2010 Gotham Independent Film Award Winners Announced | MovieMaker Magazine

2010 Gotham Independent Film Award Winners Announced | MovieMaker Magazine: Best Feature: Winter's Bone

Going Androidgenous With Janelle Monáe | Mother Jones

Going Androidgenous With Janelle Monáe | Mother Jones

for 12/6: “Miss TSA” calendar reminds us just how unsexy some “sexy” poses are

“Miss TSA” calendar reminds us just how unsexy some “sexy” poses are

Chloe at Feministing says, "The photos were originally taken for another calendar that was designed to convince doctors to buy x-ray monitors. I appreciate these photos because they’re a reminder that, when you look at conventional definitions of “sexy” from a slightly different angle – in this case, from an angle that removes facial expression, hair, makeup, surrounding requisite beach or fur rug and leaves nothing but the body – those definitions start to look really ridiculous. These poses are totally absurd, so unlikely to be struck during actual real-life sex, and this particular form of photography throws that into sharp relief. It can be easy to forget, when you’re looking at a photo that includes all the images that serve as code for “sexy” – the hair, the pout, the lighting, the flesh – that it’s all a carefully orchestrated performance. These x-rays take that performance and remind us that it’s all a show, and not a very sexy one at that."

What do you say about them?

For 12/6: Amplify Your Voice launches video series on abstinence-only programs

What message is this video (Amplify Your Voice launches video series on abstinence-only programs) giving?

Eve Ensler: Embrace your inner girl - TEDWomen.aol.com

Eve Ensler: Embrace your inner girl - TEDWomen.aol.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Can Nicki Minaj cure hip-hop's misogyny?

Can Nicki Minaj cure hip-hop's misogyny?

Declutter your wardrobe: wear more of less - videos - *faircompanies

This is a great video, sent by a student, about having just enough clothes--not to many.

Declutter your wardrobe: wear more of less - videos - *faircompanies:

Theater Has a Gender Bias? Do Tell - NYTimes.com

Theater Has a Gender Bias? Do Tell - NYTimes.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Women & Hollywood — from a feminist perspective

Women & Hollywood — from a feminist perspective

Tina Fey Receives 13th Annual Mark Twain Prize Nov. 9; Jane Krakowski, Jennifer Hudson Perform - Playbill.com

She's just a comedian--not a "woman" comedian.
Tina Fey Receives 13th Annual Mark Twain Prize Nov. 9; Jane Krakowski, Jennifer Hudson Perform - Playbill.com:

Not A Balanced Breakfast: Gender Stats in Publishing for...2009? - She Writes

Not A Balanced Breakfast: Gender Stats in Publishing for...2009? - She Writes: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

PAPERMAG: Arts and Style - She's Got Balls: 12 Creative Women Get in Touch With Their Masculine Side

PAPERMAG: Arts and Style - She's Got Balls: 12 Creative Women Get in Touch With Their Masculine Side

EXCLUSIVE Ani DiFranco: “Feminism Will Save the World” – WMC Blog

EXCLUSIVE Ani DiFranco: “Feminism Will Save the World” – WMC Blog: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

just checking

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

Mother Trouble in Polly Stenham’s ‘That Face’ - NYTimes.com

Mother Trouble in Polly Stenham’s ‘That Face’ - NYTimes.com

Study Guide for Exam 3

Study Guide for WS 265 Exam 3

This Study guide is a general outline of what was covered in class—the student is ultimately responsible for knowing all material covered in class and listed in the reading assignments.

Read all posted readings for this exam as posted on WO and as listed in your syllabus.

Review notes from the films:
Who does she think she is?
Maya Lin: A strong Clear Vision
Desperately Seeking Susan

Review program from the Dance Concert and the notes taken in class from discussion of concert.

With regard to the readings, I’m going to write questions that have to do with:
How are women filmmakers regarded differently than male filmmakers?
Do women filmmakers do things differently? If so, how? How might a filmmaker that is both female and African American (Julie Dash) do things differently?
With what artists and artworks does Judy Chicago identify and not identify?
What is the “position” of women artists? Think bell hooks.
How does some art by African American women artists portray the “double discrimination” of race and sex? How might other art by the African American women portray hope?
What makes art “activist?”
How is Desperately Seeking Susan a feminist film? How is it different from earlier films that featured “The good girl and the bad girl” (virgin and whore)?

Study art works covered in readings and know them--for example, what is the composition of Emma Amos's "Tightrope"?

Kathryn Bigelow: Feminist pioneer or tough guy in drag? - Film Salon - Salon.com

Kathryn Bigelow: Feminist pioneer or tough guy in drag? - Film Salon - Salon.com

Trailer to Hurt Locker.

Music video: Why Feminism is still relevant.

Required for 5/3: Degendering Dance

Watch this video, Tightrope, by Janelle Monae, featuring Big Boi:

Degendering Dance… and Some History » Sociological Images



How is this a great example of how dancing doesn’t have to be sexualized or gendered by movement or attire?

Remember to sign your full name.

