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SoSe 18: Postfeminism(s) in Popular Culture

Kathleen Loock Maria Sulimma

Comments

Following the capitalist co-option of identity politics and social justice concerns to boost product sales, contemporary popular culture has also begun to portray feminism as desirable and appealing in a pronounced shift from earlier representations of feminism as outdated and irrelevant. This seminar offers an introduction into feminist media studies through the lens of postfeminism. We will explore the complex and multifarious concept in a cultural studies tradition following renowned theorists such as Rosalind Gill, Angela McRobbie, Diane Negra, Yvonne Tasker, and Imelda Whelehan. ---------- In two theoretical blocks, we will first define and discuss early theoretizations of postfeminism within an intersectional framework and against the background of female-centered popular culture that initially inspired postfeminist discourses. We will then turn to contemporary popular culture and examine the strengths and limitations the concept holds for studying mediations of feminisms today. In the following block of the seminar, students will explore current manifestations and distortions of postfeminism within contemporary popular culture (e.g. post-postfeminism, celebrity feminism, marketplace feminism, or corporate feminism) and work on individual research projects of their own choosing. close

8 Class schedule

Additional appointments

Thu, 2018-05-17 18:00 - 20:00

Comments:
Rosalind Gill (City, University of London): "Postfeminism, Body Love and Selling Confidence to Women" ---------- Abstract: In this talk I will interrogate a number of features of contemporary postfeminist and neoliberal societies through an examination of the growing trend of "femvertising." Femvertising refers to a type of mainstream advertising practice that addresses women through discourses of empowerment, body love and self-esteem - examples include many campaigns for Dove, Nike and Always. Through case studies I will explore some of the complexities and contradictions of this form of address, showing how it is located in a wider cultural tendency that Shani Orgad and I have called the 'confidence cult'. I will argue that the incitements to feel good, believe in yourself and build self-esteem are part of a distinctive psychological turn in neoliberalism. The talk should be of interest to students of gender and feminist studies, media and communications, and the social sciences as well as to anyone interested in contemporary culture.

Lecturers:
Dr. Kathleen Loock
Maria Sulimma

Location:
340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Fri, 2018-07-06 10:00 - 17:00

Comments:
"Postfeminism(s) in Popular Culture": This student workshop is an occasion to test your research and enter into dialogue with your fellow students and instructors. All students will present their research projects on thematic panels followed by a discussion among the panelists which will then be opened to the rest of the audience. Presentations should not be longer than 15 minutes, including one clip used for an exemplary close reading.

Lecturers:
Dr. Kathleen Loock
Maria Sulimma

Location:
340 Hörsaal (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Regular appointments

Tue, 10:00 - 12:00 8 Class schedule

Tue, 2018-04-24 10:00 - 12:00