The following is a potential proposal for a Written Task. I say 'potential', because it doesn't fit the exact structure of the Written Tasks we have done in terms of using primary and secondary sources (I don't have any main ones). I'm open to suggestions about how to approach this idea differently. :)
This Written Task is centered on Part 2, Adverinfotainment, of the course. It is a pair of blog entries titled 'Why Rihanna Has Destroyed Feminism' and 'Why Rihanna Is My Feminist Icon'. It aims to fulfill the third learning outcome, and explore how mass media (in this case, the blogs) have used language to persuade people of their startlingly different conclusions.
This idea is still in its infant stages - the format itself is something that I have not fully decided on, as it would also work as a magazine article. I chose this topic because we studied the objectification of women in media in this unit, and our current work on Alice Munro also gave some background on Feminism that can be used (especially for the negative article). I selected Rihanna as the subject due to her widespread fame - many who don't even listen to popular music know about her (such as my mom) - and her influence has expanded far beyond just being a singer.
To support my claims on either side, I will be looking at the way she portrays herself (quotes etc.), her music videos, personal events, and publicity stunts. While there will be different examples used to support each side, I will include 1-2 examples that are the same for both Rihanna being anti-Feminist and Feminist to allow the audience to better recognize the bias and manipulation present in the media. One such example would be her Pour It Up video, which received both criticism and praise. Her newer B*tch Better Have My Money video was also deemed both feminist and un-feminist by critics.
In all, I hope that with these two parallel blogs/articles, the audience will be able to see through the way the media manipulates us using language and literary devices. Usage of the same literary devices in the opposite way would further strengthen the contrast.
Note: This isn't the best timing for a Written Task, given that the IOC is only 13 days away. However, I posted about it now so that I wouldn't forget about it, and to encourage more development of the idea.
Note: This isn't the best timing for a Written Task, given that the IOC is only 13 days away. However, I posted about it now so that I wouldn't forget about it, and to encourage more development of the idea.
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