Required for 4/26: (Sign your FULL NAME--P L E A S E--EVERYONE) Love Your Body: 2010 Poster Contest Winners

Click on this link to look at Love Your Body Day poster winners:

Love Your Body: 2010 Poster Contest Winners

Which of the 4 posters shown ON THE LINKED PAGED (not here--these are just some examples from this year and years past) would you have picked as winner for 2010? Now, click here, and decide which poster you like best out of the winners from the last 10 years.

What is it you like about the posters you have chosen?

1 of 2 options required for 4/19: Et tu, Gaga? SIGN FULL NAME

Gaga sends mixed message: use contraception, but still women can't be strong and independent AND have lots of sex, as men can. Read the article, then comment.

Et tu, Gaga?

Susannah Breslin: Certifiable Asshole

What are "trigger warnings?" Answer is here:

Susannah Breslin: Certifiable Asshole

A first step in a feminist direction: The Healthy Media for Youth Act

This is really cool.

A first step in a feminist direction: The Healthy Media for Youth Act

Watch Louise Erdrich read her poem, "Advise to Myself"

Bill Moyers Journal . Watch & Listen | PBS

To hear only the poem, fast forward 21 minutes in:
Bill Moyers Journal . Watch & Listen | PBS


She also discusses being a mom and trying to write, and having had her early work rejected a lot.

Paid internship

RCRC - Programs

This is a paid internship for an African-American woman.

1 of 2 options required for 4/19: PinkShirtDay.ca |

For you post: first find out about Pink Shirt day, then discuss the ways that women are bullied that men are not (sexist jokes told in front of women, for example). What can we do to stand up to the bullying that's directed only at women?


PinkShirtDay.ca | 

Thanks to the class for giving a heads up on this one!

Required--another option for 4/19: Designers in Paris Veil Models in Protest of Proposed Burka Ban.

Designers in Paris Veil Models in Protest of Proposed Burka Ban.

Think back to Satrapi's protest about her college administrators complaining that women's veils weren't long enough and their pants weren't straight enough, and how she criticized them for never restricting men's dress. Should the French government outlaw Burkas? Or leave it up to women to decide how they should dress?

Required: 1 or 2 options for 4/12 (Sign full name): Art21 Uncut: Julie Mehretu Painting at Goldman Sachs on Vimeo

Here is a link to a short video of Julie Mehretu's recent and very large permanent painting in the new Goldman Sachs building in Manhattan. Mehretu is an Ethiopian-American artist. While at first the painting looks very abstract, it actually has a theme--geography and the movement of downtown Manhattan. In this class we usually look at women's art related to identity politics (often, prejudices based on race, class, and sex), but Mehretu is a woman artist concerned about other themes. Here is the link:

Art21 Uncut: Julie Mehretu Painting at Goldman Sachs on Vimeo

1 of 2 options required for 4/12: Ellen Page Rocks Our World

Read this short bit about actor Ellen Page:

Ellen Page Rocks Our World

Have you seen Juno and/or Whip It? What do you think of her willingness to say she's a feminist?

Required for 4/5. SIGN FULL NAME AFTER COMMENT!

Has anyone seen the new window seat video by Erykah Badu? (Click on the pic to play.) Watch it (it's on her website, but not on youtube) and then read this short blog post: There's also pictures here.

Is the video "Feminist Art or Shameless Publicity Stunt"? What do you make of the ending?

The Disney Tittie Test: Casting Call Requires "Real Breasts" Only

http://www.feministing.com/archives/020493.html

In photo, Keira Knightley had to wear a bodice so tight to "enhance" her breasts, she could only have it on for 10 minutes at a time without passing out.

The Hidden World of Girls

Angie shared this very interesting audio story about 2 women producers and their latest production, The Hidden World of Girls:

NPR Media Player

Required for 3/29: Haul monitors: Young women, YouTube and price of beauty

Kelly Keating emailed me this post from feministing.com.

Haul monitors: Young women, YouTube and price of beauty

Many of us expect social critics and feminists to criticize women for for spending money on their looks, but what is Chloe really saying here?

YouTube - Forty Six & 2 - Tool

A student shared this video with me. The lyrics are very introspective.

YouTube - Forty Six & 2 - Tool

YouTube - A Perfect Circle - Outsider (Director's Cut)

YouTube - A Perfect Circle - Outsider (Director's Cut)

What do you make of this music video?

Required for 3/21: Feminist highlights from the Academy Awards

Read this short article
Feminist highlights from the Academy Awards

And then comment on:

either the statistics of the Academy's best director aware: 82 years, 400 nominations, 4 women nominated, 1 awarded.

and/or comment on Mo'Nique's acceptance speech.

