Behind the Music

Main Post Due: 3/8
Comments Due: 3/13
Sign up for song by 3/1

Music is an influential media outlet present in our everyday lives. Music is not merely on the radio, but on TV shows, commercials, movies, and even political campaigns. There have been entire generations defined by music and whole individual identities created around music. Considering the power and wide spread use of music in our culture, you are to reflect on how music may or may not perpetuate systems of violence.

Using two of the readings from the section on violence against women (2/24 and 3/1 readings), write a 500-word response on one of the songs provided at the end of this posting. To avoid excessive repetition, you will choose one of the below songs on a “first come first serve” basis. ***There can only be 3 students to a song. Post your song choice as a comment to this blog so other students can see what songs are unavailable. Song choices sent via email will not be accepted.

Use the following questions to guide your response, but do not merely answer these questions. Remember that you are expected to conduct an analysis of this text and not merely describe it. Use of the course texts to inform your analysis is required (minimum two cited sources from the readings).

Please reply to two classmates postings by March 13th.

Questions:

1. How does the musician perpetuate and/or challenge systems of violence?

2. How is violence used/discussed in the song? Do video representations significantly change the depiction of violence?

3. How does gender, race, and class relate to violence in the song. Does class affect the violence? Is the violence directed at women or men?

4. How does the song address physical/sexual abuse? Does it make fun of abuse or does it bring awareness?

5. How are physical bodies portrayed in the song?

6. How do constructions of femininity and/or masculinity fit into the setting of violence?

7. Has this song been used in films or commercials? Is the song part of a longer collection of songs or does it stand on its own?

8. Is this song popular? If so, according to online music forums why is this song popular?

9. How are power systems negotiated in the lyrics?

10. What does this song do for a feminist discussion of violence against women?

Song Choices and Possible Video Considerations:

1. Date Rape by Sublime
a. Lyrics link: http://www.lyrics007.com/Sublime%20Lyrics/Date%20Rape%20Lyrics.html
b. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeMeDihwyrg

2. Bonnie and Clyde by Eminem
a. Lyrics link: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/eminem/97_bonnie_and_clyde.html
b. Video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b_JvaFlJGU&feature=related

3. Rape Me by Nirvana
a. Lyrics link: http://www.metrolyrics.com/rape-me-lyrics-nirvana.html
b. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJE3eSdvWYo

4. Goodbye Earl by Dixie Chicks
a. Lyrics link: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dixie+chicks/goodbye+earl_20040999.html
b. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw7gNf_9njs

5. The Rake’s Song by The Decemberists
a. Lyrics link: http://www.metrolyrics.com/the-rakes-song-lyrics-decemberists.html
b. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSShUtevqDY

6. Die Die My Darling by Metalica
a. Lyrics link: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Die-Die-My-Darling-lyrics-Metallica/7091B3B7814013BE4825688D00358978
b. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXEITyvRAIs&feature=related

7. Smack My Bitch Up by Prodigy
a. Lyrics link: http://www.metrolyrics.com/smack-my-bitch-up-lyrics-prodigy.html
b. Video link: http://vodpod.com/watch/200321-video-smack-my-bitch-up-uncensored-prodigy-prodigy-smack-my-bitch-the-dailymotion-share-your-videos

8. Gonna Beat My Wife, Dead Milkmen
a. Lyrics link: http://www.metrolyrics.com/rcs-mom-lyrics-dead-milkmen.html

9. Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood
a. Lyrics Link: http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/underwood-carrie/before-he-cheats-16593.html
b.Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaSy8yy-mr8

WST Canceled today

This was sent via email to the entire class.

Hello Students,

Unfortunately, I have been feeling unwell and have to cancel class today. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

- Please make sure that you are up to date on your reading and come prepared to class. Start developing questions on these readings for the midterm review, since we will have less time to cover them and they are difficult readings.

- I had already planned to give you an extension on the blog assignment that would have been doing this week. I decided to give you an extension so that you could all get some extra study for your midterms. We will discuss this further in class.

- If you had a discussion leading today, you will now be leading on Wednesday along with the other students assigned for that day.

I apologize for canceling class and I will see you all later this week.

Nina Perez
jeaperez@mail.ucf.edu

Important Note to Students

Hello Everyone,

Please remember to use and cite two sources on your blogs if required. Multiple quotes from one source will not count and will affect your grade. When the assignment asks for two cited sources, it means two different texts. Thank you and enjoy your weekend.

Nina

EXTRA CREDIT!!!

Hello Students. I will offer 5 extra points on the midterm for all students that do the following:

- Attend the March 18^th opening of the Pink Art exhibit
- Sign the signup sheet at the event with guest name (you must bring a guest to get credit)
- Write a 350 word blog posting detailing the event by March 12th

OR

- Make an artistic submission for the exhibit

- Provide copy of entry form and acceptance email/letter

- Write a 350 word blog post on how your submission relates to feminism by March 21st

**** You can only do this extra credit if you did not complete the first one****

Information for the event is below.

TO ATTEND:

Thursday, March 18, 2010 - Saturday, April 17, 2010; 10:00am - 9:00pm

Location: CityArts Gallery (29 South Orange Avenue, Orlando)

UCF Women’s Studies program is sponsoring PINK ART, an exhibit to benefit Women's Studies scholarship and Keep a Breast Foundation. Students, photographers, poets, artists and fashion designers were invited to take an ordinary bra and turn it into a work of art, and the top 500 entries will be exhibited. All proceeds will be shared between UCF Women’s Studies Program scholarship fund and Keep a Breast Foundation.

More Information

womenst@mail.ucf.edu, 407-823-6502

TO SUBMIT:

Follow instructions on WST webpage

webpage at http://womensstudies.cah.ucf.edu/.

To set up email about comments

Hello Class. Rachel Miles figured out how to get comments emailed! Thank you Rachel M!

The following are the instructions:

* Go to your Blogger Dashboard.
* Click the "Settings" link under your listed blog (between "Edit Post" and "Layout").
* On the next page, click the "Comments" link (near the top of the page under the "Settings" tab).
* Scroll to the end of the page and find the box labeled "Comment Notification Email."
* Enter an email address.
* Click "Save Settings" at the bottom of the page.
* You're done!

I haven't tried this myself yet, so if any of you have trouble ask Rachel M via blog. Happy blogging!

Body/Sexuality Blog due 2/17/10

2/17/10 Blog Assignment

This week’s blog assignment will continue the discussion of “outside” influence on individual social development. Last week we focused on magazine images, but this week we will be working on film.

For this weeks blog posting choose a film from the list and the end of this entry to analyze. Write a 500-word response on the chosen film. Use the following topics to guide your response, but feel free to go above and beyond these topics. (Note: some of these films will discuss various topics such as body image and sexuality). Remember that you are expected to conduct an analysis of the film - not a summary. Use of the course texts to inform your analysis is required (at least two cited sources from the readings).

Please comment on at least one student’s blog by 2/19.

Topics:

· Keep an eye out for stereotypes and myths.

· How does this film represent intersecting forms of oppression? For example, Penelope discusses both beauty and class.

· How are women “role models” depicted?

· Who is wearing designer clothing and who isn’t?

· Are all the relationships heterosexual?

· Are the women only interested in romance?

· How is sexuality depicted? Who gets to be sexy?

· Is sexuality demonized in women or praised?

· Is the representation of people diverse? If so, do they fit cultural stereotypes?

· Are there happy single characters?

· Who is smart? Are they also autonomous and strong?

· Who is confident in business and/or school?

· Does any character downplay talents to reach a goal?

· How is body addressed? Is there a wide variety of body types? Does size determine personality types of the characters?

· Is the film selling something? Such as a product or lifestyle?

*****Movie List*****

· Penelope

· Bridget Jones Diary

· Princess Bride

· Twilight

· Teen Witch

· Harry Potter (any of the films)

· Pride and Prejudice

· Pretty in Pink

· Clueless

· Legally Blonde

· Little Women

· Rocky Horror Picture Show

· X-Men

· Kill Bill

· Iris

· Quills

· Closer

· Real Women Have Curves

· Whip it

· Hairspray

* The Ugly Truth

Blog Assignment due 2/8/2010

Blog Assignment due 2/8/2010

Taking a Second Look

In the upcoming weeks, we will continue discussing the influence of the media in people’s everyday lives. This assignment is to reflect on how popular media cultivates (or does not cultivate) a racist, sexist, ageist, lookist, classist, or homophobic culture.

Using an internet add of your choice, write a 500-word response on the ad provided. Use the following questions to guide your response, but do not merely answer these questions. Remember that you are expected to conduct an analysis of this image and not merely describe it. Use of the course texts to inform your analysis is required (at least two cited sources from the readings). A link or scanned image of your add must be included in the posting.

You must also respond to atleast one other students' blog posting by 2/10/2010.

Questions:

1. How are the people in the ad positioned? Are some passive while others are active? Who is portrayed as passive?

2. How does this add affect our ability to feel good about ourselves and our bodies?

3. Is this ad realistic?

4. What is this add trying to sell? Is it selling the product or something else?

5. Are different types of women portrayed in the ad? If so how are they portrayed the same or differently.

6. Is this a positive or negative representation of women?

7. How does this relate to “isms”- i.e. is this add racist, ageist, ect.

8. Does this woman look like you? Do you often see women that look like you in ads?

9. How is the body positioned? Are there body parts missing or dismembered?

10. Is the woman (or women) in the add smiling?

Pink Art

UCF’s Women’s Studies Program invites participation in PINK ART exhibit

February 1, 2010

Orlando, FL

Breast Cancer affects one in every three women in the United States. We think that is one woman too many. In an effort to create awareness the UCF Women’s Studies program is sponsoring PINK ART, an art exhibit to benefit Women’s Studies scholarship and Keep a Breast Foundation. All art forms are welcome including fashion and using a bra as a canvas. Take an ordinary bra and turn in into a work of art. So, whether you work best with feathers, sequins, fun or foam, let your inner artist take control! Pin it, sew it, duct-tape it, scrap it, quilt it, make it glow!

PINK ART is free and open to any student, photographer, poet, artist or fashion designer. The exhibit will open on March 18, 2010 at City Arts Gallery in downtown Orlando. The top 500 entries will be exhibited at City Arts Gallery for one month. All proceeds will be shared between UCF Women’s Studies Program scholarship fund and Keep a Breast Foundation. Selected entries will receive an in-kind donation tax deduction letter from the UCF Foundation, Inc for the cost of materials.

The Women’s Studies program at UCF focuses on analyzing women and gender relations in past and present societies, on women's contributions to their societies, on contemporary women's issues, and on theories concerning women and gender. The program aims to bring women's achievements and experiences into traditional subjects, but also to broaden the underlying assumptions of existing scholarship and to open new areas of study.

The deadline to participate is Feb. 25, 2010. For more information please contact our program at womenst@mail.ucf.edu, 407-823-6502, or visit our webpage at http://womensstudies.cah.ucf.edu/.