F06 :: Feminist Film Studies

1 - Watch (at least) one 30 minute episode of "Reality" TV

Focus on one particular episode from a "reality" TV show focused on or targeting women, young girls, or queer audiences. Makeover, weight loss, plastic surgery, model competition, sweet 16s and others would be great choices. You can choose to watch something you watch often (but watch critically or you can choose something you would absolutely not watch unless you were forced to).

If you do not have a television or access to TV or cable, you can visit the FMC lab and you can purchase a show off of itunes Store for $1.99 (with a credit card or debit/credit card). To do this, launch itunes, click on "itunes Store", go to "TV shows". They have a "reality TV" category, or choose by Network like "MTV" or . They have plastic surgery shows (Dr. 90210), MTV shows (Sweet 16), TLC shows (What Not To Wear), and Bravo (Black.White.).

2- Analyze the episode using a feminist intersectional analysis and key concepts from feminist film/media theory

Analyze the show using the feminist theory and film theory you’ve read thus far. Use concepts of gaze, intersectionality, identity, stereotypes, “scaling of bodies� / ranking of body type, skin color, hair texture, hair length+ , representational practices (construction of characters/caricatures, stereotypes), constructions of "reality", or any of the "issues" discussed in the course that you see reflected (or ignored) in the show you watched.

3 - Use theory to support your ideas/claims

Browse the .pdf files from the special issue of Feminist Media Studies focused on feminist analysis of “reality� television on our WebCT course site. Find an article that can add to your “reading� of the show you watched. You are also welcomed to find an alternative scholarly article to help analyze your viewing experience.

Select a few relevant quotes from any applicable course readings and at least one passage from the additional article (from Feminist Media Studies or other relevant scholarly article) that you chose to read.

4 - Post your 300 to 500 word entry, that cites at least one scholarly essay, by noon 11/27.

Your entry should be 300 to 500 words (about a double spaced page). Suggestion: type in word then cut and paste into blog entry to get word count, spell check, and to back up your writing.