WGSS 365 Popular Culture: Women, Gender & Sexuality

Throughout the semester, prompts based on class readings, screenings, lectures, and discussions will be posted on this blog. Responses will be graded on their level of critical thinking, pertinence, engagement with class texts, and grammar/spelling/proofing/ length. Be sure to read the prompt carefully and fully engage with the content of the class materials. At the bottom of your response, type your FIRST NAME and the FIRST INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME (e.g. Claudia Z.).

Friday, January 27, 2017

Week One: Response 1.3

In critiquing Girlie feminism, Showden argues the empowerment that comes with wearing lipstick and miniskirts is at some level “illusory given the individual’s inability to control the reading of her actions.” Explain her argument then contribute your own thoughts.

Week One: Response 1.2

Cite two points Benshoff and Griffin make in their analysis of gender. Considering your own development, what specific influences created your gender as a child? Did you resist the binary?

Week One: Response 1.1

Stoller and Jervis discuss their relationships to popular culture. In looking at feminist action, Stoller equates the women’s rallies and marches of the past with women creating their own popular culture today. Do you see popular culture as an effective tool for activism? And can a media scholar like Jervis have it both ways by loving and critiquing popular culture, or is there a conflict of interest in doing so?