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ハーツハイム ブライアン ヒカリ
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Media studies is a relatively new academic field that lies somewhere between the text-based approaches of literary and film studies and the more quantitative methods of communication studies. Introduction to Media Studies applies these twin angles to the case study of one of the oldest and biggest commercial media institutions in the world: The Disney Company. In the first half of the course, we examine a variety of Disney texts – from cartoon shorts to feature films to television shows – that portray different myths, values, and representations of class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion in American society. In the second half of the course, we examine Disney as political economy: a publicly-owned corporation, a manufacturer of commodities, a network of cultural producers and consumers, and a platform of digitally-distributed content that sustains the Disney brand and lore. By the end of the course, we will read and understand Disney as both a media text and system, simultaneously producing and produced by various sociocultural forces. |
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―I discovered that the media is a treasure trove of topics worth studying―
Before enrolling in Professor Hartzheim’s Introduction to Media course, I had underestimated the value of media studies as an academic field. However, through this course, I discovered that the media is a treasure trove of topics worth studying. This became even more evident because we examined Disney, one of the most influential media conglomerates today. Unlike many lecture courses which consist of the professor writing out the concepts and their definition on the whiteboard and simply having students memorize them, this course allows students to learn the basic concepts of media studies by applying them to Disney. It takes a holistic approach, examining a wide range of subtopics such as its history, animation style, labor, ideology, political economy, and new media. By using Disney as a case study, we were able to gain a better understanding of the ways in which media shapes our worldview. While many of us grew up with Disney and have fond memories, this course required us to defamiliarize ourselves with the company and examine both the positive and negative aspects from an objective point of view.
One particular lecture that resonated with me was the discussion on Disney’s racial and gender portrayals. Being a large media brand, Disney can largely impact our perceptions of many things, some of which include race, gender, sexuality, and religion. By comparing and contrasting the portrayals of race and gender of old and new Disney media, I learned that although portrayals have improved, there is still room for further improvement. For example, we discussed how Ariel in The Little Mermaid lacks agency, and her mobility is dictated by the men in her life. In contrast, Ana and Elsa in Frozen are depicted as independent women who dictate their own lives. However, the film still has shortcomings such as the lack of supporting female characters. I learned that it is important to be critical of these portrayals, as they can perpetuate real-life harmful stereotypes. While it is evident that Disney does not do a perfect job in its portrayal of race and gender, I also learned to recognize that it is an interactive process between the consumers and producers. Therefore, there are hopes for improved depictions in the future, but it is essential for consumers to engage closely with the media content Disney produces to make it happen.
Along with the weekly lectures, we had to write bi-weekly writing prompts that required us to apply the concepts we learned in class to other forms of Disney media. These prompts helped me further enhance and solidify my understanding of the course material. They encouraged me to analyze how concepts were depicted in other Disney media, leading me to explore the portrayal of Asian-Americans in the Disney Channel show The Suite Life of Zack and Cody through the character of London Tipton. In my paper, I discussed that her character could be interpreted as both a positive and negative representation of Asian-Americans.
Overall, this course provided an insightful introduction to the world of media studies. As a result, by the end of the semester, I was able to understand the complex nature of media and its effects on society. I believe I became better equipped to be critical of the media I consume daily, which is an essential skill in navigating today’s society. Whether you are a Disney fanatic or an indifferent consumer, Introduction to Media Studies has something of value for everyone.
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This article is written by…
遠藤 詩苑
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※この記事は2023年3月時点のものです。
※この科目は毎学期開講されない場合があります。