Oscars Spread Wealth to ‘Avatar,’ ‘Locker,’ ‘Precious’ - NYTimes.com

Kathryn Bigelow is first woman to win best director.
Oscars Spread Wealth to ‘Avatar,’ ‘Locker,’ ‘Precious’ - NYTimes.com

Quick Hit Update: Utah miscarriage criminalization bill withdrawn

Just an update on the story of Utah's efforts to make miscarriages illegal.
Quick Hit Update: Utah miscarriage criminalization bill withdrawn

Meet Solange: Beyonce's Younger, Cooler Sister - Culture - The Atlantic

Meet Solange: Beyonce's Younger, Cooler Sister - Culture - The Atlantic

Feminism, Progressive Values, and Glenn Beck - Raina Kelley - Newsweek.com

This is a cool article about what people believe about feminism.

Feminism, Progressive Values, and Glenn Beck - Raina Kelley - Newsweek.com

http://community.feministing.com/2010/03/utah-dont-turn-pregnant-women.html

This is a follow up to a comment a student made in class about the Utah legislature passing a law that could make miscarriage illegal.

http://community.feministing.com/2010/03/utah-dont-turn-pregnant-women.html

Required for 3/8: laudry list

In Louis Erdrich's poem "Advise to myself" the lyrical voice makes a list of things she doesn't want herself to worry about. Re-read the poem. What does she say IS important (may show up on the exam)?

My laundry list of things that I advise myself not to worry about is:
finding kids' socks
trying to keep people with wet shoes from walking in the house with them on
making sure my kids eat 5 to 7 servings of veggies a day (won't happen)
trying to get my daughter to wear her hair in a way I like

What is important: enjoy life--what else am I here for?

What's your laundry list? (Be specific, as is Erdrich, and focus on little things that are not worth worrying about). Write one sentence about what IS important.

http://www.feministing.com/archives/020164.html

http://www.feministing.com/archives/020164.html

Required for 3/1: The 7th Annual Great Performers in Film - Oscars - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

(Remember to sign your full name:))

Watch this slide show of some of 2009's most skilled and talented male and female actors:
The 7th Annual Great Performers in Film - Oscars - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

Before you comment read the following question very carefully and direct your comment in a specific way to this question:
What is the difference between the way the New York Times magazine depicts women and men in the photos? Be specific with your descriptions, and you need not refer to all 60 slides, just the "great performers" set.

Once you've answered this questions, you may add other comments.

Violence against women is a-okay, says adolescents in UK study

Violence against women is a-okay, says adolescents in UK study

Required for 2/22 before class: A Feminist Valentine. Sign full name.

A Feminist Valentine

Comment on this blog post linked above. You may chose to analyze the video.

Sarah Schenck: Feminist Filmmaker, Director, iSlippery Slope/i

Sarah Schenck: Feminist Filmmaker, Director, iSlippery Slope/i

The Feministing Five: Emily Abt

The Feministing Five: Emily Abt

Quick Hit: (Women) Writers

Quick Hit: (Women) Writers

Read the above link for an explanation of why we need such classes as Women and Creativity.

Required for 2/15 before class: Is live theater still relevant? (Sign last, as well as first name.)

Today we rarely see live plays--we watch DVDs, TV, and movies online, but we don't see live theater very often. Is live theater still relevant? Watch and listen to this audio slide show before you answer.

Required for 2/8: Hear it from Aya

Last week we read Aya de Leon's "If Women Ran Hip Hop." We discussed it as a "dream" with some "essentialist" elements.
Watch her perform this piece.

How do we experience this piece differently when we watch her perform it than when we read it? Pay particular attention to the introduction she gives to the piece. What's her overall point?

What's your favorite feminist song?

Here are some of feminist author and blogger Jessica Valenti's favorite feminist songs:
http://www.feministing.com/archives/012247.html

Are you familiar with any of them? What do you think of them? What's your favorite feminist song?

Nikki D: women have a history in Hip Hop

Nikki D speaks up for herself and other women in Hip Hop's history. You'll also find a link to her video "Daddy's Little Girl," which is very good.

Required for 2/1: The V Generation

Read this short interview with Eve Ensler.

What do you think about Eve Ensler's answers to the interview questions? Just from having read the interview, what can you say about the kind of person Ensler is? What do you think about her idea of using dance to help women deal with rape?

You don't have to answer all of those questions, or any of them really, but you do have to provide a meaningful reaction to the linked interview.

Thank You Thursdays: Lady Gaga

Thank You Thursdays: Lady Gaga This link contains more controversy over whether Gaga can be considered feminist.

Kathryn Bigelow

She's simply a great filmmaker.

Standard for writing still male-set

Publisher's weekly omitted women from their top 10 book list, demonstrating that the traditional preference among critics for male creative writing continues to plague the media. Fortunately, other sources recognize women's creative writing.

Comment required for 1/25

Is Lady Gaga a feminist? Read this. In what way is Lady Gaga a feminist? Is it really possible for a pop singer to be successful and be a feminist?

Speech Debelle

Watch this video and read the lyrics below the video. Have you heard of Debelle? What is this song about? Is rap a good form for her lyrics?

Awards season

What do you think about Courtney's suggestions for a more woman-friendly Academy Awards?

Women who direct films

Does having a vagina make you a female director? Read this article about Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow and weigh in.