Instructor: Erin Meyers
Course Time: MWF 2:40-3:47
Location: TBA
General Education: Art, U.S.Diversity & Writing Intensive
Term: Fall 2013
DESCRIPTION:
Course Description: In this course we will examine foundational works in film and cultural theory that address the history, function and significance of stardom and celebrity to American culture. Using foundational texts in star studies, we will discuss theoretical approaches to particular aspects of film and media stardom as well as case studies of historical and contemporary stars, including, but not limited to, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Britney Spears and Kim Kardashian in order to address the changing dimensions of stardom and celebrity across history and media forms. We will examine how the rise of new digital media forms, such as reality television and the Internet, have changed our conceptions of and engagements with celebrity. Particular attention will be paid to the connection between celebrity culture and cultural ideologies throughout the course. How is stardom a gendered phenomenon and how do stars embody and trouble prevailing social and cultural ideologies?
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Required Texts:
- Dyer, Richard (1986). Heavenly bodies: Film stars and society. London: BFI Macmillan.
- Gamson, Joshua (1994). Claims to fame: Celebrity in contemporary America. Berkeley: University of California Press.
- Sternheimer, Karen (2011). Celebrity culture and the American Dream: Stardom and social mobility. New York: Routledge.
- Turner, Graeme (2004). Understanding celebrity. London; Thousand Oaks: Sage.
In addition to the required texts, other required readings, including theoretical articles and popular press articles, will be available on our course website via Moodle.