Year 10 History: Depth Study 3 Name:_____________________________
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The nature of popular culture in Australia at the end of World War II, including music, film and sport
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Developments in popular culture in post-war Australia and their impact on society, including the introduction of television and rock ’n’ roll
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The changing nature of the music, film and television industry in Australia during the post-war period, including the influence of overseas developments (such as Hollywood, Bollywood and the animation film industry in China and Japan)
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Australia’s contribution to international popular culture (music, film, television, sport).
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Continuity and change in beliefs and values that have influenced the Australian way of life
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Refers to cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general masses of people. Traditionally, it referred to the culture of the lower and working classes and was seen as superficial and commercial.
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What you listen to, what you watch, what you read, what you wear, what sport you play and how you speak, including the use of technology, can all be examples of popular culture. Modern examples include; Harry Potter,
Twilight, Gossip Girl, The Simpsons, iPhone, Justin Bieber, skinny jeans etc…
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MUSIC
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The favorite music of the culture may include artists on the Top 100 or from the newest pop stars on YouTube.
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BOOKS AND FILMS
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Best selling books and popular films can play a big role in shaping the opinions and experiences of a culture.
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SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES, GAMING, APPS etc
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Interaction through social networking can provide the vehicle for people of all ages, races, interests and genders to quickly communicate and share their ideas.
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FASHION
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Fashion trends can be an indicator of both the current culture and the direction in which a popular is moving.
Casual clothes may reflect a more relaxed culture while fast-moving, quick-changing trends may echo the fastchanging cultural trends.
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SPORT
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Sport and leisure activities help to create a sense of community and help to define one’s culture on an
International level.
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AUSTRALIAN SLANG
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Language is a key way to communicate the goals, thoughts and experiences of popular culture. Multiple languages, slang expressions, new words for new experiences can all work together to describe the current culture.
(Reference: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/popular+culture and http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples/examples-of-culture.html)

During the post-war years and the economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s, youth became identified as a distinct social grouping, and 'teens’ were targeted as consumers with unique preferences.
Often teenagers defined themselves by rejecting the values, tastes and choices of their parents. Trends associated with the rebellion included the rejection of institutional marriage traditions, recreational drug use, and a general questioning of the supremacy of the monarchy, the church and the nuclear family. Demanding their individual rights, many grew their hair, and with compact transistor radios close to hand they embraced the rebellious sounds of rock’n'roll.
(Reference: http://dl.nfsa.gov.au/module/168/)
Watch ‘Gen X Y Z’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB8KpdHdhcg and identify some changing popular culture items over the generations.
Include references to technology, film, toys, music, film etc…
Baby Boomers
Generation X
Generation Y
Generation Z
Popular culture includes a wide range of activities that a large number of people in a society engage in. Since World War
II, Australia has developed strong industries in four key areas of popular culture: music, film, television and sport.
Australia has changed dramatically since 1945. Television and rock’n’roll music both arrived in 1956 and influenced subsequent generations. Sport has retained an important role in Australian life and our sense of identity. Our film industry emerged to tell Australian stories, and show the rest of the world what we were like.
By the start of the 21 st century, Australia had emerged as a country able to export popular culture to the world.
It has also absorbed an array of influences to create something uniquely Australian.
Foreign influences have been absorbed that reflect a multicultural heritage. British influence has always been important, and American culture has been increasingly popular throughout the 20 th century. Since World War II, Asian cultural influences have also started to emerge in a range of areas.
From that array of cultural influences, Australia has developed its own distinct culture. Music, film, television and sport have not only become ways of reflecting who we are but also enabled Australia to engage with the rest of the world.
(Reference: http://www.oup.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/321049/04_SAL_HIS10_1pp_spreads.pdf)
Questions.
1.
Identify items of Australian popular culture under the four headings ‘music, film, television and sport’.
2.
In what ways has Australia been shaped by ‘music, film, television and sport’? What does it say about our
Australian identity, values or sense of humour, for example?
3.
Why was television so important in shaping popular culture trends?
4.
Why is sport central to the Australian way of life and culture?
5.
How has multiculturalism influenced popular culture in Australia?
6.
List some examples of music, film, television and sport’ (past or present) that have helped Australia ‘engage with the rest of the world’.