Group 2 Discussion Questions

1.  Ashcraft's article looks at the ways in which popular culture can spark constructive dialogues about sexuality, gender, and education.  Ashcraft states that American Pie, the film, both breaks down and perpetuates the dominant discourse on teenage sexuality and gender roles.  In light of the recent criticism of Seth Macfarlane's performance, I would like us, as a group, to discuss the ways in which his use of humor and parody during the Oscars both perpetuates and subverts dominant views on women and gender relations.  By actually going through the process Ashcraft suggests, I believe we will be able to better appreciate what she proposes in the article.

2.  In the New York Times article, Dr. Barres stated that he always identified with the male identity.  How does this complicate the idea of him crossing over from the female to the male role?  This also begs the question, is there any way to truly understand both the male and female perspective?  Barres changed realms physically, but mentally, he was always associated with the male/dominant perspective/set of expectations.  How does the Thorne article complicate this idea of "crossing-over" with race?  What do you believe is more dominant or more at the forefront of our negotiations with 'others'--race or gender?  While it is obviously difficult to experience a shift in understanding genders, is it easier, more difficult, or impossible to truly experience and understand differences in race?


3.  The Newkirk article delves into the fact that the majority of male writing seems to reflect the dominant expectations of male tendencies towards violence or deletion of women and discusses the possibility that, to young males, the writing is not so much about the content, but about subverting authority, gaining autonomy, building relationships, and experimenting with humor.  How does this also relate to the varied reactions to the Oscars?  How does this article, along with the Ashcraft article, seek to challenge the way in which we challenge texts and understandings?