Georgia - Media Coursework : A2

Title-
How does Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears represent females within the media?

Proposal-
For my coursework, I am going to research and present the ways in which women within the media are represented, specifically looking at two very famous women, Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears.

Why I am doing this research-
I am undertaking this research because both women are very popular and have a huge fan base but I am interested in their differences between one another, as well as their similarities.

Where my material will come from-
I am going to look at several different resource material in order to complete my investigation. Such as, books, music videos from the artists, posters, interviews from the stars and newspaper/magazine articles based on them.

1st Resource Material- Book (for bibliography)

O’Sullivan, T., Dutton, B. & Rayner, P., (1994). Studying the Media, an introduction. Edward Arnold: London

- "The concept of representation embodies the theme that the media constructs meanings about the world, and in doing so, help audiences to make sense of it. For representation to be meaningful to audiences, there needs to be a shared recognition of people situations, ideas, etc"

(Footnote - Tim O'Sullivan, Brian Dutton & Philip Raynor - 1994 - Page 113)

-"The objectification of women's bodies in the media has been a consistent theme in analyses of women's representation. Laura Mulvey (1975) argues that the dominant point of view within cinema is masculine, especially where a women is concerned.The female body is displayed for the male gaze in order to provide erotic pleasure (voyeurism), and ultimately a sense of control over her"

(Footnote - Tim O'Sullivan, Brian Dutton & Philip Raynor - 1994 - Page 134)

-"Women's magazines could be seen as providing step-by-step instructions into how to achieve womanhood, with two main roles being central to that status: 'wife' and 'mother'.

-"Marjorie Ferguson (1983), surveying changes in women magazines in post-war Britain, identifies two main changes. First, there has been a shift from 'getting and keeping your man' to 'self-help'. This involves 'achieving perfection' (being a better mother, lover, worker, cook and staying slim) and 'overcoming misfortune' (such as physical or emotion crises). Second, the role of paid worker or 'independent woman' has emerged from the mid 1970s in magazines like Cosmopolitan."

(Footnote - Tim O'Sullivan, Brian Dutton & Philip Raynor - 1994 - Page 138)

Second Resource Material - Music Video's

1. Beyonce Knowles - Dance For You (Released 2011)
For bibliography: Beyonce Knowles. (2011). Dance For You. [Online Video] November 27th. Available from : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGc9n6BiWXA.

2. Britney Spears - Toxic (Released January 13th 2004)
For bibliography: Britney Spears. (2004). Toxic. [Online Video] October 24th 2009. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZuxwVk7TU

Third Resource Material - Album Covers

Album Covers