Women and Media Spring 2015: Who Am I?

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Who Am I?

Who am I? I'm Alex Obed, a 21 year old college student trying to figure out his life, as most students are. I was born in Queens and raised in a beach town on Long Island known as Long Beach. Media is an important facet in everyone's life in todays modern society. I partake in the "media essentials", the big 3, facebook, twitter and instagram. I am definitely influenced by others around me in the sense of joining social media. I joined all these platforms whenever they boomed and all my friends had them and didn't want to be lost in the shuffle. Even when things like Vine and Tumblr were a big thing (maybe they still are but not as much) I was very quick to hop on the bandwagon. We all join these things as a way to connect and share our experiences with everyone around us. Whether it's sharing or reposting a major news headline or taking a picture of what you ate for breakfast, social media is the new norm in society.

Media is the ultimate influence on everyone today. Media will tell you where to go and why. It will show you what you need to look like and todays latest trends. It will define whats good or whats bad for you without having to think too much about it. It will decide whats "news worthy" and important for you. Media is powerful, and I think most people underestimate or are oblivious to its influence.

I personally was one of those "foodie" instagram posters for a while where I felt the need to share every single meal of the day. It got to the point where I would look up places to eat with my friends and decided where based upon if whatever I ordered would look good under whichever filter on instagram. I was one of those people obsessed with likes and wasn't satisfied if I didn't meet my "quota". I've definitely cut back on that as of late to not make that a part of my identity. Even with most things, I try my best to form my own opinion by taking in all the facts, reading multiple takes on different things in order to explore all views and aspects on a certain thing. I find it good to just sit back and observe the world around you because theres so much to take in.

http://instagram.com/alexobed

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GCFebruary 7, 2015 at 2:07 AM
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**FINAL PROJECTS due (5/9 for a few) on 5/16-

*attendance is mandatory on both days and YOU MUST BE IN CLASS ON TIME Please be prepared to stay 30mins later until 2:30pm on 5/16 *as needed.

Be prepared to present your projects to the class in approximately 7 minute presentations. Visuals are a must. Feel free to bring physical props and handouts if appropriate. Remember you are ”pitching” the project to the class. Prepare a succinct and exciting summary of the project that is clear and makes the class want to look further at your project and potentially share the project, promote it and even get involved!

You must create a POST for your final project on the class blog. This is a portion of your final grade. The post must include a link to your project, a clear and well written summary, images and/or videos. You will present from your post. Your project must live in the world (online or not) but all components of your project and presentation must link fromthe blog post somehow. Your resource list/bibliography must be included in your post or handed in to me on 5/16.

Print projects: papers, zines and pamphlets must be physically handed in to me on the day you present. This is only for print projects. Of course you must create a blog post from which you will present the project as well. Whenever appropriate (for zines and pamphlets especially) print several copies to pass around the class or print enough for distribution.

Quick checklist:

-clear and well written summary on the class blog along with images and any videos

-link to your project (including pdf projects) which lives elsewhere in the world must be clearly included in your post

-presentations (5 minutes) will be from your blog post and must be linked directly from the post PLEASE CHECK YOUR POST and be sure LINKS and images are working BEFORE ARRIVING IN CLASS.

-research must be handed in to me as resource list/bibliography or included in the blog post

_______________

Due 5/2

READINGS:

Veiled Threat by Arwa Aburawa Bitch Magazine

http://bitchmagazine.org/article/veiled-threat

The Feminist Evolution ArtNews December 2009

http://www.artnews.com/2009/12/01/the-feminist-evolution/

Linda Nochlin, Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?

http://deyoung.famsf.org/files/whynogreatwomenartists_4.pdf

Where the Great Women Artists are Now

Interview with Linda Nochlin Art News February 2007

http://www.artnews.com/2007/02/01/where-the-great-women-artists-are-now/

Visit and read through/explore these websites:

The Guerrilla Girls

http://www.guerrillagirls.com

if possible, BUY THE GUERRILLA GIRLS BOOK!

Brainstormers

http://www.brainstormersreport.net

MINI POST 5 DUE*

(*full 6 pts if complete and posted on time!)

Choose and research a female artist or film director/screenwriter and a single work or several works that not only pass the Bechdel Test but that you consider a feminist work. In a short paragraph or two describe their approach to art and/or film making. Explain the work and the importance of this story(ies). How does the artist or filmmaker explain their work and their process? How are the works and artist or filmmaker received? Last post! Find someone wonderful that you may have never heard of or share with us your feminist film heroes!

WORK ON YOUR SEMESTER PROJECTS!!!!

NO Tweets due (but always welcome)

__________________

Due Saturday 4/25

**PLEASE SEE THE SYLLABUS FOR CHANGES TO OUR FINAL PRESENTATION SCHEDULE. We will NOT have class on 5/23 our final Saturday. Our final presentations will not conclude on Saturday 5/16.

We will have a visitor, Summer Dawn Hortillosa, presenting her work to us. Please see http://www.summerization.com/ and her instagram: https://instagram.com/summeringo/

NO READINGS DUE *catch up on any outstanding assignments you may have from over the break.

