Activity #1
Take a look at these images from 60 years ago as they portray women's roles in helping the country during World War II:
1. Do the images show any women of color?
2. Are women encouraged to work outside the home?
3. Are women encouraged to join the military?
You may want to look at some of the other great images preserved by the National Archives. Some deal with the extremely limited social and military roles permitted to African Americans, while others celebrate men's virility and sacrifice.
Final questions:
4. What messages did the U.S. government and businesses give to women about working outside the home after WWII was over in 1945? Here's one of them:
5. Why would these images work or not work for today's society?
6. How can we view media products so that we are not "taken in" by the messages they give us about our age, social class, gender, race or religion?
Often the best way to see "hegemony" at work is to look at images, movies, books, and other cultural products from the past so that we can see how much of what is considered "normal" or "natural" (that is, ideology) has changed.
Activity #2
Cultures are by no means monolithic. There are, of course, clashes within cultures. An example is demonstrated in the 1961 film "West Side Story," which was based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." It's the story of the clash between two teenage gangs: the Jets (who are white) and the Sharks (comprised of Puerto Ricans). However, there's even a difference of opinion within one of the groups; it takes place on a rooftop where the men and the women debate the merits of living in "America:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPlcE3GcoFc
Some questions for you:
1. How is this scene an example of cultural studies? Why or why not?
2. What is the ideology of the women and the men? Is it primarily the same or it is different? Why?
3. What is the source of tension between the men and the women? In what way are these people part of a "hierarchical structure of power"?
4. How is hegemony demonstrated in the scene? Counter-hegemony? And finally, who do you think wins the argument?
Activity #3
Consider the 2004 film "Crash," which examined racial and social conflicts in Los Angeles in the 1990s. As you watch the clip,
see if you can determine the standpoint of each of the characters. (WARNING: The film contains harsh language). In a carefully crafted response, explain what you think you see. Does it reflect society as you know it? Why or why not? Support your claims with reasons and evidence.
Consider this video, "Passing the Basketball":
Some questions for you:
What do you think this video says about free will? How do the media shape that sense of self?
Why are people more afraid to speak up in our mass mediated time period, according to Noelle-Neumann?
Please write a cogent, coherent response that includes researched evidence to support your claims (APA format)