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"Can we fix it?": Bob the Builder as a discursive resource for children

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dc.contributor.authorFreed, Brianna, author
dc.contributor.authorBroadfoot, Kirsten, advisor
dc.contributor.authorAoki, Eric, advisor
dc.contributor.authorHarvey, Ashley, committee member
dc.contributor.authorAoki, Eric, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T06:51:14Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T06:51:14Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractThis thesis examines the discourses and representations constructed in the popular children's television series Bob the Builder--a discursive resource that engages work as its central theme. Through a critical cultural lens, the study uses critical discourse analysis and visual semiotics to explore the constructions of work/er, organization, non-work activities, family, gender, and diversity as they are (re)presented in the show. The study found that Bob the Builder distinctly (re)presents values of the postmodern, postindustrial worker of Western, advanced corporate capitalism. Leisure and play are portrayed as activities which, ideally, do not affect work. Family is equally placed in the periphery as family members are either placed entirely outside the organization--as with Wendy's family--or as contributing members to its operation--as with Bob's family. Gender representations are problematized by Wendy's denied occupational identity as a builder equal to her male counterpart. Diversity in the show is problematic with minimal non-White ethnic representation and two overtly stereotypical representations of supporting characters. Directions for future research are offered in the conclusion.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierFreed_colostate_0053N_12057.pdf
dc.identifierETDF2010500005COMU
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/84584
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relationCatalog record number (MMS ID): 991014241689703361
dc.relationPN1992.8.C46.F744 2010
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectdiscursive resources
dc.subjectBob the Builder
dc.subjectchildren's media
dc.subjectleisure
dc.subjectwestern work
dc.subjectwork identity
dc.title"Can we fix it?": Bob the Builder as a discursive resource for children
dc.title.alternativeCan we fix it?: Bob the Builder as a discursive resource for children
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineCommunication Studies
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts (M.A.)

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