PURPOSE
The purpose of the assignment is for you to gain a broader understanding of how LGBTQ+ representation has changed in the media and how it influences broader societal attitudes, knowledge an understanding about LGBTQ+ identities and community at large.
DIRECTIONS
This is Your Final Exam Assignment worth 200 points.
1. You will watch either LGBTQ+ TV Show, TV Series, Documentary, Movie, or observe LGBTQ+ content on Marketing, Podcasts, advertisement, internet or read LGBTQ+ themed book (fiction or non fiction) or comic or play a video game and write an Essay which will be minimum 5-7 page double spaced (you can write more than 5 pages but not less), font 12, Times New Roman.
2. In your Essay you will be analyzing the following (answering these questions and adding your own insights and analysis)
A. How have LGBTQ people been represented in popular media? (In the particular movie, or TV show etc. you watched or book you read etc.)
B. What negative—and positive— stereotypes have characterized them?
C. How have these images changed over time in different media?
D. Do you think 10 years ago the representation would have been the same? Yes or no and why?
E. How can we account for these changes? Including how gender, race, class, and economic factors shape how we understand sexuality and it’s representation.
F. Look at both mainstream and alternative media to consider the role of LGBTQ+ producers and audiences in shaping queer images.
G. Consider on-going debates about visibility, stereotypes and what may till now limit the positive representation of LGBTQ+ in the media and what are the factors that help to emphasize positive representation in the media.
H. Analyze how media representation of LGBTQ+ individuals and characters have changed and why and how in your opinion this change can be attributed to social activism by LGBTQ+ individuals and how much of the change in media contributed to social evolution? If any.
I. Add any of your insights in terms of the future of LGBTQ+ media and if you were a director what changes would you implement to increase positive representation of lGBTQ+ individuals in the popular media?
J. Add any additional insights and analysis you may have. Be Creative!