Write a 2-4 page double spaced paper on the prompt below. Sources are required and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Papers will be graded on content, writing quality and whether or not you address all components of the assignment, spelling, and the inclusion of appropriate sources.
This assignment will help you examine popular culture and how it shapes our ideas about sexuality.
Media tends to depict sexual stereotypes and to adhere to mainstream sexual norms. Media educators Gross and Gerbner argue that the commercial structure of the mass media limits the opportunity for representing diverse characters. Too often networks and film companies shy away from portraying the multiple and diverse dimensions of sexuality for fear of alienating or offending advertisers, investors, and audiences This assignment is to assess whether you are able to critically evaluate depictions of people’s sexual behaviors in media.
Human sexuality is often portrayed in inaccurate ways, leading to misunderstanding and heightened stigmatization of people who do not adhere to the mainstream sexual norms. Some movies/television shows/etc, however, are lauded for dispelling stereotypes and providing accurate insight into human sexuality. Media, has a powerful impact on how we view the sexuality of others and ourselves. Negative and or misinformed attitudes about sexuality leave people vulnerable to neglecting and understanding their own sexual needs and being judgmental of others. Providing accurate information can help correct fears, myths and misconceptions many people have about the diversity present in our society. Studies have shown that a combination of education and face-to-face interaction has a greater impact on changing attitudes than using either strategy in isolation.
Choose a book/television show/music artist/song/comic/book that represents an aspect of human sexuality in it. Identify your selection and how it addresses a topic of human sexuality (e.g., name of movie and topic covered), After you made your selection and watched/listened to the media, write a critical evaluation on whether the sexuality issue/s portrayed were accurately depicted. You must use reliable research on the sexuality topic portrayed in the film so that you are prepared to say whether the viewer would be misinformed or informed properly about the sexuality issues portrayed in the film. Cite any research used (minimum 2 sources - 1 point each). You can answer the questions below in bullet point or paragraph format. You can answer in bullet points or paragraph format. The points for each question are listed in parenthesis after each question. Writing quality will be included in the grade. The paper must include the following :
- What was the sexual content/messages of the movie/film/etc? (2 points)
- Was the content/messages stereotypical of our culture and if so, how? (3 points)
- Do you think it was an accurate portrayal of sexuality in our culture? (1 point) Why or why not? (2 points)
- A minimum of 3 examples of correct or inaccurate depictions (comparisons) must be included in the paper. (4 points)
- Would you change anything to better portray this sexuality issue? If so, what? (3 points)
- What implicit and explicit messages are given about sex and sexuality? (5 points)
- What do you think about these messages? Are they positive or negative? (3 points)