12. Discuss the South Park episode “With Apologies to Jesse Jackson” (S11E01) in terms of its construction of race, particularly, as with the Chappelle Show episode (S1E01) we watched in class, in terms of whiteness. What elements of this critique come from the aesthetic, critical, and ontological modes of postmodernism (be specific about each) (150-200 words).
This South Park episode, race is constructed in a number of ways. Elements of the critique that come from the critical are the use of Wheel of Fortune, to introduce the plot, and the appearance of Jesse Jackson in the episode as the black person that Stan’s dad chooses to apologize to. These are critical because they incorporate elements from other texts, but only at face value, for “image’s sake”. Elements of the critique that come from the critical are the incorporation of rednecks chasing Randy for saying negative things about black people. This is still intertextual, but it is critical because Randy getting chased by rednecks for being racist is a critical allusion towards rednecks, who are generally seen as racists (at least stereotypically). They treat Randy as an “outcast”, critically alluding to how minorities might feel. The ontological comes in at the end, where ‘Nigger-Guys’ plead for the word ‘Nigger-Guy’ to be illegal, even if the words are spoken closely to each other. In this way, they are embodying the socially oppressed, even though Randy is a white person, constructing the way we react to race and the use of racial slurs in society.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Question 8
8. Watch the first part (at least) of Mouse Trapped 2010 and Mickey Mouse Monopoly, and explain USING SPECIFIC ELEMENTS FROM THE FILMS how they are good examples of the different approaches of political economy and cultural studies. Define each approach briefly, and CITE GROSSBERG’S ARTICLE IN YOUR RESPONSE. (100-150 words)
Mouse Trapped 2010 approaches political economy and cultural studies in their discussion of the state of the economy, the ridiculously low wages that their employees are paid, and the dire state of these cast members because of inadequate wages. They refer to cultural studies in their discussion of poverty; most of the Disney cast members do not make enough money to meet basic needs, living in poverty while their wealthy employer refuses to increase wages. This approach addresses Disney’s role in culture and the political economy from its direct role in the local economy as a largely negative force, responsible for the impoverishment of many of its emplyees. In Mickey Mouse monopoly, we see how Disney’s role as a creator of childhood culture, which has become a part of the ideological framework of our society. As Grossberg argues, cultural studies do not reference popular culture alone, but rather engages in a discussion concerned with consumption, class and politics through the reaction to the ideological framework. Mickey Mouse monopoly discusses Disney’s impact on society as a whole, and its control within culture through its commodities.
Mouse Trapped 2010 approaches political economy and cultural studies in their discussion of the state of the economy, the ridiculously low wages that their employees are paid, and the dire state of these cast members because of inadequate wages. They refer to cultural studies in their discussion of poverty; most of the Disney cast members do not make enough money to meet basic needs, living in poverty while their wealthy employer refuses to increase wages. This approach addresses Disney’s role in culture and the political economy from its direct role in the local economy as a largely negative force, responsible for the impoverishment of many of its emplyees. In Mickey Mouse monopoly, we see how Disney’s role as a creator of childhood culture, which has become a part of the ideological framework of our society. As Grossberg argues, cultural studies do not reference popular culture alone, but rather engages in a discussion concerned with consumption, class and politics through the reaction to the ideological framework. Mickey Mouse monopoly discusses Disney’s impact on society as a whole, and its control within culture through its commodities.
Question 10
10. Using a video or image you find online, apply three critical texts we read during the semester (each at least two weeks apart), and discuss how they relate to and build on one another, giving us different but related perspectives on critical media and cultural studies (250-300 words).
