The myths that bind us : a critical discourse analysis of Canada : a people's history
Date
2006-03-31
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Volume Title
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ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The 32- hour documentary series Canada: A People’s History was aired in 2000-2001 and has been widely disseminated: it is now available as video and DVD sets and has been aired in at least nine languages. In this thesis I examine the packaging of the series, that is, the images and promotional blurbs on the boxed DVD set and the introductory and concluding segments of the series, and I intensively examine Episode 10 “Taking the West” (1873-1896). Through Critical Discourse Analysis, I closely examine the language and other semiotic material used in Canada: A People’s History to analyse power relationships in the series. As well as paying attention to the overall structure of the verbal and visual text, I am attentive to the way in which grammar and words are used, and the representation that is portrayed through these elements. In this thesis, I find that while the series does include women and Aboriginal people, Canada: A People’s History’s use of language and images portrays a Canadian identity that privileges Whiteness and masculinity and that presents current power imbalances in society as natural and inevitable. By devaluing women and Aboriginal people in its representation, Canada: A People’s History lends legitimacy to the systemic discrimination against women and Aboriginal people in Canadian society. I find that the series presents past events as inevitable, over which people had no control or influence, and I argue that this presentation encourages people to accept the current situation, rather than challenging it and seeking alternatives.
Description
Keywords
discourse analysis, canadian identity, poststructuralism
Citation
Degree
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Department
Educational Foundations
Program
Educational Foundations