Foolestroupe: Both those books by Orwell are in the Alberta curriculum. I use both every few years (although it would be great if there was a new movie to accompany "1984"). The old one was never all that good despite having some decent actors in it.

Part of the difficulty I encounter with a few aspect of media study--which I slip into the more formal "English" courses--is that the world has changed substantially, and television, commercials, the 'big sell' are necessary parts of life for kids. It is a cast-iron sonuvabitch to undo the brainwashing that has happened over the years.