The three articles that I’ve chosen: the New Politics of Consumption, Nike, Social Responsibility and the Hidden Abode of Production, and Why Johnny Can’t Dissent all refer to the critical politics of consumption and the compulsion of Americans to over consume. In the New Politics of Consumption, Juliet Schor discusses the “competitive consumption” that Americans engage in, looking up to an aspirant class with higher economic standings and as a result, rapidly consuming products in an effort to keep up. The growing role of mass media in society has contributed heavily to this trend, with detrimental effects on low-income households, who are more likely to watch television and thus more likely to be exposed to desire to consume via television commercials. These consumption habits reproduce social and class inequality, exacerbating the already existing problem of the unequal distribution of income. In Nike, Social Responsibility and the Hidden Abode of Production is concerned with the role of the corporation in relation to the consumer, and the effect that the abode of production has on public opinion. This article analyzes Nike’s role as a socially responsible company, discussing the racism implicit in its advertising campaigns, the effect of “sneaker wars” on the inner city, and sweatshop accusations. This article expands on the role of the corporation in the idea of competitive consumption as discussed in the Schor article. Nike, in a popular ad campaign, introduced the “sneaker wars”, a competition for higher sales between Reebok and Nike. This campaign spurred a shoe-buying frenzy resulting in looting and violent crimes, especially within the inner city. In this instance, Nike actively encouraged the rapid and frenzied consumption of their product, even as it proved detrimental to their customers. In Why Johnny Can’t Dissent, Thomas Frank discusses the advertising strategies of the Information Age- sales tactics with motivations based on the ever-present need to change and dissent from what is currently popular. This need to constantly rebel results in an endless cycle of consumption, never-ending as advertisers exploit consumers desires to resist conformity. This relates to the idea of the corporation in consumption (still competitive, but in the sense that consumers want to top each other in terms of rebellion) by referring to the means by which corporations not only encourage rapid consumption, but continuously update trends in order to necessitate rapid consumption.
The three articles that I’ve chosen: the New Politics of Consumption, Nike, Social Responsibility and the Hidden Abode of Production, and Why Johnny Can’t Dissent all refer to the critical politics of consumption and the compulsion of Americans to over consume. In the New Politics of Consumption, Juliet Schor discusses the “competitive consumption” that Americans engage in, looking up to an aspirant class with higher economic standings and as a result, rapidly consuming products in an effort to keep up. The growing role of mass media in society has contributed heavily to this trend, with detrimental effects on low-income households, who are more likely to watch television and thus more likely to be exposed to desire to consume via television commercials. These consumption habits reproduce social and class inequality, exacerbating the already existing problem of the unequal distribution of income. In Nike, Social Responsibility and the Hidden Abode of Production is concerned with the role of the corporation in relation to the consumer, and the effect that the abode of production has on public opinion. This article analyzes Nike’s role as a socially responsible company, discussing the racism implicit in its advertising campaigns, the effect of “sneaker wars” on the inner city, and sweatshop accusations. This article expands on the role of the corporation in the idea of competitive consumption as discussed in the Schor article. Nike, in a popular ad campaign, introduced the “sneaker wars”, a competition for higher sales between Reebok and Nike. This campaign spurred a shoe-buying frenzy resulting in looting and violent crimes, especially within the inner city. In this instance, Nike actively encouraged the rapid and frenzied consumption of their product, even as it proved detrimental to their customers. In Why Johnny Can’t Dissent, Thomas Frank discusses the advertising strategies of the Information Age- sales tactics with motivations based on the ever-present need to change and dissent from what is currently popular. This need to constantly rebel results in an endless cycle of consumption, never-ending as advertisers exploit consumers desires to resist conformity. This relates to the idea of the corporation in consumption (still competitive, but in the sense that consumers want to top each other in terms of rebellion) by referring to the means by which corporations not only encourage rapid consumption, but continuously update trends in order to necessitate rapid consumption.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Question 11
11. Find two critical texts from the semester (at least two weeks apart), and discuss how they relate to or expand the argument of your overall topic for the semester, drawing on a specific advertisement you did NOT discuss in your papers (250-300 words).
