Discussion Post: Gender
Choose ONE of the following questions to answer as a response to this post:
Choice I: "Amalia Ulman Is the First Great Instagram Artist" tells the story of a young woman who found fame on social media through a conscious manipulation of her image. When her Instagram "story" was revealed to be fiction, one response from her followers was anger.
Using the readings from this week, explain what happened.
How did Amalia construct the narrative on Instagram in the first place? In what ways did it illustrate what we have learned this week about gender performance?
1) How did she rely on typical media portrayals of women?
2) How did her performance critique media portrayals of women?
3) Was her performance a lie?
4) Why were her followers angered when her work was revealed as a fiction?
5) Is there any way in which intersectional issues influenced both her initial popularity and the depth of the betrayal felt by some of her fans?
6) How was her use of social media similar to or different from the way most people use it in terms of her presentation of self?
7) Can Judith Butler's theories help us to understand Ulman's art or the way we use social media?
Choice II: Based on your reading for this week, discuss whether the media reflectsor influences the way we "do gender" in our society. You may also argue that it does both. Topics to consider:
1) Consider the differing ways media portrays women and men, and how these portrayals might be consumed by audience members of a variety of gender identities.
2) How does the performance of gender in the media differ from the performance of gender in "real life?" How can Judith Butler's theories be useful in discussing this topic?
3) How do intersectional identities influence whether individual people feel that the media reflects their gender?
4) Why do you think transgender people have protested the use of cisgender actors to play transgender roles on television and in film?
5) Come to a conclusion: what is the relationship between media portrayals of gender and ourselves?
Choice III: Locate an advertisement that depicts an image of women, girls, men and/or boys in a respectful and/or empowered manner that deviates from the traditional gender norm.
Post it here and/or post the URL so that others can view it.
Referring directly to our readings for the week,
1) Describe how the advertisement you chose "rewrites the rules."
2) Is intersectionality represented in your chosen advertisement? Please explain.
3) Use Judith Butler's theories to explain why the creator of the ad may have made the choices we see here in terms of the way the characters "do gender."
4) What impact might this advertisement have on real-life opportunities and possibilities offered men and women in their personal and professional lives?
The response should include a reference list. One-inch margins, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.