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Syllabi: Images of Women in Popular Culture: Medical Implications
INSTITUTION: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
PRESENTERS:
Anita Pokorny, M.Ed., Director, Student Services & Registrar
Polly Moss, M.Ed., Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Martin Kohn, Ph.D., Director of the Human Values in Medicine Program (email: mfk@neoucom.EDU)
ENROLLMENT: BS/MD; selective; limit: 20
SEMESTER: Winter 2000
January 26, February 2, 9, 16 (Tuesday afternoons 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.)
LEARNING GOALS:
1. To explore the images of women in popular culture disseminated through the mass media and how these integrated patterns and beliefs are transmitted to succeeding generations.
2. To identify how these images influence basic assumptions about societal roles and expectations of women and, therefore, female development.
3. To raise individual consciousness about the influence of pop culture and its affect on our own stereotypes, personal and professional relationships and patient care.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: In-class discussion of popular culture will enable participants to investigate the collective value system in media that influences female development and will include selected readings on female development, excerpts from television, print media, movies, music, and written critiques. Female development includes but is not limited to female roles, body image, behavior, sexuality and the youth focus.
OUTLINE:
WEEK 1 (January 25): Introduction: The Cinderella Complex
This session will serve as an introduction to the study of images of women in popular culture through an historical look at the portrayal of women in the media. Also, participants will examine images of girls on Saturday morning cartoons, as Disney characters and fairy tale figures, and through products and marketing to young girls.
Required Reading:
Susan Douglas: Where the Girls Are: Growing Up Female with the Mass Media, pp. 3-42, 295- 307
Sara Halprin: Look at My Ugly Face: Myths and Musings on Beauty and Other Perilous
Obsessions with Women's Appearance, pp. 75-96
Media Influence Pre-Test
Images of Women in Popular Culture, An Historical Perspective
Film: Disney Princesses
Excercise: Review of Print Media
Video Clips: Miscellaneous cartoons and commercials
Discussion of Homework Assignment (to be brought to first clas session):
Prepare a 1-page paper discussing a character from popular culture who was an early influence on you. Why did you admire this character? How did they influence you? Provide examples to share with the class, if possible.
WEEK 2 (February 2): Girls and Self-esteem
This session will focus on the influence of popular culture on adolescent girls and the development of self-esteem and on societal expectations and behavior. Participants will examine clips from prime-time television shows, music and music videos, magazines and movies marketed to teenagers.
Required Reading:
Carol Gilligan: In a Different Voice, pp. ix-xxvii
Mary Pipher: Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls, pp. 17-73
Video: Mary Pipher Speech
Excercise: Self-Esteem Rip-Off
Slide Show: Girls and Advertising
Television:
Felicity
Dawson's Creek
Seventh Heaven
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer
Charmed
Film: Ever After
Debate: Does Our Society Idealize Women?
Discussion of Homework Assignment: Prepare a 1-page critique of a television show, movie, advertisement or other image from popular culture geared towards adolescent girls. Provide an example to share with the class, if possible.
WEEK 3 (February 8): Beauty Paradigms
This session will focus on the impact of popular culture on standards of beauty, body image and aging through an examination of popular women's magazines, advertising and other trends such as the "Supermodel" phenomenon.
Required Reading:
Naomi Wolfe: The Beauty Myth, pp. 20-85, pp. 179-217
Sara Halprin: Look at My Ugly Face: Myths and Musings on Beauty and Other Perilous
Obsessions with Women's Appearance, pp. 186-207
Short Story: "Life Size" by Jenefer Shute
Television:
The Twilight Zone, "The Eye of the Beholder"
Suddenly Susan, "The Nose"
Miscellaneous Clips
Debate: Does Appearance Matter?
Film excerpt: Slim Hopes
Excercise: Pieces Parts
Discussion of Homework Assignment:
Prepare a 1-page paper discussing the definition of beauty in a culture other than America. Provide examples to share with the class, if possible.
WEEK 4 (February 15): Female Role Models
In this session participants will examine women's roles in popular culture by viewing and discussing excerpts from popular television programs and through televised and print "hard" news items.
Required Reading:
Short Story: "Out of Habit I Start Apologizing" by Pam Houston
Television:
Ally McBeal
Just Shoot Me
Veronica's Closet
Touched by an Angel
NYPD Blue
Film: Courage Under Fire
First Wives Club
"Real" women in the news
Media Influence Post-Test
Discussion of Homework Assignment:
Prepare a 1-page paper discussing "Life at 40"
Prepare a 2-page paper discussing the medical implications of images of women in popular culture on professional relationships and patient care.
REQUIREMENTS:
Active participation in class discussions and completion of writing assignments.
HVM Credits: 4