Monday, December 6, 2010
QUESTION 11
11) Find two critical texts from the semester (at least two weeks apart), and discuss how they relate to or expand the argument of your overall topic for the semester, drawing on a specific advertisement you did NOT discuss in your papers (250-300 words).
This advertisement is a celebration of female sexuality and empowerment, it shows that women can have curves and still be athletic and sexy. The ad discusses the sexualization of all female athletes. Had this been an advertisement with a male sports figure it would contain stats, assertions about being intense and strong, and have a close up of his abs or arms.
My overall topic for this semester was "female athletes". The articles that i feel relate best with this are Candianian as possible by Bodroghkozy and Laurie Ouellette's "Inventing the cosmo girl". In the fact that they both deal with a Lecanian construction of an other.
Ouellette shows us that girl-style and how it ties in with the American dream, both of which transcendence from class roles as well as sexual ones. It seems that the ways that females get ahead is by being sexualized and this was evident with the multiple references to Cosmo articles about how to look to catch the attention of men in higher positions whom they are working for. Many females desire sexual attention without being degraded. In terms of female athletes, stereotypes exist men often do not watch female sports and often when they do it is to creep on females with their friends. Bodroghkozy's article discusses how Canadians see themsleves through an American lens. Female athletes have a similar lens in the sense of seeing themselves through the eyes of men in general. Female athletes must always be cognizant of how they look and appera while playing. They cannot be too good, strong, intense, aggressive, cocky, or even fit.
As with the advertisement above, there seems to be a sense of empowerment for women similar to Rosie the Riveter poster.
QUESTION 10
10) Using a video or image you find online, apply three critical texts we read during the semester (each at least two weeks apart), and discuss how they relate to and build on one another, giving us different but related perspectives on critical media and cultural studies (250-300 words).
Bettie Boop was one of the original cartoon superstars, who was battling for cartoon stardom in the 80's. Although some disproved and therefore the daring and adult nature of the Betty Boop cartoons led to their downfall. Mickey, whose adventures had already had a childlike innocence remained unchanged, and he went of to rule the cartoon empire. She was also clearly Jewish, just like her creators. Eighty years later, there’s still never been a Jewish Disney character. This is an example of how co-operations attempt to create the perfect Utopia, through different groups there seems to be a selection what the feel will be the next big thing, these attributes may be appropriated and re-appropriated through time.
From Fejes, we notice Gay and Lesbian groups emerging as an economical subjects, defined as a market niche who are seen as being upscale high spending consumers, who will buy the latest fashions. Being homosexual was not socially accepted but after this men in particular where seen as stylist and there came the appropriation of the work heterosexual in order to sell.
Ghosh's article showed us that the US is incorporating Indian fashion and their making it their own own e.g. vogue cover that is typically westernized fashion. Indian people have been marginalized but their culture has be glorified. Schor talked about how as consumers we would bid for luxury rather than comfort, this is a widespread aspiration, consumption reproduces class inequalities and power but is a common trend.
The media often creates a construction of what is means to be something, like if you are rich you should own this, if you are an athlete you should look like this. Corporate ownership of media productions and distribution affects society in this way.
Bettie Boop was one of the original cartoon superstars, who was battling for cartoon stardom in the 80's. Although some disproved and therefore the daring and adult nature of the Betty Boop cartoons led to their downfall. Mickey, whose adventures had already had a childlike innocence remained unchanged, and he went of to rule the cartoon empire. She was also clearly Jewish, just like her creators. Eighty years later, there’s still never been a Jewish Disney character. This is an example of how co-operations attempt to create the perfect Utopia, through different groups there seems to be a selection what the feel will be the next big thing, these attributes may be appropriated and re-appropriated through time.
From Fejes, we notice Gay and Lesbian groups emerging as an economical subjects, defined as a market niche who are seen as being upscale high spending consumers, who will buy the latest fashions. Being homosexual was not socially accepted but after this men in particular where seen as stylist and there came the appropriation of the work heterosexual in order to sell.
