Monday, January 31, 2011

Who do I think I am?


I’m a 32 year old man who doesn’t not a drink, doesn’t do drugs, doesn’t steal, doesn’t kill, and I live with my dad. A year ago I was caregiver to my friend in the last three years of his life, I knew him for thirteen years. I walked away from college, because I was doing the right thing by caring for him. I don’t regret this because that is what you do when have a good friend who believes in you and knows that you can’t fail. It’s what you do when you don’t want to watch their life disappear in disabled home. It was during that time he taught me some things which make me who I am today. He taught me to do everything from your heart and always have good intentions behind it, even if others think that it’s strange or unheard of. He taught me that you have to have faith in your abilities, and the rest comes with ease. The last of the many things he taught me was always to be self-sufficient, or else you never get where you need to be. He passed in 2009, I was lost and confused, but I never forgot what he taught me.

I’m a person who lives in the moment, and is not afraid to say what is needed to be said. I like to read comic books so understand the simplicity and complexity of good and evil, and even in comics there is a grey area. I try to have sense of humor, because laughing is better that crying. I’m a man who is human being, not just a guy, because sometimes it’s good to be humane. I believe in risking life and limb to protect your friends and family, and knowing that they always have your back. I also think that you have to look out for number one too, when it comes to survival in a fucked up world. I believe traditions are important to me, but not to the extent that it hurts people or dehumanizes them. I like playing xbox360 just to disconnect, because everybody has a disconnection. I’m a person that believes that life is one huge playground, but you have to understand that you have to have fun. Yes, I don’t take life so seriously, because I use my heart and mind together and not separately. If I wore my heart on my sleeve someone can easily bump hard into someone and crush my heart, and then I’m dead. I’ll be too analytical if I use my mind too much, and I will be thinking too much and not doing. I am a person who is mysterious, so people don’t see who saves, cares, or tries to make a difference in people’s lives. They only need to know that they are not alone, and there are people just like me.

I’m constant student always learning something new, and even in the business of media there always something to learn. I am editor, even though I did very little of it, my eyes are my camera always recording the footage that surrounds me. I always observe, comprehend, and interpret the world around me, and that makes me a better editor and a better person. My life is a constant adventure and new experience. I love adventure, the adventure makes me who I am, it molds me, changes me, like the stripping the excess clay off of a sculpture. I am a man who is following my dream, fighting for what is important to me, and knowing that there is always room for improvement. My name is Brian Tayco and this is who I think I am.

Who are you?

Hey, the name is Angelica May. I am 19 years old, a student, daughter, Irish twin (my sister and I have the same birthday), friend, thinker, artist, singer, and all around thinker. Just a heads up, I really suck at writing things about myself, but I will do my best on this blog. All my life I have been a go-getter, and worked real well when I had a goal in mind. Once I got into Hunter, I took a media class and loved it! I would love to create advertisements, which actually stood for something meaningful, or helped someone.
Out of school I take care of my grandmother, and manage small things around my house. I love my friends and family with all my heart. At the moment a few of my friends and I are trying to come up with our own company. We would love to one day own our own tee-shirt company. In high school I took art for a few years, and actually painted a few works pertaining to the emotional abuse which women face.
I have always seen myself as motivated, so it is innate for me to revert back to what i would like to do in life. I could write that I LOVE red wine, or that I am on a gluten free diet, but this feels much more natural. My thoughts are sporadic, so I often have to regroup my ideas when I write, but you asked for me, and this is me. I would really like to be the next individual to create something like dove's campaign for real beauty.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Who do you think you are?



When I was younger, I thought this was an easy question, I was me. Smart, fun, creative, energetic, inquisitive and full of curiosity. I loved life, and it loved me. I am a first generation Puerto Rican and grew up in the melting pot that is NYC. The eldest of three kids, I come from a very close family. My mom was a single parent for most of my life but between her and my grandmother, I never lacked for anything. I skipped a grade in H.S. and entered college at the age of 16. I thought I knew what the world was about and if someone asked me who I thought I was, the answer would have simply been Stephanie.

As it is known to do, life moved on. I married, had 2 children, divorced and became a marketing and promotions executive for a large entertainment company. During this time, the answer to the question began to cloud. Stephanie was no longer the right answer. One to throw myself wholeheartedly in all I do, the answer morphed from Stephanie, to a Mother, then to a Provider, and even further to a very successful Executive. I traveled the world and began to see more than what was in my unique bubble. I was proud of the title executive and delighted to say that is who I was. Could someone be more than one thing? I didn’t think so at the time.