The two critical texts I’ve chosen: Why Johnny Can’t Dissent and Cultural Studies vs. Political Economy, relate to this advertisement and my overall topic for the semester because they discuss the idea of dissent that is associated with progressive “green” politics and the relationship between consumption and cultural studies respectively. This advertisement contains an idea of dissent on two levels: the idea of being fuel efficient and environmentally friendly stands in opposition to the established expectation that cars are harmful to the environment, and the new “Sport Hybrid” dissents against the cultural idea of what a Hybrid car is, retaining the environmentally-friendly aspect while not “sacrificing” sports car features. This advertisement utilizes dissent in its main selling point, a characteristic of Information Age capitalism. The Grossberg article, Cultural Studies vs. Political Economy, connects the ideas of consumption, politics and class with cultural studies through articulation. Purchasing an eco-friendly car effectively articulates the consumer within dominant contemporary culture, connecting consumption and politics to environmentalism in contemporary culture. This relates to the central idea of my papers and my topic for the semester, the contradiction between the apparent support of environmentally friendly politics and the cost of these “eco” products. While a hybrid car is better for the environment, the high cost makes it an option only for the wealthy. Progressive politics is concerned with creating a global community based on sustainable and responsible practices, and this advertisement does not connect with these ideals due to the environmental product in question being a sports car.
The two critical texts I’ve chosen: Why Johnny Can’t Dissent and Cultural Studies vs. Political Economy, relate to this advertisement and my overall topic for the semester because they discuss the idea of dissent that is associated with progressive “green” politics and the relationship between consumption and cultural studies respectively. This advertisement contains an idea of dissent on two levels: the idea of being fuel efficient and environmentally friendly stands in opposition to the established expectation that cars are harmful to the environment, and the new “Sport Hybrid” dissents against the cultural idea of what a Hybrid car is, retaining the environmentally-friendly aspect while not “sacrificing” sports car features. This advertisement utilizes dissent in its main selling point, a characteristic of Information Age capitalism. The Grossberg article, Cultural Studies vs. Political Economy, connects the ideas of consumption, politics and class with cultural studies through articulation. Purchasing an eco-friendly car effectively articulates the consumer within dominant contemporary culture, connecting consumption and politics to environmentalism in contemporary culture. This relates to the central idea of my papers and my topic for the semester, the contradiction between the apparent support of environmentally friendly politics and the cost of these “eco” products. While a hybrid car is better for the environment, the high cost makes it an option only for the wealthy. Progressive politics is concerned with creating a global community based on sustainable and responsible practices, and this advertisement does not connect with these ideals due to the environmental product in question being a sports car.
Question 7
7. Explain how the following video, How To Make Your Breasts Look Bigger, is both an appropriation and reappropriation of sexual signifiers, and discuss the implications of the film from both perspectives (i.e., the appropriation and reappropriation of sexual signifiers from early pornography) (100-150 words).
This video is an appropriation of sexual signifiers because it borrows techniques and imagery from early pornographic films, drawing on the expressions and visuals used in that counterculture, for use in an informational video in the style traditionally used by the dominant. This video is also a re-appropriation of sexual signifiers because the desire to make your breasts look bigger is an ideology reinforced by the dominant. This low-budget film re-appropriates this idea and portrays it humorously utilizing the style of an early pornographic film. As an appropriation of sexual signifiers, the video can be seen more as a legitimate instructional video, but as a re-appropriation it can be seen as a humorous critique of society’s standards of attractiveness.
This video is an appropriation of sexual signifiers because it borrows techniques and imagery from early pornographic films, drawing on the expressions and visuals used in that counterculture, for use in an informational video in the style traditionally used by the dominant. This video is also a re-appropriation of sexual signifiers because the desire to make your breasts look bigger is an ideology reinforced by the dominant. This low-budget film re-appropriates this idea and portrays it humorously utilizing the style of an early pornographic film. As an appropriation of sexual signifiers, the video can be seen more as a legitimate instructional video, but as a re-appropriation it can be seen as a humorous critique of society’s standards of attractiveness.
Question 9
9) Find a “news” story from the Onion News Network, and compare it to a contemporary news story or clip from a “real” news source (a TV channel, newspaper, etc.). Discuss them both in terms of gatekeeping and agenda-setting functions, as well as the breakdown and reevaluation of discourse that Baym talks about in his article. Citing Baym will help (100-150 words).
