Presentation: Stereotypes in Whiskey Advertisement
01 July 2012
I am sure you have noticed the new
repo and my first
steps towards my next presentation. It is pretty amazing: I managed to
start more than three days before the actual date. One problem so far is
the gap between the topic of the seminar (“Transatlantic Migrations”)
and my presentation. To be honest, I did not think too much before
choosing this particular subject. But here’s my reasoning why it is
relevant to the module at large:
- Let’s go cultural studies It is hard to define the position of
the seminar between cultural studies and history and politics, it
draws from both. Personally, I found the former much more
interesting because it sheds light on the larger picture, the
connections on abstract levels. I find the fabric of our culture
more interesting than the story of how it (the culture) came to be.
- Stereotypes are valid subjects of cultural studies While being
dangerous, they also help to make sense of things and function as
shortcuts.
They also often center around nationalities.
- Whiskey ad producers often use national stereotypes Since the
countries most closely connected to Whiskey already have strong and
well-defined stereotypes and connotations attached to them, it makes
sense to use them to draw a very straight line from, say, whiskey to
Ireland to Irish nature to purity.
As my devoted followers will undoubtedly have noticed, these thoughts
are pretty half-baked so far. But then again, I honestly see a valid
argument in the material.
Update My professor has given me permission to proceed with this
project. One week to go.
Update 2 I held the presentation and got a
1,3.
Update 3 The final version is
here.
Update 4 I am thinking about writing an (optional) essay about the
topic, started a repo.
We’ll see.