http://www.metromagazine.com.au https://theeducationshop.com.au A STUDY GUIDE BY © ATOM 2019 ISBN: 978-1-76061-XXX-X ATOM CONTENT HYPERLINKS 3 CURRICULUM LINKS 5 SERIES SYNOPSIS 7 PARTICIPANTS 10 DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT 10 PRODUCER’S STATEMENT 11 TIMELINE 11 BEFORE VIEWING 12 VIEWING CHART 1 13 VIEWING CHART 2 15 KEY THEMES THIS IS A REMARKABLE 15 CLOSE ANALYSIS AND GRIPPING STORY – 16 EPISODE ONE: UNSEEN, HAIR-RAISING, UNFATHOMABLE UNHEARD, UNKNOWN AND DEEPLY DISTURBING. The Cult of The Family (2019) directed by Rosie Jones is a three-part investigation into the rise and fallout of Australia’s most notorious cult. With survivors and former cult members telling their stories alongside the Australian detectives and the investigative journalist who worked the 23 AFTER VIEWING case, The Cult of The Family exposes not just The Family but also the conservative community 23 CREATIVE TEAM that allowed it to flourish. 24 FURTHER INFORMATION 24 CREDITS TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WGJ606k2sE DURATION: 3 x 58 minutes 2019 © ATOM 2 + CURRICULUM LINKS The Cult of The Family is suitable for secondary students in Years 10 – 12 studying English, Ethics, Health and Human Development, Legal Studies, Media, Psychology and Sociology. ENGLISH MEDIA The Cult of The Family can be used as an individual or The Cult of The Family can be used to study the documentary’s supplementary text. Students should study texts that explore ethical representation of events, people, organisations, places and ideas. dilemmas in real-world settings. It is also recommended that Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to: students have access to non-fiction texts that represent a synthesis of information from credible and verifiable sources. • understand the codes and conventions that are used to construct media narratives; Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to: • analyse media narratives to understand how meaning is • identify and discuss key aspects of the documentary; constructed and how audiences are engaged; • comprehend, appreciate and analyse the way in which the • learn that media narratives are created through a process of documentary is constructed and may be interpreted; selection, construction and representation; • construct spoken, written and multimodal responses to the • analyse and discuss the selection of images, words, sounds documentary. and ideas and the ways in which these are presented, related and ordered; ETHICS • understand how media representations are subject to multiple readings by audiences who construct meaning based on a range of personal, contextual, social and institutional factors. The Cult of The Family can be used to discuss the principles that guide practical moral judgment and the justification for moral choices – identifying the arguments and analysing the reasoning PSYCHOLOGY behind them. Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to: The Cult of the Family can be used to study aspects of social psychology by examining interpersonal and group behaviour. • examine concepts used in ethics and ethical decision-making, It is generally accepted that a key factor in the psychological such as ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘right’ and ‘wrong’; wellbeing of individuals depends on the extent to which the need • identify the factors involved in the process of ethical decision- for affiliation is met – a sense of belonging and connectedness making, such as reasoning, conscience, intuition, common sense, whether it be to family, a group, a school or workplace, or a wider assumptions, authorities, world views, values, ethical principles community. and the competing rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups and society. Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to: • explain how attitudes are formed and changed; HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT • analyse how behaviour and perceptions of self and others are shaped by social and cultural influences including the attitudes and behaviours of groups; The Cult of The Family can be used to explore the complex interplay • discuss the factors that affect the behaviour of individuals and of biological, sociocultural and environmental factors that support groups; and improve health and wellbeing and those that put it at risk. • understand the interplay of factors that shape the behaviour of Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to: individuals and groups. • the impact of early life experiences on future health and development; SOCIOLOGY • examine how health and wellbeing may be influenced across the lifespan by the conditions into which people are born, grow, live, The Cult of The Family can be used to study human behaviour and work and age; in particular, the social institution of the family and the purpose • analyse the role of healthy and respectful relationships in the and experiences of family life portrayed in the documentary. achievement of optimal health and wellbeing. In addition, the documentary can be used to study concepts of deviance and crime. The study of deviance and crime from LEGAL STUDIES a sociological perspective involves ascertaining the types and degree of rule-breaking behaviour, examining traditional views The Cult of The Family can be used to investigate the ways in of criminality and deviance and analysing why people commit which the law and the legal system relate to and serve individuals, crimes or engage in deviant behaviour. particularly children, and the community. In addition, the Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to: documentary can be used to study the administration of justice. • consider definitions of family and key influences on family life; Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to: • examine the ways people create and experience family life; • analyse the institution of family; • understand how laws are used by society to preserve social • explain the role that family plays in terms of influencing the cohesion, and to ensure the protection of people from harm and values and behaviours of family members; from the infringement of their rights; • explore the concepts of deviance and crime; • acquire an understanding of legal rights, responsibilities and • Investigate the threat a subculture or group may pose to the ways in which individuals can engage in the legal system; social values and culture of broader society. • understand the need for effective laws and legal processes; • apply legal reasoning and decision-making to contemporary 2019 © ATOM cases and issues; • engage in analysis and evaluation of existing legal processes and form opinions about the operation of the legal system. 3 Teachers are advised to consult the Australian Curriculum online at https://www.australiancurriculum. edu.au/ and curriculum outlines relevant to their state or territory for further information. The series is also a valuable resource for students undertaking certificate and tertiary courses in Children and Family Services, Community Services, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work and Media, Film and Journalism. The curriculum in this study guide is organised into three sections: • Before viewing The Cult of The Family – This section provides opportunities for students to engage in a discussion of ideas and issues rel- evant to the documentary series. • Close analysis of The Cult of the Family – This section of the study guide provides opportuni- subject matter of The Cult of The Family upsetting, ties for students to make a close analysis of the particularly some of the accounts of the treatment documentary series. of the children. Teachers need to provide students • After viewing The Cult of The Family – This with a safe and supportive classroom environment. section provides opportunities for students to It is important to recognise that some students may pursue further investigations of ideas and issues not want to share their responses to some tasks. relevant to the documentary series. In addition, students should be reminded that a classroom discussion is a public forum and that some information should not be disclosed in this The activities in each section promote student engage- context. If teachers feel students may say some- ment and active participation via individual reflection, thing inappropriate, a useful strategy to prevent this class discussions, and small group and team work. is protective interruption, which means interrupting Multiple activities are provided to allow teachers to students before they disclose, while at the same select those which will best suit the demands of the time informing them they can talk privately with the subject and the needs of the students. teacher after class. In the event that students do disclose personal issues, it is crucial that teachers Teachers are advised to preview the series before be aware of school and legal procedures for dealing showing it to students. Some students may find the with disclosures. © ATOM 2019 © ATOM 4 over three continents, Anne walks away without a jail sentence and just a paltry $5,000 fine. How did she get off so lightly? How did Anne main- tain a hold over her followers? And how did such a notorious group come to flourish? The series tracks Operation Forest as it tries to uncover who Anne really was and how she recruited Dr Raynor Johnson, respected Melbourne University College Master, to co-found the cult. It investigates the role of Newhaven, a private psychiatric hospital that Anne used as a cult recruiting