MEDIA, CULTURE AND DIVERSITY
LECTURE 1 INTRODUCTION
Giving examples and giving reasons why we should study this topic
Diversity and Identity: Important in Today’s Society
This course looks at how media and pop culture handle diversity.
Talking about identity can feel personal.
o Hate speech or discrimination is not allowed.
o You are not required to share personal experiences or speak from a specific
perspective
1/ WHAT’S AT STAKE
VOORBEELDEN GENDER AND RACE
ALYSSA MILANO
is an American actress, producer, and activist
she’s known for her political activism and involvement in
the #MeToo movement.
Because of this tweet there was a whole movement
This shows how strong popular media is
THE VOICE
a judge was acused op rape
this led to a change in relation to sexuality and gender
OSCARSSOWHITE
a lot of award winners are white
few people of color won an oscar
not as much impact #metoo but #oscarsozhite also led to some
changes
O desensitizing their team
FC DE KAMPIOENEN
there were episodes were there were racists comments or black
faces
these weren4t allowed to be aired anymore
you could still watch them online
= Fawlty Towers England
VOORBEELDEN DISABILITIES
WILLIAM BOEVA
he felt that people laughed way to much with disabilities
they should be shown in other programs as well where the
focus isn’t the disability
,SNOWSHITE
should we show the dwarfs as the little people in snow white?
Gert verhult had ook een idee om een remake te
maken met de kleine dwergen
in België waren de mensen met dwarfism
hiervoor aangezien ze anders bijna nooit mogen
acteren en hier kregen ze een kans
THE LAST OF US, SPECIFICALLY EPISODE 3:
Episode 3 is highly praised, with some calling it "one of the best TV
episodes of 2023."
Review-bombing: The episode received a suspiciously high number of 1-star
ratings (28.4%) on IMDb, suggesting intentional downvoting.
General response: While the first two episodes had almost no negative
reviews, this one stirred controversy.
They are doing something different ( two man are kissing )
Vergelijkbaar: CLOSE, LE OTTO MONTAGNE
Showing different problems with masculinity
What happens if you want to show this differently
TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EXAMPLES
Increased Focus on Media’s Role Popular media plays a key role in shaping how we see
and understand minority identities.
o Rising demand for fair and balanced representation in media.
o Some argue: "The pendulum has swung too far," meaning representation
efforts might feel excessive to some.
CULTURE WARS AREN’T NEW
o 19th Century: Conflicts arose during the creation of democratic nation-
states.
o These "wars" were debates over the role of religion and what values should
represent modern states.
o Today’s Battles: Often fought through media and culture.
MEDIA CONTROVERSIES: Often seen as small issues, but they can affect real
lives.
IMPACT ON MINORITIES: Backlashes affect their daily experiences.
LEGAL RIGHTS FOR MINORITIES: They have protections and inclusive policies,
but these rights aren’t always guaranteed and could be taken away
POLITICIANS AND POLICY-MAKERS: Recognize how media shapes society
and identity.
BIG TECH AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES: Driven by profit, they promote
diversity and inclusion when it aligns with their interests.
, REPRESENTATION MATTERS: How groups are portrayed in media influences
real-life opportunities and perceptions.
ACTIVISTS AND MINORITIZED AUDIENCES: Closely monitor media’s role in
helping or harming minority communities and their living conditions
2/COURSE SETUP
The approach of this course is threefold
(1) Understanding History
How views on identity have changed over time.
The growth of research on diversity in media and culture.
Key moments and trends in how minoritized groups are portrayed.
(2) Learning Theories on Media and Diversity
Ideas from experts in media, culture, and society.
Helps us understand how media handles diversity.
(3) Analyzing Modern Cases
Looking at current media trends and events.
Reflecting on new challenges and changes in today’s society.
CONCRETE OBJECTIVES
1. Understanding Media, Culture, and Diversity
o Learn key ideas, theories, and debates in media and cultural studies.
o Explore how these concepts apply to past and present issues involving
diversity.
2. Applying Concepts to Real-Life Cases
o Use key theories to analyze historical and current events related to media
and diversity.
o Make well-informed judgments based on scholarly research.
3. Recognizing the Importance of Media Studies
o Explain how media and cultural studies help us understand today’s
problems.
o Show the social role and responsibility of media scholars.
4. Conducting Group Research
o Collaborate on a small research project focusing on diversity and media
culture.
o Analyze and interpret your findings together as a team.
5. Presenting Your Research
o Share your research clearly and confidently with fellow students.
o Keep it concise, focused, and engaging.
SCOPE
• Focus on five different axes of identity
• ‘Gender’, ‘sexual orientation’, ‘race, ethnicity, and diaspora’, ‘dis/ability’,
‘social class’
• mainly minoritized identities, also attention to ‘majority’ identities
• Mainly scholars within field of media and cultural studies
• Three major cultural industries in popular media culture
• Film, television, popular music
, • Culture produced and consumed in Western capitalist economies and democratic
countries
• Cases from Anglophone countries & lesser-known examples
from non-Anglophone countries
POSTER PRESENTATION
• Student presentations of group assignments on campus
• Four days of presentations: you only need to attend the session (not even the
whole day) in which your poster is scheduled; each session will last an hour
• Thursday 8 May: Students Social Sciences keep their schedule free between 13:30
and 19:00
• Thursday 15 May: Students Social Sciences keep their schedule free between
13:30 and 19:00
• Monday 19 May: UGent-students keep their schedule free between 9:00 and 19:00
• Thursday 22 May: Students Social Sciences keep their schedule free between
13:30 and 19:00
• Practical information will be shared later!
Zie de opgave in lecture 1
LECTURE 1 INTRODUCTION
Giving examples and giving reasons why we should study this topic
Diversity and Identity: Important in Today’s Society
This course looks at how media and pop culture handle diversity.
Talking about identity can feel personal.
o Hate speech or discrimination is not allowed.
o You are not required to share personal experiences or speak from a specific
perspective
1/ WHAT’S AT STAKE
VOORBEELDEN GENDER AND RACE
ALYSSA MILANO
is an American actress, producer, and activist
she’s known for her political activism and involvement in
the #MeToo movement.
Because of this tweet there was a whole movement
This shows how strong popular media is
THE VOICE
a judge was acused op rape
this led to a change in relation to sexuality and gender
OSCARSSOWHITE
a lot of award winners are white
few people of color won an oscar
not as much impact #metoo but #oscarsozhite also led to some
changes
O desensitizing their team
FC DE KAMPIOENEN
there were episodes were there were racists comments or black
faces
these weren4t allowed to be aired anymore
you could still watch them online
= Fawlty Towers England
VOORBEELDEN DISABILITIES
WILLIAM BOEVA
he felt that people laughed way to much with disabilities
they should be shown in other programs as well where the
focus isn’t the disability
,SNOWSHITE
should we show the dwarfs as the little people in snow white?
Gert verhult had ook een idee om een remake te
maken met de kleine dwergen
in België waren de mensen met dwarfism
hiervoor aangezien ze anders bijna nooit mogen
acteren en hier kregen ze een kans
THE LAST OF US, SPECIFICALLY EPISODE 3:
Episode 3 is highly praised, with some calling it "one of the best TV
episodes of 2023."
Review-bombing: The episode received a suspiciously high number of 1-star
ratings (28.4%) on IMDb, suggesting intentional downvoting.
General response: While the first two episodes had almost no negative
reviews, this one stirred controversy.
They are doing something different ( two man are kissing )
Vergelijkbaar: CLOSE, LE OTTO MONTAGNE
Showing different problems with masculinity
What happens if you want to show this differently
TAKEAWAYS FROM THE EXAMPLES
Increased Focus on Media’s Role Popular media plays a key role in shaping how we see
and understand minority identities.
o Rising demand for fair and balanced representation in media.
o Some argue: "The pendulum has swung too far," meaning representation
efforts might feel excessive to some.
CULTURE WARS AREN’T NEW
o 19th Century: Conflicts arose during the creation of democratic nation-
states.
o These "wars" were debates over the role of religion and what values should
represent modern states.
o Today’s Battles: Often fought through media and culture.
MEDIA CONTROVERSIES: Often seen as small issues, but they can affect real
lives.
IMPACT ON MINORITIES: Backlashes affect their daily experiences.
LEGAL RIGHTS FOR MINORITIES: They have protections and inclusive policies,
but these rights aren’t always guaranteed and could be taken away
POLITICIANS AND POLICY-MAKERS: Recognize how media shapes society
and identity.
BIG TECH AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES: Driven by profit, they promote
diversity and inclusion when it aligns with their interests.
, REPRESENTATION MATTERS: How groups are portrayed in media influences
real-life opportunities and perceptions.
ACTIVISTS AND MINORITIZED AUDIENCES: Closely monitor media’s role in
helping or harming minority communities and their living conditions
2/COURSE SETUP
The approach of this course is threefold
(1) Understanding History
How views on identity have changed over time.
The growth of research on diversity in media and culture.
Key moments and trends in how minoritized groups are portrayed.
(2) Learning Theories on Media and Diversity
Ideas from experts in media, culture, and society.
Helps us understand how media handles diversity.
(3) Analyzing Modern Cases
Looking at current media trends and events.
Reflecting on new challenges and changes in today’s society.
CONCRETE OBJECTIVES
1. Understanding Media, Culture, and Diversity
o Learn key ideas, theories, and debates in media and cultural studies.
o Explore how these concepts apply to past and present issues involving
diversity.
2. Applying Concepts to Real-Life Cases
o Use key theories to analyze historical and current events related to media
and diversity.
o Make well-informed judgments based on scholarly research.
3. Recognizing the Importance of Media Studies
o Explain how media and cultural studies help us understand today’s
problems.
o Show the social role and responsibility of media scholars.
4. Conducting Group Research
o Collaborate on a small research project focusing on diversity and media
culture.
o Analyze and interpret your findings together as a team.
5. Presenting Your Research
o Share your research clearly and confidently with fellow students.
o Keep it concise, focused, and engaging.
SCOPE
• Focus on five different axes of identity
• ‘Gender’, ‘sexual orientation’, ‘race, ethnicity, and diaspora’, ‘dis/ability’,
‘social class’
• mainly minoritized identities, also attention to ‘majority’ identities
• Mainly scholars within field of media and cultural studies
• Three major cultural industries in popular media culture
• Film, television, popular music
, • Culture produced and consumed in Western capitalist economies and democratic
countries
• Cases from Anglophone countries & lesser-known examples
from non-Anglophone countries
POSTER PRESENTATION
• Student presentations of group assignments on campus
• Four days of presentations: you only need to attend the session (not even the
whole day) in which your poster is scheduled; each session will last an hour
• Thursday 8 May: Students Social Sciences keep their schedule free between 13:30
and 19:00
• Thursday 15 May: Students Social Sciences keep their schedule free between
13:30 and 19:00
• Monday 19 May: UGent-students keep their schedule free between 9:00 and 19:00
• Thursday 22 May: Students Social Sciences keep their schedule free between
13:30 and 19:00
• Practical information will be shared later!
Zie de opgave in lecture 1
