We would like you to write a 3000 word essay (+/-10% word limit), using course materials as well as external academic (books, journal articles) and media sources, to support your argument in relation to any of the following questions:
*One of the central things we are looking for is a well-defined argument using the ideas, concepts, and theories we have covered. Your essay should aim to convince the reader of your position.
1. Does popular music representation serve to uphold or disrupt cultural stereotypes of race? Use specific case studies in your response.
2. Using at least one case study, critically analyse how social media might offer a potential space for subaltern racial counter publics.
3. Choose and critically examine a case study similar to those discussed in the social construction/making of race lecture (remember we discussed the Bhagat Singh Thind, Brazil, and Irish cases) using a theoretical framework discussed in class (e.g. critical race theory, Racecraft, social constructionism,
etc.).
4. Focusing on a media platform of your choice (film, TV, graphic novels, music, etc.), analyse the work of a BAME creative that you believe has subverted the medium in a way that highlights their own cultural experience.
5. To what extent is Brexit about ‘race’? Discuss with reference to examples from media, politics and/or popular culture.
6. Drawing on a case study of your own choice, explore the construction of a
migrant or minority group in print, broadcast or digital media.
7. How useful is the concept of Islamophobia or antisemitism (choose one) for
the analysis of contemporary racism? Discuss with reference to examples
from media, politics and/or popular culture.
8. How might we use theories of intersectionality to reframe the way we
approach different media and cultural texts? Discuss in relation to at least
two examples.
9. Critically discuss the role that whiteness plays in contemporary social and
cultural life in the UK, with a particular emphasis on ideas of representation,
racialisation and power.
10. ‘The masters tools will never dismantle the master’s house’ — do you agree?
How successful do you think campaigns such as Why is My Curriculum White,
Rhodes Must Fall, or #oscarssowhite are in overturning institutional racism?
Discuss in relation to your own examples.
11. Write an essay examining the relationship between food, race, and power,
using a particular foodway or food trend as a case study (e.g. soul food,
fusion, ‘Ind