WORK ON YOUR SEMESTER PROJECTS!!!!

NO Tweets Due

___________________

Enjoy your Spring Break!

Due Saturday 4/18

READINGS DUE:

on Blackboard Vickie Nam, from Yell-Oh Girls

and

Payman and Sina Persepolis 2.0

Online: Tempering Rage by Drawing Comics; A Memoir Sketches an Iranian Childhood of Repression and Rebellion

NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/21/books/tempering-rage-drawing-comics-memoir-sketches-iranian-childhood-repression.html

WATCH:

clips from Persepolis written by Marjane Satrapi

watch the Entire playlist if possible but especially these:

http://www.nytimes.com/video/movies/100000003363757/persepolis-scene-2.html?playlistId=100000003363727

http://www.nytimes.com/video/movies/100000003363749/persepolis-scene-9.html?playlistId=100000003363727

http://www.nytimes.com/video/movies/100000003363745/persepolis-scene-3.html?playlistId=100000003363727

http://www.nytimes.com/video/movies/100000003363734/persepolis-scene-5.html?playlistId=100000003363727

3 comments on other student project proposal posts (due over the break)

Please leave feedback for 3 other student projects. Help with resources, links to inspirational examples, other projects, articles, books, scholars, and any other resources that might be helpful for various topics. Leave helpful criticism about narrowing of ideas, production direction or tips, distribution ideas and any other help you can provide. Spend time on these!

Post 4 (due 4/18)

Using knowledge from the readings, links, class discussion, and additional research/personal experience develop an essay addressing the policing of women's bodies and the impact it has on the way women are valued in society. What is the goal of these types of legislations/policies/ barriers? What kinds of messages are being sent by the enforcement of these barriers for women? Who is leading these efforts to restrict women's agency over their bodies? How does media impact the way we view these issues and how they are legislated? What is media doing to help combat negative views of women's bodies/sexuality? What does media do to hurt how women's bodies/sexuality are viewed?

*~800 words. Include citations of at least 4 of the readings in your post, at least 2 images, and 2 links to additional resources.

__________________

Due Saturday 3/28

READINGS on Blackboard:

Audre Lorde, The Transformation of Silence Into Language and Action from Sister Outsider AND

Melissa Harris Perry Crooked Room from Sister Citizen

Peggy Mcintosh White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack

Read online:

Samina Ali "What You Will Never Hear From the Media About Muslim Women" Huffington Post, 7/2013

Explore the online exhibition extensively:

Muslima http://muslima.imow.org/

Watch:

Chimanda Adiche Ted Talk

http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en#t-283627

Update of semester project proposal - handed in to me and posted on the blog by 3/28

Updated project proposal printed and handed in to me. ~2 pages. Be as specific and clear about your research so far, where you are in production, include a project timeline and as clear a description of your final project as possible. What are you making? What is it about? Why are you making this? Who are you making this for? How will you distribute/share this with your audience? Where will it be published? How does this fit into your portfolio of work? How can this grow and progress after the semester is over?

Share your project proposal on the class blog. ~3 paragraphs, images and links to resources. From this post the class can give you feedback in the comments.

Group 6 presents

_________________

Due Saturday 3/21

READINGS:

Roxane Gay The Alienable Rights of Women from Bad Feminist

and

Jennifer Nelson Introduction from Women of Color and the Reproductive Rights Movement

Online article in addition to the pdfs on Blackboard: http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2014/07/10/hobby-lobby-womans-right-sexual-exploration/

Suggested supplemental readings:

Among 38 nations, U.S. is the outlier when it comes to paid parental leave

Sex education in the U.S. is screwing our kids

California Legislature Passes ‘Yes Means Yes’ Bill

Family Leave Laws Need to Include Teen Student Parents

STATE POLICIES ON SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

WATCH:

Carry That Weight

Transgressive Sexual Practice

two tweets #womenmedia

Group 5 presents

______________

Due Saturday 3/14

READINGS: Susan Bordo -- "Hunger as Ideology" from Unbearable Weight and Maggie Wykes/Barrie Gunter --"Conclusion" from The Media and Body Image

Post 3

Using all of your readings, class discussions and additional research develop a short essay addressing gender, sexuality and advertising images. Analyze the sexism, racism and power hierarchies found in so many of these. What is the purpose of these images? What unintended effects might these pervasive images have or reflect? Is popular culture found in these? Learned? Critiqued? In addition to this analysis find or construct an alternative to these mainstream images and explain why it is different. Carefully draw out advertising strategies and goals and provide alternative paths for the industry or alternative anti-advertising messages.

~800 words. Include citations of several of the readings in your post, 3-4 images and links to relevant resources.

Semester project topic due printed and handed-in

1-2 paragraphs explaining your semester project idea as well as any research and resources you have already discovered.

