I am in my second year at University (contemporary fine art degree) and currently researching for my essay proposal. I have been researching so much that I've lost the plot. Underneath are a some of the research areas, so if anybody could help with a title and argument for my essay to help me condense my research I can maybe sleep at night ! Has anybody done an essay on similiar subject matter? Or can anybody recommend a free website with example essays and dissertations?
(RESEACH: Current representations of women within media - Artificial standard of beauty imposed - Innate female desire to be the 'ideal beauty' - Images of women that seem to have grown increasingly powerless, passive, sexualised and thinner as they gain greater power in society - Appearance and Power - Appearance discrimination - Feminist theory Re: The Ideal Beauty )
Can anybody help?
2007-03-03 05:33:02 · 5 answers · asked by kay d 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Other - Visual Arts
I did an essay (where I had to invent my own question) on power struggle and gender within the tv sitcom Bewitched for my 'Representations of Gender in TV and Film' course for my Film and Media studies degree, so I DO have some idea of what you're talking about! It asserted that in a 1960s still largely patriarchal US society, masculine men had control (of the domestic and professional front) and women could only take control by using magic, but because Samantha always agreed not to use magic she was effectively reinforcing the patriarchal society and helping to maintain the status quo rather than use the magic ability she had to make things easier for herself. In it I backed up my arguments using Laura Mulvey, and other feminist theorists, as well as delving into Freudian psychobabble stuff! And I got a 1st for my essay!
The easiest thing (in this minefield - as you've clearly discovered - of academic research resources) is to pick one particular academic's theory, then debate it, drawing in other theories as the basis for your argument (just as an academic would in a research paper). Then make your question about an angle you want to take.
For example: "[I can't remember the theorist, sorry!]...argues that femininity is a masquerade. Do you agree this statement is true within current representations of women within media?" (Clue here - firstly define which media you're going to be limiting your work to)
You could decide that you have 4 examples where this could be backed up, but 3 where it doesn't. So your conclusion does not have to be absolute, but can concur in parts. In fact, as long as your conclusion does not introduce any conclusions which are not drawn out of your essay, it's a more sensible approach to say on the one hand...on the other, however... but overall I would have to agree with...
Or "Compare and contrast the representations of women in popular mens' magazines and popular womens' magazines."
Stay away from websites and example essays - you're much better bringing a fresh approach.
My advice also is to pick the theory you are most comfortable with - that way you don't have to try and get your head round someone else's arguments as well as your own!
2007-03-03 05:51:35 · answer #1 · answered by hevs 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How about "It's Hard to Be Beautiful: Growing up in a Media-Dominated Culture" for a title?
2007-03-03 13:41:36 · answer #2 · answered by penpallermel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a great essay.
Picture Perfect for Power
2007-03-03 13:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from the male point of view your essay is a minefield.so i can only suggest one title which i hope you will not feel is flippant and that is GILDING THE LILY
Best of luck
vgm
2007-03-03 13:58:23 · answer #4 · answered by vernonmidas 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Beauty or The Beast?"
2007-03-04 00:48:58 · answer #5 · answered by concernedjean 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