policy as a noose a.k.a a death trap. They also compare them to Soviet Russia, and that didn't turn out too well.
Having the jokers hand out the bill making it seem like an evil joke.
A number of students showed their understanding of the biased nature of the advertisement by highlighting the intensions of the advertisers.
It is made by National so it is completely biased which is their intention.
National Party made the advertisement so already it proves that they are against it because Labour is the opposing party.
Also students gave credible responses which engaged in critical analysis of the advertisement.
They don't actually say what Labour intended to do with the money.
- Discuss propaganda with students. What is it? Get students to look for examples in current media.
- Search for propaganda examples at Ngā Taonga.