Exploring representations of gender and sexuality in pop culture

Winter 2023 Project Proposal

 Anqi Chen & Karen Ramires

For this upcoming winter quarter, we want to continue the conversation of gender and sexuality and how it connects to pop culture. Music is a significant component of our daily life. For many of us, music has become an essential necessity. Music has become a comfort shield as one interacts with the outside world. Music is also utilized as a tool of self-expression. In continuing the discussion of pop culture, we can engage a diverse set of students to have meaningful conversations about gender and sexuality.

Course Title:  Exploring Representations of Gender and Sexuality in Pop-Culture

Brief description:

In this course, we briefly dive into the ways that gender and sexuality have been constructed

socially, historically, and culturally. A large component of this course will be focusing on the

ways pop culture influences our gender &amp, sexuality journey. We will be analyzing mainstream Rap musicians and other pop artists to have a better understanding of the implications of living in a heteronormative society that is vastly influenced by the media. Students will be asked to critically analyze and interpret their experiences with gender roles, by engaging in interactive discussions and creative reflections. Each week we will be delving into different ideas about Gender and Sexuality to mobilize our skills and interests in other contexts. Examples of how we connect theories and practice could be how people develop and sustain a sense of identity. You will read, listen, and watch music videos about these ideas and extend your understanding as you observe learning through media.

Overall outcomes/goals:

1. Define key terms related to modern notions of gender and sexuality
2. Compare and contrast the various ways gender & sexuality is presented in different cultures.
3. Have open discussions among peers about what we do know and don’t know regarding gender & sexuality.
4. Examine the pop culture we consumed daily.
5. Discuss the presence of music and its influence on queer existence & culture.

Why is it important?

Violence against Queer and non-cis-gender individuals continue to be heavily prevalent. This violence is frequently ignored and not given enough visibility within academic spaces. We want to foster an environment where these conversations can be held and given visibility. Having these conversations is important because Gender and sexuality are centrally important identities that shape every aspect of our lives. These topics impact everyone. Gender is merely performative practices encoded into us by society - through social, religious, and cultural institutions and texts expectations that we are to perform specific roles and replicate the conditions that perpetuate it.

Outline by week: