2008 Woodie Awards
Sex, love, romance in media
By: Maggie Carlson
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: Culture
- Page 1 of 1
Webster adjunct instructor Ann Bader wants students to be more aware of the fairy tale-like messages regarding sex, love and romance that the media sends every day.
This fall, she will teach the course Studies in Media Literacy: Love, Sex and Romance: Romantic Ideals so students can examine these myths.
"The same romantic myths keep reappearing," Bader said. "Men should be handsome, dashing and taller than the women, because that is what we are so used to seeing. Women are most times considered angels or whores. There is also the myth that love is cosmically destined and everyone has one, and only one true love."
Bader, who recently received her master's degree in media literacy from Webster, decided more people need to be aware of these messages after she completed her thesis on this topic.
Webster students also have their own opinions on what images are harmful.
Senior Kara Price, a broadcast journalism major, said she sees these myths of love and sex appear in numerous television shows.
"One example would be 'Beverly Hills, 90210'," Price said. "It seems that all the pretty girls are the ones that are popular and that guys like. Andrea Zuckerman is very smart, but nobody's into her; they all like Kelly."
Price said other character examples are Screech from 'Saved by the Bell' and Urkel from 'Family Matters.'
"They are almost always being made fun of and no one wants them
around, even though they are smart and have good hearts," Price said.
Senior Teresa Shipley, an environmental writing major, said she finds reality shows to be one main problem regarding misconceptions of sex and love.
"Reality shows are very damaging," Shipley said. "'The Bachelor,' 'Joe Millionaire.' There are so many of them. All of them place men and women in very traditional roles and many of them almost present a harem of women for one man. They are all a reflection of the way we've been thinking, as well as a perpetuation of the stereotypes."
Bader assures there will be no gender bashing during this class, as the implications are just as serious and dangerous for both sexes.
Bader said the class should help students gain a better grasp of understanding the media.
"We are shaped by stories we hear and what we see," Bader said. "But after we see or hear them we should reflect on them. It can make the stories deeper and more pleasurable."
Because these messages have sociological and psychological impact, Bader said this class is applicable to many different majors.
The course, MEDC 3900 02, has a 24-person limit, and there are still seats left. The class meets from noon to 1:20 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This fall, she will teach the course Studies in Media Literacy: Love, Sex and Romance: Romantic Ideals so students can examine these myths.
"The same romantic myths keep reappearing," Bader said. "Men should be handsome, dashing and taller than the women, because that is what we are so used to seeing. Women are most times considered angels or whores. There is also the myth that love is cosmically destined and everyone has one, and only one true love."
Bader, who recently received her master's degree in media literacy from Webster, decided more people need to be aware of these messages after she completed her thesis on this topic.
Webster students also have their own opinions on what images are harmful.
Senior Kara Price, a broadcast journalism major, said she sees these myths of love and sex appear in numerous television shows.
"One example would be 'Beverly Hills, 90210'," Price said. "It seems that all the pretty girls are the ones that are popular and that guys like. Andrea Zuckerman is very smart, but nobody's into her; they all like Kelly."
Price said other character examples are Screech from 'Saved by the Bell' and Urkel from 'Family Matters.'
"They are almost always being made fun of and no one wants them
around, even though they are smart and have good hearts," Price said.
Senior Teresa Shipley, an environmental writing major, said she finds reality shows to be one main problem regarding misconceptions of sex and love.
"Reality shows are very damaging," Shipley said. "'The Bachelor,' 'Joe Millionaire.' There are so many of them. All of them place men and women in very traditional roles and many of them almost present a harem of women for one man. They are all a reflection of the way we've been thinking, as well as a perpetuation of the stereotypes."
Bader assures there will be no gender bashing during this class, as the implications are just as serious and dangerous for both sexes.
Bader said the class should help students gain a better grasp of understanding the media.
"We are shaped by stories we hear and what we see," Bader said. "But after we see or hear them we should reflect on them. It can make the stories deeper and more pleasurable."
Because these messages have sociological and psychological impact, Bader said this class is applicable to many different majors.
The course, MEDC 3900 02, has a 24-person limit, and there are still seats left. The class meets from noon to 1:20 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.