The lasting impacts of The Walt Disney Company within and beyond the classroom: A case study

Helm, Hannah

Abstract

This brief and reflective commentary piece discusses a series of outreach workshops entitled ‘Deconstructing Disney: Society, Culture, and Creativity’, which took place at Media City (University of Salford) in March 2023. The workshops were delivered to groups of school-age learners aged 14 to 16, and they focused on the social, cultural and political impact of The Walt Disney Company. Through the workshops, students were able to hone key critical thinking skills and build confidence by sharing viewpoints in a supportive and thought-provoking space. The workshops provided a stimulating and interactive platform in which students could explore the impact of Disney in society and culture, particularly through the lens of Disney films. The activities – which included analysis and discussion of the film clips and playing a game based on opinions about Disney – were both enjoyable and educational for students. By the end, students understood that Disney both implicitly and explicitly shapes our experiences and world-views, and that common stereotypes in Disney films ultimately influence how we perceive ourselves and others.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 30, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 30, 2024
• Publication Date: 2025-01
• Deposit Date: Apr 4, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 1, 2025
• Journal: International Journal of Disney Studies
• Print ISSN: 2976-7911
• Electronic ISSN: 2976-792X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 127-133
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/ijds_00008_7