The Onion article: http://www.theonion.com/articles/20000-sacrificed-in-annual-blood-offering-to-corpo,18542/, MSNBC article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40470093/ns/business-holiday_retail/
The lines between real and “fake” news may be blurred, though it is easy to tell which of these articles is satirical. The Onion uses humor to critically analyze the frenzy surrounding Black Friday, and consumer attitudes towards their exploitation by large corporations. The MSNBC article focuses the agenda on the importance of consumer spending, detailing the large role it plays in the US economy, especially during the holiday season. The article discusses successes of large corporations in the massive amounts of spending that occurred on Black Friday, but acts as a gatekeeper in its failure to address consumer debts incurred by impulse “bargain” shopping and trampling, frenzied crowds. The Onion article presents Black Friday critically, satirically portraying the often-barbaric “ritual” American consumers engage in every year in mass spending. The agenda here is focused on the way that large corporations take advantage of consumers in order to ensure “successes” (for businesses only) while the people suffer and are exploited. Satirical news organizations breakdown the news critically in order to reevaluate it, exposing issues that may have been held back by corporate “gatekeeping”.
The Onion article: http://www.theonion.com/articles/20000-sacrificed-in-annual-blood-offering-to-corpo,18542/, MSNBC article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40470093/ns/business-holiday_retail/
The lines between real and “fake” news may be blurred, though it is easy to tell which of these articles is satirical. The Onion uses humor to critically analyze the frenzy surrounding Black Friday, and consumer attitudes towards their exploitation by large corporations. The MSNBC article focuses the agenda on the importance of consumer spending, detailing the large role it plays in the US economy, especially during the holiday season. The article discusses successes of large corporations in the massive amounts of spending that occurred on Black Friday, but acts as a gatekeeper in its failure to address consumer debts incurred by impulse “bargain” shopping and trampling, frenzied crowds. The Onion article presents Black Friday critically, satirically portraying the often-barbaric “ritual” American consumers engage in every year in mass spending. The agenda here is focused on the way that large corporations take advantage of consumers in order to ensure “successes” (for businesses only) while the people suffer and are exploited. Satirical news organizations breakdown the news critically in order to reevaluate it, exposing issues that may have been held back by corporate “gatekeeping”.
Question 13 - Bonus!
13) Discuss how the three waves of feminism are each trying to build on, and address shortcomings in, the earlier waves’ treatment of gender politics. In the first wave, in other words, what are they trying to fix about society? In the second, what are they trying to add to and fix in the first wave? In the third, what are they trying to add to and fix in the first and second waves? Discuss this through an image or video you find online. (150-200 words).
The three waves of feminism build on each other to gain different types of rights for women in society. The first wave of feminism tried to fix the extreme disparity between the rights of men and women. It gained quantitative rights for women, allowing them the basic levels of human existence. Women gained the basic human rights of a citizen of a democratic society, such as the right to own land, and the ability to divorce. The second wave added qualitative rights, and allowed women equal recognition and quality of life within a democratic society. It built on the basic rights achieved in the first wave by empowering women rather than just giving them the same rights as men, attempting to make them equal to men in quality of life rather than just giving them basic rights. The third wave expanded on these roles by giving women agency- rather than just having the right to a happy life, feminists of the third wave gave women the right to have a happy life any way they chose. While second wave feminists. This image shows the disparity between second and third wave feminists. A second wave feminist would say that being spanked is be demeaning to women, and therefore should not occur, even if the woman being spanked enjoys it. A third wave feminist might agree that being spanked is degrading, but would not deny a woman or judge her choice of engaging in this action if she desired it.
The three waves of feminism build on each other to gain different types of rights for women in society. The first wave of feminism tried to fix the extreme disparity between the rights of men and women. It gained quantitative rights for women, allowing them the basic levels of human existence. Women gained the basic human rights of a citizen of a democratic society, such as the right to own land, and the ability to divorce. The second wave added qualitative rights, and allowed women equal recognition and quality of life within a democratic society. It built on the basic rights achieved in the first wave by empowering women rather than just giving them the same rights as men, attempting to make them equal to men in quality of life rather than just giving them basic rights. The third wave expanded on these roles by giving women agency- rather than just having the right to a happy life, feminists of the third wave gave women the right to have a happy life any way they chose. While second wave feminists. This image shows the disparity between second and third wave feminists. A second wave feminist would say that being spanked is be demeaning to women, and therefore should not occur, even if the woman being spanked enjoys it. A third wave feminist might agree that being spanked is degrading, but would not deny a woman or judge her choice of engaging in this action if she desired it.
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