Assignment #1

Cult(ure) of Beauty

Watch the following video clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U along with the following documentaries in class Cult of the Beautiful Body and Beauty Backlash and answer the following questions drawing from them.

1. Explain what is meant by "Philosophers contend the conception of beauty is a political and economic concept nurtured and calculated by cold financial interests."
    
2. What is meant by "beauty is in the imagination of the masses"?
    
3. If "the message of media is simply social research put into practice," what does the media's message indicate about human nature in the western world?
    
4. What does Dove claim as the objective of their self-esteem campaign?  Besides making money, what reasons could Dove have for their self-esteem campaign?  Do sales indicate it is an effective sales strategy?
    
5. How much do you feel advertising has an impact on your personal grooming habits?  How about celebrities--to what extent do you pushed to buy what they promote?
    
6. Identify your sex and explain how you feel about the Dove campaign.
    
7. Rank order what most influences to what least influences the American idea/ideal of beauty:  Socialization by family, Socialization by peers, Celebrities, Popular culture, Genetics, Advertising media.  Explain your ranking.  What else can you think of that influences the idea/ideal of beauty?
    
8. What is/defines beauty?  Who decides?  How can "beauty bestow social power?"