Brandeis University

    UWS 60A: Body Obsession and Representations of Bodies in Media

    Instructor: Amanda Presswood
    Prerequisites: None. UWS introduces students to the power of writing as a means of communication and a process of thinking and understanding. As students complete a series of writing assignments, they will engage in a process of reading, drafting, reviewing and revising, working in peer groups and individually with their instructors.
    Course Description: This course examines ways that media constructs and reconstructs the “ideal” body and the ways in which that ideal continues to be reconfigured. From the supermodels of the 1990s to Kim Kardashian, it is clear that society is obsessed with how bodies, especially female bodies, are represented in the media. But what is the role of social media when it comes to representations of the body? Does it allow for a greater representation of body types or is it reproducing the idealized body portrayed by mainstream media? This course explores how media constructs, shapes, and reinforces the culture of the ideal body. We will also explore the stereotypes and ideologies regarding gender, race, and class embedded in body image. The course will introduce critical approaches and theoretical foundations used to examine the representations and impacts of body images. Areas of the study may include, but not limited to, television, movies, social media, magazines, and video games.
    Session: Session II
    Day: T, W, Th
    Time: 10:00am - 12:50pm
    Credit Hours: 4 Credits
    Course Format: "Remote Learning" Course for Summer 2022
    Brandeis Graduation Requirement Fulfilled: UWS
    Enrollment Limit: 10 students
    Course Classification: Undergraduate Level Course
    Course Tuition: $3,290
    Course Fees: None
    Open to High School Students: No