The transformation of Disney pedagogy: An analysis of the changes in representations of religion, morality, and culture in animated cinema

This research aims to reveal Disney's methods of value education by examining the transformation of religious, moral, and cultural values in Disney animations over time, parallel to changes in social structure. Document analysis, a qualitative research method, was used as the method, and content analysis and film analysis were conducted in line with established criteria. This study used a sample of fourteen units determined through criterion sampling. Ten of these films were analyzed, revealing their representations of religious, moral, and cultural values. It was observed that these religious, moral, and cultural values differed across four periods: Classical, Renaissance, Revision, and Renewal. Accordingly, the transformations in value representations between periods were systematically demonstrated. It was determined that Disney structured values education in five distinct ways: explicit, allegorical, symbolic, metaphorical, and cinematic. Four additional films were then selected from the criterion sample using a purposive sampling method. The structure and presentation of these five narrative forms in the films was concretized. The research found that Disney adhered strictly to Christian theological understanding in its representations of religious values, contrary to popular belief. It was observed that Disney followed a line closer to Protestantism over time, deepening Old Testament narratives in its films. It was determined that universal moral principles were prioritized in moral value representations throughout all periods, and that these representations were largely informed by humanist values. While some improvements have been made in cultural representations over time, it has been determined that they are still not free of problematic representations and that dominant cultural norms persist. Furthermore, a significant increase in narratives addressing environmental issues has been observed in Disney's recent work. It was concluded that Disney not only provides entertainment through animated films but also provides informal values education through its unique narrative structure encompassing religious, moral, and cultural content.