Then the economy took hold and I was no longer the Executive. I fought so hard to be a successful female in a male dominated profession that when it was gone I was lost. As time passed however, I realized I was not my job. What changed was my profession, not me. I had time to spend with my children. I got married again and took time to figure out who I had become. Today, when I am asked this question, I realize I am many things at once - a Mother, Student, Wife, Cook, and Business Woman. I am creative, fun and still full of curiosity. Most of all, I haven’t lost my love of life. I love all the different parts I’ve become and look forward to the parts I have yet to meet.

MIDTERM MEETINGS SCHEDULE

Monday April 4th
12:00 Ioanna
12:15
12:30 Angelica
12:45 Caroline
1:00 Girard
1:15 Melissa
1:30 Hubert
1:45
2:00 Jaclyn
2:25 Katherine
2:30
2:45
3:00 Devon

Stephanie between M180classes

Wednesday April 6th
12:00 Nathalie
12:15 Sheila
12:30 Sangay
12:45
1:00 Anna
1:15 Meagan
1:30 Candice
1:45 Perry
2:00 Brian
2:25 Yan Hua
2:30 Shalana
2:45
3:00


Jay - Saturday 4/9 after class.
Rachel
April

Screenings

4/ 16
Queer in the City - Youth made video for the Global Action Project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5doVROseluw

Feminist Frequency http://www.feministfrequency.com/
kanye misogyny: http://www.feministfrequency.com/page/2/

oscars: http://www.feministfrequency.com/2011/02/womens-stories-movies-and-the-oscars/

super hero: http://www.feministfrequency.com/2011/04/zach-snyders-sucker-punch-is-a-steaming-pile-of-sexist-crap/

A stranger in her city: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAkPFZQA6EM

Boy I am - Sam Feder
http://www.samfeder.com/html/past.html
Catherine Gund
http://www.whatsonyourplateproject.org/

Shirin Neshat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYZKYgbjNU

WAM - Women, Action and the Media
http://www.centerfornewwords.org/wam/

4/9
Coming out - Youth made Reel Grrls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prGBfYXe9x8&feature=player_embedded

Kiri Davis - A Girl Like Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyI77Yh1Gg

Byron Hurt-Beyond Beats and Rhymes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyI77Yh1Gg
independent lens w/byron hurt- part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8YpcN7oKIM&feature=related
Barack and Curtis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5YoS3bqk5g&feature=related

" No Homo"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84wHXT2KgWY

Jay Smooth - Ill Doctrine
http://www.illdoctrine.com/
Lesson to Chris Brown http://www.illdoctrine.com/2011/03/a_history_lesson_for_chris_bro.html
A beginners Guide to "no homo"
http://www.illdoctrine.com/2008/08/a_beginners_guide_to_no_homo.html
all videos on the vlog and can also be found on youtube.....

Queer in the City - Youth made video for the Global Action Project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5doVROseluw

4/2

Reel Girls Media Consolidation
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=reelgrrls#play/uploads/27/VZ01mj0IdTQ

http://www.monaeltahawy.com/
Mona at J Street 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U0QRR3ELxw&feature=related

Citizen Journalism - For Neda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48SinuEHIk

A Stranger in Her Own City http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAkPFZQA6EM

3/26
Katie Couric http://www.youtube.com/user/KatieCouric

3/19
34 x 25 x 36 mannequins pbs http://video.pbs.org/video/1218733804#
Dying to be thin - PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/thin/program.html
Kilbourne on Thinness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7143sc_HbU&feature=related

3/5
genderads.com
persuaders - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/
Dove Advertisements http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/
http://www.dove.pt/pt_pt/pt_pt/index.html

Sex Sells awareness http://bitchmagazine.org/post/sex-sellsawareness
Love your body ads: http://loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org/offensiveads.html

2/26
Jean Kilbourne
KUS4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTlmho_RovY
KUS3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSTg_6N0G7w&feature=related

reelgirls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXLu1p15Rvw&feature=related

merchants of cool
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/

misogyny media and culture
http://www.mediaed.org/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=234

clorox
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZeQUxSjHwU

2/19 Screenings:
bell hooks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQUuHFKP-9s&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3CBUm7GrNI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEQh-Zpb4XU&feature=related

john berger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u72AIab-Gdc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHsV7ljusCs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1yvciNEuAs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNZNB-SfC7w WAYS OF SEEING (episode two - female nude) 4/4

Vertigo madeline's jump http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCYbo3bRCIM


Saturday, January 29, 2011

Welcome to Women and the Media!

Hello all,

I look forward to spending the next semester engaged in great discussions, impressed with your projects and getting to know all of you. Welcome!