Ghosh's article showed us that the US is incorporating Indian fashion and their making it their own own e.g. vogue cover that is typically westernized fashion. Indian people have been marginalized but their culture has be glorified. Schor talked about how as consumers we would bid for luxury rather than comfort, this is a widespread aspiration, consumption reproduces class inequalities and power but is a common trend.
The media often creates a construction of what is means to be something, like if you are rich you should own this, if you are an athlete you should look like this. Corporate ownership of media productions and distribution affects society in this way.
QUESTION 9
9) Find a “news” story from the Onion News Network, and compare it to a contemporary news story or clip from a “real” news source (a TV channel, newspaper, etc.). Discuss them both in terms of gatekeeping and agenda-setting functions, as well as the breakdown and reevaluation of discourse that Baym talks about in his article. Citing Baym will help (100-150 words).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx-FkpSDyu4
The Onion news I choose was "missing girl probably rape," this video is outright about it's news and holds nothing back, by suggesting what might happened to an attractive teenage girl who is missing/kidnapped.Gateskeeping insures what subject are aired on TV, this would never be aired on TV purely for sensitivity matters. The main gatekeeper for a television news program is the news director. After watching a real news broadcast shortly after on the disappearance of Madeline Mccann, there was never any reference to what might be happening to Madeline but was aimed around the pleading to return the child. In Onion news when the father tried to plead for his daughter to be returned the reporter returned with heartless comments, this would never happen on real television. There are certain information that is often left out, especially through the news. The editors will often decide what is considered important for the world to know. Therefore some information reaches the audience, while some does not. With the example of Maddie, there was big controversy in England because on the hunt for the child the parents where made to seem extremely innocent and shocked, it was later revealed that they had left their 3 year old daughter in the vacation apartment without Adult supervision while they went to dinner with friends. Certain information like this determines how the audience perceives or may feel about a certain situation. "The blending of news and satire confronts a system of political communication that largely has degenerate," Baym informs us that the Daily show uses humour while still addressing the news. This is something that is missing as there is a lack of discourse and communication between the public and sometimes in politics and the news.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx-FkpSDyu4
The Onion news I choose was "missing girl probably rape," this video is outright about it's news and holds nothing back, by suggesting what might happened to an attractive teenage girl who is missing/kidnapped.Gateskeeping insures what subject are aired on TV, this would never be aired on TV purely for sensitivity matters. The main gatekeeper for a television news program is the news director. After watching a real news broadcast shortly after on the disappearance of Madeline Mccann, there was never any reference to what might be happening to Madeline but was aimed around the pleading to return the child. In Onion news when the father tried to plead for his daughter to be returned the reporter returned with heartless comments, this would never happen on real television. There are certain information that is often left out, especially through the news. The editors will often decide what is considered important for the world to know. Therefore some information reaches the audience, while some does not. With the example of Maddie, there was big controversy in England because on the hunt for the child the parents where made to seem extremely innocent and shocked, it was later revealed that they had left their 3 year old daughter in the vacation apartment without Adult supervision while they went to dinner with friends. Certain information like this determines how the audience perceives or may feel about a certain situation. "The blending of news and satire confronts a system of political communication that largely has degenerate," Baym informs us that the Daily show uses humour while still addressing the news. This is something that is missing as there is a lack of discourse and communication between the public and sometimes in politics and the news.
QUESTION 8
8) Watch the first part (at least) of Mouse Trapped 2010 and Mickey Mouse Monopoly, and explain USING SPECIFIC ELEMENTS FROM THE FILMS how they are good examples of the different approaches of political economy and cultural studies. Define each approach briefly, and CITE GROSSBERG’S ARTICLE IN YOUR RESPONSE. (100-150 words)
Political economy is the way in which politics and the economy relate to each other. "Cultural matters only as a commodity and an ideological tool of manipulation."(Grossberg, 631) The make culture seem important as one of the most important cooperations with their timeless movies and being known for creating magic for families. Although this is quite the opposite. While the cost of living increases the pay from Disney to cast members remains the same which serves as the main factor of workers being near the poverty line, barely able to feed families. They also spoke of how much Disney was loved worldwide, Disney is a big example of globalization and is represented in many different countries, because it has the image of being so loved and innocent it is hard to change the wrong that they are doing. Even if people did leave the jobs they love, they could be replaced by younger workers, being the largest employer in Central Florida and especially in this economy and the circle starts again.
