Essay #1: Diversity and Representation in Pop Culture– Eng101 Fall 2014
Directions: Write an essay of 4-5 pages in response to one of the following questions.
Question #1: Consider a piece of pop culture that interests you. (A genre of music, a genre of film/tv, a genre of books, or a specific example of any of these.) As an analyst of popular culture, you will be making a claim about how the issues of representation and diversity we have discussed in class relate to the genre/show/etc. you have chosen. Questions to consider: 1. What assumptions/ideas about diversity does your chosen piece of pop culture support? 2. Is the way that this piece of pop culture handles diversity a positive thing that should be encouraged, or a negative thing that needs to change?
Sample topics: (You are not limited to these topics. These are simply examples of topics that would fit this question.) Remember, you may also write about music, film, or any other example of pop culture you wish.
- The portrayal of diversity in a particular genre/show. For example…
- Diversity on the tv show Glee.
- Diversity in science fiction films and tv shows
Question #2: Pick a minority/underrepresented group and analyze that group's portrayal/representation in a specific area of pop culture (this includes representation on the news, if you would like to go that route). As an analyst of pop culture, you will be exploring whether there are characters from this groupand/or issues that are relevant to this group represented in the type of media you chose. Questions to Consider:1. Howis the group represented? 2. What are the of the group you chose? 3. In general, how is this group represented by the area of the media you chose? Is it a fair representation? If so, defend and explain your answer. If not, what needs to change?
Sample topics: (You are not limited to these topics. These are simply examples of topics that would fit this question.)
- The treatment of a minority group in a genre of music/television. (Or by a particular series/film/musical group.)
- Portrayals of Asian Americans in current American sitcoms
- Portrayals of young black men in the news
- Portrayals of women in horror films
- Portrayals of gay/lesbian characters on Glee
Your essay should do these things:
- First, it should have a thesis statement that makes a claim about the question.
- Second, it should show an awareness of the conversation that is already going on about these issues.
- Third, it should build a clear, coherent argument in response to the promptand your sources.
Sources: You must cite (quote or summarize/paraphrase) at least three different reputable sources in this essay.
Length:4-5 pages. This means that your essay must be at least to the bottom of the fourth page when it is formatted correctly. (See your syllabus for my formatting requirements.) You must also include a works cited page in MLA format for any sources you quote in the body of your paper, including your text book. (This means that everyone will have a works cited page.)
Due Dates:
Rough Draft for peer review due Friday, 9/26(upload to turnitin)
Comments on peer drafts due on turnitin by Thursday, 10/2 (if possible, please print peer comments on your paper and bring to class)
Optional Rough Draft for instructor comments on turnitin due at 11:59 PM Sunday, 10/5 NOTE CHANGE TO SYLLABUS– Optional draft date has changed
Final Draft due Thursday, 10/16(upload to turnitin)