Black Comedy - Series 4 (ATOM Study Guide)

Black Comedy (2019) is a sketch comedy series developed for the ABC, written by and starring some of the funniest Indigenous performers in the country. The fourth and final series of Black Comedy continues the witty, whacky, sometimes acerbic, but altogether unapologetic comedic exploration of what it means to be black in contemporary Australia.

Curriculum Links:

The Australian Curriculum acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures as a cross curriculum priority in all learning areas. Black Comedy provides a resource for students to learn about:

• The lives of Indigenous Australians
• Contemporary Indigenous Australian society
• Relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

The series engages students in discussions about Indigenous Australian identity and allows students to examine the key concepts of Country/Place, Culture and People and to engage in discussions about reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world's oldest continuous living cultures. Through viewing the series students will consider the historic and contemporary impacts of colonisation and will be able to understand that contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are strong, resilient, rich and diverse.

In addition, Black Comedy provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to see themselves, their identities and their cultures portrayed on screen in a television series made for a mainstream Australian audience.

In Year 10, Black Comedy can be used as a resource in Civics and Citizenship, Drama, English, History and Media. Teachers are advised to consult the Australian Curriculum documentation for these subjects, as well as curriculum documents for these subjects endorsed by their state or territory.

For students in Years 11 and 12, Black Comedy has relevance to units of work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Australian History, Drama, English and Media.