Cultural studies focuses on critical methods for the analysis, interpretation and criticism of culture in order to look into society. "Cultural studies emphasizes the complexity and contradictions not only within culture, but in the relation between people, culture and power." (Grossberg, 631) Disney is seen as being an important part of American culture, therefore these cast members will work at the place they love, doing what the love even though they are not being treated fairly. Disney gets away with this treatment by ignoring these types of problems, allowing the spectacle of innocence that never needs to be questioned.
Political economy is the way in which politics and the economy relate to each other. "Cultural matters only as a commodity and an ideological tool of manipulation."(Grossberg, 631) The make culture seem important as one of the most important cooperations with their timeless movies and being known for creating magic for families. Although this is quite the opposite. While the cost of living increases the pay from Disney to cast members remains the same which serves as the main factor of workers being near the poverty line, barely able to feed families. They also spoke of how much Disney was loved worldwide, Disney is a big example of globalization and is represented in many different countries, because it has the image of being so loved and innocent it is hard to change the wrong that they are doing. Even if people did leave the jobs they love, they could be replaced by younger workers, being the largest employer in Central Florida and especially in this economy and the circle starts again.
Cultural studies focuses on critical methods for the analysis, interpretation and criticism of culture in order to look into society. "Cultural studies emphasizes the complexity and contradictions not only within culture, but in the relation between people, culture and power." (Grossberg, 631) Disney is seen as being an important part of American culture, therefore these cast members will work at the place they love, doing what the love even though they are not being treated fairly. Disney gets away with this treatment by ignoring these types of problems, allowing the spectacle of innocence that never needs to be questioned.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
QUESTION 7
7) Explain how the following video, How To Make Your Breasts Look Bigger, is both an appropriation and reappropriation of sexual signifiers, and discuss the implications of the film from both perspectives (i.e., the appropriation and reappropriation of sexual signifiers from early pornography) (100-150 words).
Reappropriation is the way in which a someone or a group reclaims, while appropriation is an element of cultural expression of one group by another. The first person who comes to mind is Marilyn Monroe, the female in the video is reappropriating Marilyn in the way that the female seems helpless and innocent with her sexual innuendo. She seems to need the super manly plumber to come and save her which has also been reappropriation. The use of the fan is also one this is seen in making the female look sexulized is a appropriation of females at a photoshot or music video. She is also willing to do anything to get his attention which has been reappropriated, as now it we can see examples of women dressed as nurses and men making the phone call. There is also the apprioation of her sprinkling food over her face, and the cheesy sexual innuendoes. Another sexual signifer the way in which the female happens to do everything in slow motion, much like the female that would run down baywatch beach and the come hither facial expressions she makes while doing so.
Reappropriation is the way in which a someone or a group reclaims, while appropriation is an element of cultural expression of one group by another. The first person who comes to mind is Marilyn Monroe, the female in the video is reappropriating Marilyn in the way that the female seems helpless and innocent with her sexual innuendo. She seems to need the super manly plumber to come and save her which has also been reappropriation. The use of the fan is also one this is seen in making the female look sexulized is a appropriation of females at a photoshot or music video. She is also willing to do anything to get his attention which has been reappropriated, as now it we can see examples of women dressed as nurses and men making the phone call. There is also the apprioation of her sprinkling food over her face, and the cheesy sexual innuendoes. Another sexual signifer the way in which the female happens to do everything in slow motion, much like the female that would run down baywatch beach and the come hither facial expressions she makes while doing so.
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