Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Retired AFL star Adam Goodes is known to many for his resilient journey in the face of detrimental treatment by AFL spectators and the media beginning in 2013.
In this lesson, students gain the knowledge and skills to evaluate how power can be used by large organisations (such as the AFL) and to analyse how audiovisual and written texts convey this use of power. Using a drama activity, students will explore the concept of hard and soft power. Students then analyse the use of power and its intended impact on Adam Goodes and others in The Final Quarter. Students then analyse an AFL policy document, seeking to understand how it shows the AFL’s use of power. Drawing upon the knowledge gained throughout the class, students are asked to share and justify their opinions of the organisation’s actions, both verbally and in writing.
Using only archival footage aired at the time, The Final Quarter holds a mirror to Australia and is an opportunity to reconsider what happened on and off the football field. Learn more about the film here.
We highly recommend that students view the film in its entirety before participating in subsequent lessons. Our Watching the Film lessons are designed to support you in facilitating this process. Given the content, it is also important for teachers to communicate with parents and guardians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students before playing the film and/or engaging with the teaching and learning resources.
Note: This film may not be suitable for viewing by all young people. Teachers are advised to use their discretion when deciding whether to show this film. If teaching in a context with a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, it is imperative that guidance is sought from the Principal and Aboriginal Education Officer (or equivalent) prior to screening the film.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand the difference between hard and soft power.
- Students understand the impacts of the use of power.
- Students understand how power can be used effectively or ineffectively.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 9 English:
- Listen to spoken texts constructed for different purposes, for example, to entertain and to persuade, and analyse how language features of these texts position listeners to respond in particular ways (ACELY1740)
- Use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyse texts, comparing and evaluating representations of an event, issue, situation or character in different texts (ACELY1744)
Syllabus outcomes: EN5-1A, EN5-2A
General capabilities: Literacy, Intercultural Understanding, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding
Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures (OI.6, OI,9)
Relevant parts of Year 9 achievement standards: Students evaluate and integrate ideas and information from texts to form their own interpretations. They select evidence from texts to analyse and explain how language choices and conventions are used to influence an audience. They listen for ways texts position an audience.
Topic: Learning Through Film, Social Issues, Indigenous Education
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work: The Final Quarter – Mechanisms Of Power – English – Year 9
Time required: 70 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion.
Resources required:
- Device capable of presenting a video to the class
- Devices with internet capability
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Keywords: power, AFL, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, opinion, debate, documentary, The Final Quarter, Adam Goodes, policy, analysis.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
