Collective IdentityCase Study:

Cornwall and the Cornish People

Why Cornwall?

What’s so special about the Cornish?

A unique culture, heritage and identity

• Cornwall has its own national identity - a recognised Celtic nation with its own flag

• Cornish has its own language

• 15% (30,000 people) identified themselves as ‘Cornish’ rather than ‘English’ in the last national census

• Has its own political party seeking Cornish independence ‘Mebyon Kernow’

• The Cornish are recognised as a distinct ethnic minority according to the EU constitution

A county with unique problem

• The average wage in Cornwall is 30% below average wage in the UK as a whole

• House prices are 30% higher, with unoccupied holiday homes affecting local communities

• The decline of traditional industries - mining, fishing, farming - has meant high levels unemployment

• The over-reliance on tourism means thousands of businesses are closed for 6 months of the year

Aims: To understand the ways in which different media represent the Cornish peopleTo be able to use the case study within your response to June’s exam

Watch the following two clips and make notes on the representations we are shown:

• Who is being represented?

• How are they being represented?

• How is this representation constructed?

• Is it a positive or a negative representation?

Wild West (BBC, 2004)

• Who is being represented? • How are they being represented? • How is this representation constructed?• Is it a positive or a negative representation?

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are needed to see this picture.

Flora danceQuickTime™ and a

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Flora Dance (2007)

•Who is being represented? •How are they being represented? •How is this representation constructed?•Is it a positive or a negative representation?

Aims: To understand the ways in which different media represent the Cornish peopleTo be able to use the case study within your response to June’s exam

Watch the following two clips and make notes on the representations we are shown:

• Who is being represented?

• How are they being represented?

• How is this representation constructed?

• Is it a positive or a negative representation?

Who is creating these representations?

Representations of the Cornish have been typically created by London-based media with the Cornish people as passive subjects.

As such, the representations have been largely negative stereotypes.

Online media and their democratic methods of production have given the Cornish people the power to play an active part in their own representation.

Methods include:• Creating online communities• Using social networking sites • Digital film and TV producers showcasing their work

online

This is having a positive effect over the Cornish collective identity.

Aims: To understand the ways in which different media represent the Cornish peopleTo be able to use the case study within your response to June’s exam

This presentation, as well as more information, and many useful links, can be seen at:

hhcollectiveidentity.blogspot.com