Civic Engagement Project – Women of Color in Media
Civic Engagement Project – Women of Color in Media (With Proposal) (125 pts)
Each student will submit a four (4) page critical thinking essay where you analyze the expectations
of women of color in the media. You may choose to analyze a specific woman of color, a fictional TV
or film character, a TV show, a movie, a song, a poem, or a music video – all of which must be within
the last two (2) years – that depicts women of color. You will analyze how the depictions of this
woman or women are similar and/or different from the expectations (stereotypes) that are placed on
women of color in the media. You will also analyze how those expectations have affected women of
color today. You may use yourself, if you identify, or a women of color when comparing expectations.
⇒ Options:
o Specific Woman of color in Media: Give a brief historical summary of the woman or
character. Where is she from? Or, what show is she on? How is she or the character
represented? What are some of the ways that she or her character perpetuate and/or
break away from the stereotypical expectations of women of color? Compare and
contrast the woman or character to what you have learned about women of color and
the issues that are affecting them today. The show she appears on must still be on TV, not
in reruns, or have ended within the last two (2) years
o Film or TV Show: Name the film/show Give a brief historical summary of the show. What
kind of film/show is it? Who is it intended for? Is it specific groups of women of color (i.e.
Asian Americans, LGBTQ identified, Educated, Socioeconomically disadvantaged, etc.)?
How is it advertised- are their national advertisements or is it group specific? (THINK
about how you found out about the film/show.) What is the message of the film/show?
Was it positive or negative? Describe some of the images that you see. Do the
representations portrayed in the film/show reflect a positive or negative image of women
of color, as you see them? Why, or why not? Does the film/show reaffirm or break away
from “typical” ideas about race, gender roles, sexuality, class, etc.? Compare and
contrast the film or TV show to what you have learned about women of color and the
**You are NOT allowed to research the following women or shows : Oprah, Any
of the Kardashians, Tyra Banks, Rihanna (music & videos okay), Beyoncé (music &
videos okay), Viola Davis, Maya Angelou, Nicki Minaj (music & videos okay), Shonda
Rhimes, Shows: Grey’s Anatomy, Orange is the New Black
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issues that are affecting them today. The film must have been released in the past two
years. The show must still be on the air, not in reruns, or have ended within the last two
years.
o A song, poem, or music video produced or performed by a woman of color: Give a brief
historical summary of the artist. Analyze the song, poem, or video. What is the message
of the text/video? Why do you think the artist chose these words/images? Can any
connections be made from the artist to her message? Does the song, poem, or video touch
on any themes from the course? Is the song, poem, or video uplifting for women of color,
demoralizing, both, or neither? Why do you think that is? In your opinion, does this song,
poem, or video represent or break away from the expectations and stereotypes for women
of color? How so or why not? Compare and contrast the song, poem, or video to what you
have learned about women of color and the issues that are affecting them today. All
songs, poems, or music videos must have been produced within the last two (2) years
⇒ Paper:
o The paper must be four (4) – pages minimum, typed, double-spaced with font (12 pt.),
proper margins (1 in.), 1.5 in spacing, numbered pages, and properly annotated with
chosen source citation format.
o You must submit your paper to the Smarthinking online Review system BEFORE
submitting for grade. (Smarthinking takes about 24- 48 hours to return your work)
o You must do research for this assignment and cite all sources within your paper