WHAT IS CULTURE? / Media Literacy & Cultural Studies / Video + Activities

What Is Culture? | Stuart Hall | Cultural Studies, Media Literacy & Critical Thinking | Ages 7–14

20-Page Illustrated Companion Resource | Cultural Lens Series

What is culture? How do everyday objects, images, gestures, and traditions acquire meaning? Why can the same photograph, symbol, or piece of clothing mean something different to different people?

Inspired by the influential cultural theorist Stuart Hall, this beautifully illustrated 20-page companion resource introduces students ages 7–14 to the fascinating relationship between culture, meaning, representation, identity, and power.

Designed to accompany the animated educational documentary Cultural Lens: What Is Culture?, this resource transforms complex ideas from cultural studies into accessible, creative, and thought-provoking learning experiences.

What Students Will Learn

Through engaging visual activities and guided reflection, students will explore:
Culture and Shared Meanings: How people create and communicate meaning through everyday practices.
Symbols and Cultural Context: Why the same object can communicate different meanings in different situations.
Representation: How images, language, and media influence our understanding of the world.
Media and Interpretation: Why people can interpret the same photograph or news story differently.
Culture and Power: How certain ideas become widely accepted while others are questioned or challenged.
Cultural Change: How fashion, traditions, and symbols acquire new meanings over time.
Culture and Identity: How experiences, memories, relationships, and cultural environments shape who we are.

What’s Included?

20 beautifully designed, illustrated pages, featuring:

Accessible explanations of Stuart Hall’s central ideas

Original illustrations inspired by the Cultural Lens animated film

Visual analysis and observation activities

Symbol and meaning investigations

Media literacy and representation exercises

Critical thinking and open-ended discussion questions

Creative writing and reflection opportunities

Cultural identity and everyday-life explorations

A creative collage-based learning activity

Teacher guidance and suggested discussion approaches

Why This Resource Is Different

Perfect For

Cultural Studies and Social Studies

Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship

Visual Literacy

Critical Thinking and Philosophy for Children

Humanities and Interdisciplinary Learning

Art, Media, and Visual Culture

Classroom Discussions and Enrichment Activities

Activities can be adapted to different learning levels. Younger students may respond through drawing and discussion, while older students can develop more detailed written arguments and critical interpretations.

About Cultural Lens

Cultural Lens is an educational animated documentary series that explores culture, representation, identity, media, and power through artistic storytelling and accessible academic ideas.