This assignment is a journal response. First, choose an example of
media to analyze(TV episode, film, music video, ad, video game, meme,
etc.). Next, you must choose an
ideological positionto address your media from. We’ve covered several so far in the course: Marxism (looking at social class), feminism or gender theory (looking at gender/sexual orientation), and post-colonialism or cultural studies (looking at race). For the purposes of this journal, you must focus on ONE of these ideological areas specifically. Your introductory paragraph should introduce both your chosen media and the ideological position you will be using.Write a journal detailing how concepts from the course better help you understand your chosen text. Ensure you use appropriate terminology from the course modules/readings! For example, if you are talking about how social class is represented in a film, concepts like “commodity fetishism” or “bourgeoisie hero” may be useful. If you are writing about gender, you may want to discuss the way gender roles are portrayed favourably or negatively (how much autonomy, or freedom of choice, is demonstrated? How much speaking time do different characters get?). If you are talking about race, it may be worth looking at how stereotypes are deployed, or aspects of Orientalism, or how certain racial groups are featured more prominently in scenes or storylines than others.Attempt to come to some conclusion following your analysis – it can be as simple as “this show reinforces ‘traditional’ gender values” or “this game can be seen to depict Hispanic characters in a derogatory manner”.Note that
no additional research or citations are required, as this is a journal response and not a research essay. I would certainly be impressed if you were to expand your understanding of an issue with some independent reading, however. Feel free to run ideas past me for feedback – just not the day before the journal is due, please!
Assignment Breakdown
- Approximately 1200 words
- 10 marks: topic scope and quality of analysis – using specific examples to support your points
- 5 marks: demonstrated understanding and deployment of course content – properly defining and using terms
- 5 marks: spelling / grammar / formatting