Prof. Cacoilo

Syllabus

Women and Media Spring 2011
MEDIA384.00 Sec:001
Saturdays 2:10 – 5:00pm
Department of Film and Media - Hunter College
Professor Doris Caçoilo :: dcacoilo @ hunter.cuny.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course students will be introduced to key issues and theoretical approaches in the study of women and media. The course will explore representations of women in media as well as researching the work of women in the industry. Students will research and analyze how the media creates and challenges stereotypes, ideas of difference including exclusionary representations of minorities and women. Readings, class discussions and projects will explore how media shapes our attitudes and identities. Long a focus and a concern in feminist scholarship, critique of the media is crucial in the discussion of the representation of women in the media. The course will use a historic context of feminist media studies to interpret and analyze contemporary media examples. Students will read across various fields to interpret and critique images in various media: television, advertising, film and new media to explore women’s role and perception, women as audience and especially the importance of women as media makers.

COURSE OVERVIEW and EXPECTATIONS
This class is intended to help students develop the ability to create thoughtful and engaging projects and writing assignments. In addition to a rigorous reading schedule students are required to write various projects for the class blog and sustain continued research and writing throughout the course in addition to the scheduled projects.

Feedback from your classmates is a valuable resource for the improvement of your writing and your work. Critiques allow us to share our projects with others and express our intentions. The idea is to be able to understand the concept behind each work and to analyze the method of every student to determine whether they achieved their goals. Feedback from others gives us valuable information in order to keep making progress. For this reason, class participation is essential.

Class sessions will be divided into presentations, class discussion of the readings, and group critiques of projects. Presentations will address both theoretical and analytical issues related to women and media. Some class time will be dedicated to work on individual projects but it is the student’s responsibility to finish his/her work and present it on time. Students are responsible to be prepared for class, read all assignments on time and post all writing and projects to the blog, paying attention to technical and aesthetic presentation as well as thoughtful and well-developed content.

READINGS: Various weekly reading assignments will be linked, posted for download or passed out in print in class. The reading schedule will be distributed in class. Readings are due each week.

BLOG: You must consult the class blog daily to check for announcements, readings and to post your assignments. The blog is crucial to the course and your completion of the requirements. You MUST have access to the blog to complete assignments, get readings, post work and comment on students’ posts.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THE COURSE:
Five writing assignments published to the blog as well as a class presentation and a final project will be developed during the semester. You must complete these in a professional manner and ON TIME. No late work will be accepted for a full grade evaluation. The assignments will be related to the issues discussed in class, allowing students to explore new technologies by researching and responding to various class discussions and readings. It is suggested to keep a process notebook to record ideas and phases of a project: research, brainstorming, development of the idea etc.

Critiques are important both for developing your own projects and in helping to form important skills in communication and in forming developed opinions and ideas. Participation in critiques and in class discussions will be very important in forming your grade.

--Attendance and grading policy:
Attendance is required. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class, and will be considered when determining the final course grade.

More than three (3) absences will result in an 'F' (failure) for the class. No exceptions. This is standard policy across digital media courses. Class begins on time, so you must be punctual. Lateness, leaving early or leaving class unexcused for an extended period of time will also be recorded. Two of these instances will count as one absence.
You are required to make up any and all work that is missed if you are absent. Notify the professor if you will be absent or e-mail asap. As work will not be accepted late, please contact the professor to hand in work on time!

--Grade policy:
All assignments must be finished and handed in on time to receive a passing grade for this course.

--Evaluation:
30% 5 blog posts
10% 1 presentation
40% final project
20% participation (Contributions to class, critiques and the blog + attendance + delicious links)

NOTE: BACK-UP your work frequently, even as you are working on the projects. Write and edit your posts locally before uploading them to the web. No excuses!

* If you have a disability which will affect your coursework, please notify the instructor within the first two weeks of class to ensure suitable arrangements and a comfortable working environment.
Contact The Office for Students with Disabilities, Hunter East 1119 Phone (212) 772-4882 or 4891, TTY: (212) 650-3230.

* This is a list of numbers which you can use if there is an emergency or crisis situation on the Hunter campus or if you need assistance at other times.
Security -B125 West - 772 - 4444; During business hours: Medical Office - Room 307 North - 772 - 4800; Office of Student Services - 1119 East - 772 - 4882 4891 (crisis counseling available), The Women's Center - 801 East - 772 - 4931.

