The Sociology of Reality TV: Race, Colorism, and Xenophobia
SOC 285
Fall 2024
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AFAM 284, CSPL 285 |
The course will explore the ways in which reality television can help us reflect on how different social identifiers such as race, skin complexion, and ethnicity operate within American culture. For many, reality TV can be easily dismissed as a guilty pleasure, escapism, or "trashy" (e.g., Dehnart, n.d.). While reality television can be labeled as an innocuous pastime, its importance and impact in American culture cannot be overlooked or denied. Moreover, the way this form of entertainment reflects American behaviors and shapes or reaffirms thinking within our society around sociological descriptors like race and culture should be studied. Through a critical lens, we will delve into the ways this genre of television portrays women of color, the audiences who watch reality TV, and whether responsibility exists on the networks who help create these shows. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS SOC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Less than 50% |
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