Videogames: Further feminist theory

-

 Further feminist theory: blog tasks


Use our Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) or here using your Greenford Google login. Find Media Factsheet #169 Further Feminist Theory, read the whole of the Factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) What definitions are offered by the factsheet for ‘feminism ‘and ‘patriarchy’?

Feminism is a movement which aims for equality for women – to be treated as equal to men socially, economically, and politically.
patriarchy (male dominance in society). Feminists see the patriarchy as a limitation to women receiving the same treatment and benefits as their male counterparts.


2) Why did bell hooks publish her 1984 book ‘Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center’?

She had identified a lack of diversity within the feminist movement, and argued that these diverse voices had been marginalised, being put outside the main body of feminism.

3) What aspects of feminism and oppression are the focus for a lot of bell hooks’s work?

“Women in lower class and poor groups, particularly those that are non- white, would not have defined women’s liberation as women gaining social equality with men since they are continually reminded in their everyday lives that all women do not share a common social status.” Here hooks argues that feminism’s goal to make all women equal to men is flawed; not all men are equal to men as a result of oppression, sexuality, ethnicity.

4) What is intersectionality and what does hooks argue regarding this?

Intersectionality is defined as the common point of two forms of oppression and how they work against a particular group of people. For example, black feminism addresses both gender and race discrimination. bell hooks suggests that race is so significant that the experiences of gender, class or sexuality-based discrimination cannot be fully understood without also considering race.


5) What did Liesbet van Zoonen conclude regarding the relationship between gender roles and the mass media?

Van Zoonen concludes that there is a strong relationship between gender (stereotypes, pornography and ideology) and communication, but it is also the mass media that leads to much of the observable gender identity structures in advertising, film and TV.

6) Liesbet van Zoonen sees gender as socially constructed. What does this mean and which other media theorist we have studied does this link to?

van Zoonen sees gender as socially constructed. This links to the theorist Butler who argues that society is socially constructed thus gender is a performance

7) How do feminists view women’s lifestyle magazines in different ways? Which view do you agree with?

Feminists view lifestyle magazines in various ways for example through a Radical, Liberal and Marxist view.

8) In looking at the history of the colours pink and blue, van Zoonen suggests ideas gender ideas can evolve over time. Which other media theorist we have studied argues this and do you agree that gender roles are in a process of constant change? Can you suggest examples to support your view?

This links to David Gauntlett who suggests that gender is more fluid therefore today, it has become less constricted.

9) What are the five aspects van Zoonen suggests are significant in determining the influence of the media?
  • Gender is constructed
  • These constructions reflect social and cultural contexts 
  • The objectification of the female body is a key construct of western culture
  • equality itself is repressive
10) What other media theorist can be linked to van Zoonen’s readings of the media?
  • Butler
  • bell hooks
  • Gauntlett
  • Gilroy
  • Hall
11) Van Zoonen discusses ‘transmission models of communication’. She suggests women are oppressed by the dominant culture and therefore take in representations that do not reflect their view of the world. What other theory and idea (that we have studied recently) can this be linked to?

12) Finally, van Zoonen has built on the work of bell hooks by exploring power and feminism. She suggests that power is not a binary male/female issue but reflects the “multiplicity of relations of subordination”. How does this link to bell hooks views on feminism and intersectionality?

bell hooks suggests that race is so significant that the experiences of gender, class or sexuality-base discrimination cannot be fully understood without taking race into consideration

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MIGRAIN:Narrative

-
Image
Narrative Media Factsheet 14: 1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium. The given example of a show using Todorov's narrative structure is Wallace and Gromit 2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a  clip  on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.  The clip that i used was season 1 episode 1 from stranger things. There is a group of boys who are playing a board game called Dungeons and Dragons. They are playing and having a great time as any child would but this is disrupted as the mother says it's time to finish the game and the friends must go home now. Mike, tries to convince his mum to let them play a little longer but she says no. As the friends leave the music increases and the fact that ...
Read more

Advertising: Assessment

-
David Gauntlett has argued against the idea that masculinity is 'in crisis'. To what extent do you believe masculinity is 'in crisis'? In your response you should refer to your Advertising and Marketing Close Study Products: the Score  hair cream advert (1967) and the Maybelline ‘That Boss Life’ YouTube advert (2017). I agree with this statement as Gauntlett argues that views of gender and sexuality, masculinity and femininity, identity and selfhood, are all in slow but steady processes of change and transformation. He also highlights the differences in views on identity between young and old- e.g. on homosexuality or masculinity and argues that the mass media has become more liberal, and considerably more challenging to traditional standards and this has been a reflection of changing attitudes, but also involves the media actively disseminating modern values. Moreover, there have been significant changes in the way gender roles are represented from the 1960s to...
Read more

Advertising: Narrative in Advertising

-
Image
1) How does the advert use narrative? Apply at least three narrative theories to the text, making specific reference to specific shots or key scenes in the advert. We can apply Todorov's equilibrium and disequilibrium theory to the text. This is because each time a character talks about their struggles/ problems training for their sport in the capital. (which can be seen as disequilibrium), Nike can be seen as the equilibrium as it is introduced every time a character's issue is established. Nike is continuously reappearing in throughout the advert to make it recognisable to the audience as well as to connote that Nike can be seen as the solution to all problems. We can also apply Propp's elements of a character theory to the text. This is because Nike as the brand being promoted can be seen as the hero. The saviour to all the problems as mentioned above. The characters can be seen as the princess' who are in dire need of help.  We also apply ...
Read more