SOC365: (Popular Culture) Applying your understanding of concepts learnt from the course, discuss whether or not Barbie could be considered a ‘feminist’ movie.
Module / Subject / School:
SOC365: Popular Culture
Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Requirements:
Question (100 marks)
(a) Although many movie reviewers and cinemagoers have associated Barbie with its feminist themes, Robbie Brenner, the executive producer of Mattel Films, the company behind Barbie, was hesitant to call it a ‘feminist movie’. Applying your understanding of concepts learnt from the course, discuss whether or not Barbie could be considered a ‘feminist’ movie.
(60 marks)
(b) How do movies like Barbie inspire consumerist trends? Using relevant concepts learnt from the course, explain why such trends can be problematic to consumers and society.
(40 marks)
What we score:
78%
Our Writer’s Comment
This assignment is designed to assess students’ understanding of business practices.
To secure an A+ grade, adhere to these guidelines and make sure your work aligns with the grading criteria:
Part (a): Is Barbie a Feminist Movie? (60 marks)
In this section, you need to assess whether Barbie can be considered a feminist movie, even though the executive producer was hesitant to label it as such. Here’s how to structure your response:
- Define feminism: Start by briefly explaining what feminism means in the context of your course. Consider how feminist movements have evolved, from early waves focused on gender equality to more contemporary discussions about intersectionality and representation.
- Apply feminist concepts: Use concepts like representation, gender roles, and empowerment to discuss the movie. You could argue that Barbie challenges traditional gender roles or presents strong female characters, but also consider the limitations. For example, does the movie offer real empowerment, or does it reinforce certain stereotypes? This kind of balanced analysis will show your critical thinking skills.
- Acknowledge nuances: Since the executive producer was hesitant to call it a feminist movie, you could explore why. Perhaps the commercial nature of the film or its alignment with a major brand like Mattel complicates its feminist messaging. It’s important to highlight both sides of the debate—what makes the movie feminist, and what aspects might detract from that label.
- Use examples from the film: Support your argument with scenes or characters from the movie. For example, does Barbie’s character embody empowerment or merely reflect a surface-level feminist message aimed at selling products? Tie these examples back to the concepts you’ve learned in the course.
Part (b): Consumerist Trends Inspired by Barbie (40 marks)
For this part, you’ll want to focus on how movies like Barbie encourage consumerism and why that’s problematic.
- Explain consumerism: Use concepts from your course, such as commodity fetishism or brand culture, to explain how movies create or reinforce consumerist trends. Movies like Barbie aren’t just entertainment—they’re tied to products, merchandise, and brand identity.
- Discuss the link between movies and consumption: Talk about how Barbie inspires people to buy products, from dolls to fashion items, and how these consumer trends are marketed. The movie might promote a lifestyle or image that’s heavily tied to buying certain products, encouraging materialism.
- Address societal impact: Explain why this consumerism can be problematic. For example, it could promote unsustainable consumption habits, create unrealistic expectations, or reinforce gender norms through branded products. Use course concepts to show how these trends affect individuals and society.
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