Description: Now that you’ve learned about different ways gender and cultural ideals are often represented in media, we’re going to put all of these representations together to analyze one final piece of media. For your final, please write a 750 word (roughly 3 pages, double-spaced) analysis on a piece of media of your choosing (video game, tv show, movie, book, album, music video, etc.)
Pick a piece of media, one that you either are familiar with now or loved as a child, and follow the prompt below:
Similar to our media analyses, you will answer at least 3 of the 5W questions(questions below) to analyze your chosen media (1 page or more).
For this analysis, please list the specific questions you are answering.
Write a personal reflection discussing your relationship with your chosen media. Please answer how it has influenced your relationship with gender and/or the way you view the world. Was it positive or negative for you? (Half a page or more)
Utilizing what we’ve learned about how gender, other social identities, and cultural ideas are represented, interpreted, and integrated into our society, identify at least two different aspects of your chosen media that misrepresent, under-represent, or stereotype marginalized identities or topics (consider: gender, race, ability, mental health, physical health, sexuality, politically charged topics, “taboo” topics, etc.) and explain why these depictions could be harmful/ not accurate. (Half a page or more)
Consider:
Are any characters one-dimensional? Any characters “tokenized”?
Are certain groups of people missing that could be beneficial to the story?
Are there any stereotypes or biases present in the original media and how do these stereotypes or biases impact the portrayal of marginalized groups?
Are certain topics or scenarios inadequately discussed, fueled by stereotypes, or include misinformation?
You will then conduct a “media remix”. You will propose how these representations/commentary/dialogue (or lack thereof) could be changed or “remixed” into more holistic or nuanced form representation/commentary/dialogue. Explain why these changes are beneficial. (1 page or more)
Consider:
What changes can be made to the storyline, characters, or setting?
How can the language or imagery be altered?
How can topics and scenarios depicted/discussed be “handled” better?
Other requirements:
Must include a cover page, page numbers, in-text citations, and a bibliography.
Must be double-spaced, 750 words minimum.
Must include three references to course materials. Materials must aid in building your analysis and be relevant to your argument/topic.
Must use consistent APA format.
Your analysis is worth 20 points and is due May 1st at 11:59pm. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Only one submission will be accepted. If you submit your analysis before the due date has passed, you are consenting to having the analysis (possibly) graded before the assignment has closed.
If you have concerns about APA, here are some videos you may find helpful:
5W and 1H Questions:
Who
Who is this media representing? Who is this media critiquing? Who is the media giving voice to or speaking for (if anyone)? Who made the media, and who are they? Who was the media made for?
What
What is the media portraying (either on the surface or as a deeper meaning; are these the same)? What is the media trying to say (about society, individuals, etc.)? What symbols are used in the media and what do they mean? What devices (music, images, etc.) are used to convey meaning in the media, and why?
Where
Where does this media take place? Is where the media takes place important? What location imagery does the media portray, and does this contribute to the message of the media? Where else have you seen images from this media in other media (memes or street art for example)?
When
When was this media made, and is that important? How does do the events occurring in the “real world” affect the messages in the media? When is this media relevant? Only when it was made, or still today?
Why
Why was this media made? Why might this media be important? Why does the media critique what it does?
How
How has this media influenced other media or art? How does this media reflect or represent society? How has this media created new meaning or media? How does this film media make you or others feel or think, and why? Was it intentional or unintentional?
