Instructions

For this assignment, you are going to consume the relevant media texts listed below, and then answer 5 essay questions. 

Relevant Media Texts

1. Dolly Parton's America Episode 1, "Sad Ass Songs"

TRANSCRIPT (If you don't see it, you may need to click on the transcript tab. There's some intro material you scroll past.)

We listened to this in class. Assuming you were present, you won't need to listen to this again, but you have the option. 

2. Sarah Smarsh "Country pride: what I learned growing up in rural America" (PDF copy)

OR

Paul Slade "Unprepared to die: Knoxville Girl"

OR 

Helen Morales "Caviar and Fish Sticks" from Pilgrimage to Dollywood

3. Dolly Parton's America Episode 2, "I Will Always Leave You"

4. Episode 3 of Been T/Here featuring NIC Kay

You can swap in another episode of Been T/Here if you prefer. Episodes are available here.

5. One or more media texts of your choosing that tell a story about gender

This/these can be selected from TV shows, songs, films, magazine articles, books and shorts stories, social media, etc. Be prepared to provide links, screen captures or quotes. 

Questions

(You should copy these questions, hit submit, and then paste them in to get started on the answers. Use the buttons at the top of the screen to embed media, links, etc.).

1. Explain the media text(s) you selected and provide links to them or to more information. Why did you select this? What story/stories are told about gender in your selection(s)?
2. Explain why Sarah Smarsh thinks of Dolly Parton as "the OG third wave feminist," drawing on the definition of third wave feminism provided in class. Explain Dolly's position on feminism and how this shifts by the end of Sad Ass Songs, being sure to cover the idea of feminism in theory vs. feminism in practice and the role that going or not going to college may play in shaping one's relationship to feminism. 
3. Looking across the two episodes of Dolly Parton's America, the episode of Been T/Here, and your selected media text(s), how would you describe the types of stories that are told about gender in these forms of storytelling? Try to get at some of the variations but recognize that you won't be able to capture all of them. 
4. Choose one of the 3 texts from item 2 under relevant media (Sarah Smarsh, Paul Slade, or Helen Morales) and explain how this scholarship added layers to the story that we learn in the podcast. 
5. Choose one of the concepts from the unit on gender not covered in the above questions and use one or more of the relevant media texts to illustrate it. Explain why the illustration works. Imagine you are teaching the concept to someone younger and make sure you really explain on clear terms. 

Extra credit alternate question: What did you think about Dolly Parton as an artist and celebrity before you started this class. How has that changed?