Who Do I Think I Am? Student Book (Stage 6 English Studies Module L)

For HSC Stage 6 English Studies: Elective Module L: English and the Self

In Who Do I Think I Am?, students are presented with an enriching study of a variety of contemporary texts relating to identity. These include photographs, poems, documentary, and non-fiction texts. There are two core texts for this unit of work: selected episodes from the ABC tv series You Can't Say That and selected chapters from Trent Dalton's Love Stories.

By engaging with these texts, students will develop a range of skills for understanding, analysing, and making judgements about texts related to identity and the diverse range of experiences that impact the formation of an individual's sense of self. Through looking at the way composers explore the relationship between life experiences, storytelling, and perception of self, students will improve their empathy skills and gain a deeper understanding of the ways that language and storytelling shape who we are and how we present ourselves to the world in powerful ways.

Some activities also provide students with the opportunity for real-world engagement with their broader community by visiting a local retirement village, aged care facility (or similar), and conducting interviews, listening to, and documenting the stories of others. Such experiences enable students to foster positive connections with others and enhance their own self-esteem.

Contents

• Getting to Grips with Who Do I Think I Am? – English and the Self
• Unveiling Stories
• English and the Self: A Study of Short Texts
  • Text 1: It's the Sound of the Thing by Maxine Beneba Clarke
  • Text 2: 'Untitled (Blue, Green and Brown): Oil on Canvas: Mark Rothko' by Ocean Vuong
  • Text 3: The Wonder of Little Things by Vince Copley
• Core Text Study #1: ABC TV You Can't Ask That
• Core Text Study #2: Trent Dalton's Love Stories
• Collating Work for Your Portfolio
• Reflecting on Your Study of Who Do I Think I Am?