by Nicole Findlay
Students are looking beyond the fizz of pop culture to examine the underlying messages conveyed by seemly innocuous entertainment media.
Using the popular television series Sex in the City to frame their discussion, students participating in Debra Graham’s First-year Seminar, will examine the relationships between gender, sex and popular culture.
“Sex and the City: Gender, Sex and Popular Culture” was developed by Graham, an instructor in the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women’s Studies, after the provocative title was advertised by the institute.
“My current research is within the broad area of media and gender, and the title suggested that the department encouraged a bold approach, a good sense of humour, and a willingness to explore provocative material,” said Graham.
Throughout the year, students will examine how boundaries of sex and gender are defined and articulated by television, film, books, magazines, music and the internet. They will also question whether or not our society’s gender identities and sexual values are conveyed through the media to reinforce conservative ideologies and maintain traditional power structures; and if these same media are used to upend traditional gender and power stereotypes.
“My intention is not only to offer the students a thorough grounding in the most current and salient debates, but also to launch them in an ongoing process of re-evaluation and critique of sex, gender and popular culture,” said Graham.
A recent class, entitled Cover Girl to coincide with an episode by the same name, began with a video clip in which the series’ protagonist, Carrie, expresses her shock at a proposed cover for her new book. In response to the engineered picture of herself naked striding the streets of New York City, she exclaims, “reading about sex is a lot different than seeing it.”
The quote sets the stage for the discussion that ensues about the print media. In groups, students read analyses of and critique the representations of gender found in both women’s and men’s magazines. Finally, oral presentations give class members an opportunity to address a topic of specific interest to them, such as a comparison of the images and texts in Cosmopolitan vs. Maxim magazines.
Graham hopes students will develop an ability to critically evaluate gender and sex messaging, and the extent to which these impact stereotypes, inequality or self-perception. Students will hone their analytical skills both from a consumer perspective, while also considering their own role and responsibilities in shaping the future.