**Full semester project proposal and resources/bibliography will be due Saturday 3/21

two tweets #womenmedia

Group 4 presents

______________

Due Saturday 3/7

READINGS:

Advertising, Magazines and Women

from Gender Race and Class in Media

-Sex Lies and Advertising - Gloria Steinem Ms. Magazine

-Beauty and the Beast of Advertising - Jean Kilbourne

-Reading Images Critically - Douglas Kellner

-Commodity Lesbianism - Danae Clark

-Anthony Cortese, Constructed Bodies, Deconstructing Ads Sexism in Advertising

-Naomi Wolf , Culture from The Beauty Myth

Online:

FreePress Media Ownership Policy

http://conference.freepress.net/ownership/chart

Media Ownership Fact Sheet - NOW

http://www.now.org/issues/media/women_in_media_facts.html

Diversity in Media Ownership & Employment

http://www.civilrights.org/media/ownership/

WATCH:

Reel Girls Media Consolidation

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=reelgrrls#play/uploads/27/VZ01mj0IdTQ

GROUP PRESENTATIONS must also have a summary posted to the blog. One post per group. Best to complete this before your presentation in class. For those who have presented please do this immediately. This post is part of your presentation grade.

Coming Attractions**

POST 3 will now be due 3/14

Group 3 presents

Two tweets #womenmedia

_______________

Due Saturday 2/28

READINGS:

Judith Butler from Gender Trouble and Various authors fromGender Outlaws: The Next Generation (essay compilation)

--both pdfs on Blackboard (sorry for the delay)

Edit your Post 2 (Male Gaze and Oppositional Gaze) until Saturday 2/28.

Checklist:

-Images should have captions. What is the image? Why is it included? Is it referenced in your text?

-Edit!! grammar, spelling, sentence and paragraph structure.

-Links must link! -please make sure your links LINK. Why is the link included? Think about how the hyperlink is used online. Integrate your links into your writing. They should augment the information provided.

-Images must be sized correctly and should fit in the body of the blog.

-Check your formats in general. Spacing issues, indentations, font sizes, are your images appearing correctly?

-In body CITATIONS of the READINGS (author, pg)

-Include a brief "works cited" at the bottom of the post with the two (or more) readings you are citing from.

Group 2 presents

two tweets #womenmedia

_______________

No Class 2/14 Happy Valentines's Day

Watch Miss Representation online: it's on Netflix, and on Amazon for rent.

Due 2/21

MissRepresentation

Create a summary of the points in the film. ~500 words printed and handed in to me. Use at least four quotes from the film (cite who speaks them) and address how these critique media and gender. How do these effect identity? How is representation important for the audience? how can the problems be addressed and changed?

READINGS: ON BLACKBOARD

-Understanding Patriarchy - bell hooks

-"The More You Subtract The More You Add: Cutting Girls Down to Size" by Jean Kilbourne

-Feminist Manhood - bell hooks

-Where the Girls Are - Susan Douglas

-Misframing Men - Michael Kimmel

POST 2 - On ways of seeing/viewing

Please answer the following questions based on your readings and class discussion. Use your own experiences and realizations to help illustrate your understanding of the material - cite from the readings.

What is the male gaze and why is it a pervasive form of vision in popular culture? Give illustrative examples in a variety of media. What is the oppositional gaze and why (as described by bell hooks) has it developed? Give examples. How have you come to understand these structures and in what ways has this understanding changed your views about various media examples and of your own identity and role in these structures?

5-6 paragraphs. Include citations of the readings (Berger, hooks, Mulvey) in your post. Please include at least one image and one link.

videos (on the screenings page - scroll down to "ways of seeing")

two tweets #womenmedia

GROUP 1 presents

_________________

Due 2/7

POST 1 on the class blog:
Who do you think you are?
What is your role in media consumption, critique and/or media making. How much of who you are is measured against media examples? How much of our common experience involves shared mass media events? How does the media fit into your life and your identity? Use several media examples to illustrate your description of your relationship to media. Your blog post must be at least 3 paragraphs and you must include at least one link and one image.

READINGS: available as pdfs on the Blackboard Site in "Class Materials" in folder "Due 2/7"

- let me know immediately (via email) if you have trouble accessing the readings.

John Berger - Ways of Seeing
Laura Mulvey - Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema
bell hooks - Understanding Patriarchy/The Oppositional Gaze

two tweets #womenmedia

______________

Link to syllabus

Link to class screenings online

Link to our twitter hashtag: #womenmedia

***Readings are on the class Blackboard site.***
Please be sure you have access to the Blackboard site and can see the "Class Materials" folder.

Discussion guidelines

The course material and discussions can often be provocative and challenging. We must therefore be careful to be respectful of each other and all of our viewpoints. No student shall ever be made to feel uncomfortable because of race, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

We must come to class prepared and ready to discuss the readings!! Please keep discussions focused on the readings and class materials and keep examples relevant and appropriate. If you have not done the readings you are not to participate in the discussion.

Please see this great list of classroom discussion guidelines for more guidance. It is also helpful that everyone in the course reviews several key terms that are crucial to the course material. Please review this important list of terms.