by Kathryn Voorneveld
“Have any of you seen the show Grey’s Anatomy? There’s an amazing example of realizing white privilege and fragility in one episode,” says my professor. “I have to show you the clip!” This is my Social (In)Equalities course, offered as a part of the Honors Experience Program at Florida State University. The class, which was made up of myself and eleven other freshmen, teaches students all about the construction and perpetuation of inequalities in our modern world. Race, gender, sexuality, and economic class are just a few of the common topics we discussed throughout the semester. These categories of difference were explored in light of different institutions and societal structures.
One specific topic caught my attention—how prevalent and harmful stereotypes in media are. As a guest blogger for EDIT Media, I became more and more interested in whether a Social (In)Equalities class like mine could potentially help solve this and other media-related inequality issues. I wondered what would happen if this course was recommended or required for all students, especially media and film production students. I held a class discussion towards the end of the semester to see what my classmates had to say about the topic.
Several people said that the course was among their favorites. One specific student commented, “To be honest, before, I was reluctant to take the class, but now I thoroughly enjoy it. I feel like I’m more aware of issues.” