A college in Saratoga Springs, NY is promoting a new sociology course entitled ‘The Sociology Of Miley Cyrus’. The class description says that the course uses Miley Cyrus as a lens through which students can explore themes about race, gender, and identity in the media.
The course literature states; ‘The current media frenzy focused on Miley Cyrus (her public image, her music, and more) highlights the ways in which intersectional identities are shaped by pop culture and mass media. In this special topics course, we will examine core issues of intersectionality theory, looking at the interplay among race, class, and gender, as well as taking a feminist critique of media and sociology of media approach to the Miley “problem.”’
The class will also cover a variety of topics including:
• The rise of the Disney Princess
• Gender stratification and the hyper-commodification of childhood
• Transitions to adulthood
• What happens to Disney stars as they age (see Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and more)
• Allies and appropriation
• Uses of culture across race, class, and gender
• Bisexuality, queerness, and the female body