Hunter's Reading/Writing center is where students receive tutoring in reading and writing skills, critical reading, and the writing process. Students can apply for a weekly appointment with a tutor and/or use drop-in services during scheduled hours. Students may also attend workshops offered at the Center throughout the academic year. http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/

Statement on Originality of the Work
All work completed for this course must be completed by the student enrolled in the course. All work for this course must be made in this course and not fulfilling the requirements of another prior or current course unless pre-approved by the instructor. Plagiarism is a very serious academic offense which will result in penalties ranging from reduction of class grade to failure in the course. Plagiarism occurs when the ideas, images, and words, published or unpublished, of others are presented as one's own without citing the original source. Plagiarism also occurs when the papers, research, or creative works of another person are presented as one's own work.

+ + +
All students need to be on the listserv FM-L to receive important departmental notices. Just email listserv@hunter.listserv.cuny.edu and leaving the subject line blank, write SUBSCRIBE fm-l (that's an "L" not a 1) in the body of message and you're set!

SCHEDULE
******PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND I WILL INFORM YOU OF SPECIFICS AND CHANGES PERTAINING TO THIS SCHEDULE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you ever have questions or concerns about the schedule, due dates, changes or anything else please e-mail me at dcacoilo @ hunter.cuny.edu
Class meetings are also subject to surprise critique sessions. Students should always be prepared to present work in progress on any class meeting day whether or not it is announced on this schedule.

Students are required to read the appropriate readings for each class, complete all assignments on time and post 2 links to delicious each week.

Week 1: Saturday 1/29 Introduction and discussion.

Week 2: Saturday 2/5 What is Culture? What is Media? Discussion session. Bring in media example for discussion. Post 1 Due

Week 3: **Saturday 2/12 President’s Day Weekend—NO CLASS

Week 4: Saturday 2/19 Ways of viewing--the gaze Discussion and work session. Readings Due.

Week 5: Saturday 2/26 Women as Audience Soap Operas to Advertising. Discussion and work session. Readings Due. Post 2 Due – Group Critique

Week 6: Saturday 3/5 Gender and Advertising Discussion and work session. Readings Due.

Week 7: **Saturday 3/12 NO CLASS

Week 8: Saturday 3/19 Body Image Discussion and work session. Readings Due. Post 3 Due – Group Critique. Final project topics due.

Week 9: Saturday 3/26 News Media Discussion and work session. Readings Due.

Week 10: Saturday 4/2 News Media and Ownership Discussion and work session. Readings Due. Final project proposals due.

Week 11: Saturday 4/9 Alternative Media -- response, identity and roles. Discussion and work session. Readings Due. Post 4 Due – Group Critique

Week 12: Saturday 4/16 Women and Movies Discussion and work session. Readings Due. (Draft) Bibliography due.

Week 13: **Saturday 4/23 Spring Break - NO CLASS

Week 14: Saturday 4/30 Independent, Documentary Film, Media Activism Discussion and work session. Post 5 Due – Group Critique

Week 15: Saturday 5/7 Art/New Media Discussion and work session. Readings Due. Final projects: critique of works in progress.


FINAL
Week 16: Saturday 5/14 Presentation of Final Projects + papers due. – Group Critique
Week 17: Saturday 5/21 Presentation of Final Projects + papers due. – Group Critique

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:
*Weekly presentations:
Present the work of a media artist, activist or leader who has used media to further address women’s issues, the lives of women and/or global awareness of women’s rights. A small group of students will present each week. Presentations should be organized, clear and engaging and should include a visual component in addition to a well prepared verbal presentation. These should be 7-10 minutes. The topics should be relevant to the classwork and should spur discussion within the classroom. Presentations must be posted to the blog. Every student will present once throughout the semester.

*Posts 1-5.
Students must develop well written and researched responses to readings and discussions in class. Each post will be specific to the topics covered in class at that time and will be explained during class. Students are responsible to write and edit these posts as well as illustrate them and successfully post them to the blog for discussion and critique in class.

*Shared links on Delicious
Students are required to bookmark 2 links per week and tag them with the class tag MEDP384. These links will be shared with the class as well as create a resource list for the class. Links must be relevant and add to the readings, projects and discussions in the class.

*Final Project
Based on the discussions and projects presented in class and on the blog please create a short piece of media which focuses on a social issue and reframe the issue to specifically address how this affects the lives of women and/or how women can be instrumental in solving or raising awareness about this issue. Choose one of the following formats for your project.

1. Essay with embedded images.
2. Video- music, documentary, performance
3. Researched article or extensive slideshow with captions or narration (think NYTimes)
4. Magazine/Zine
5. Interactive Web Project/Site

The length and requirements for each project will be explained in depth to each student when the project is introduced and discussed in class. The project will be completed in parts:

1. Proposal (1-2 pages) [Due Saturday 3/26]
2. Draft Bibliography [Saturday 4/16]
3. Critique of work in progress [Saturday 5/7]
4. Presentation of final project [Saturday 5/14 or Saturday 5/21]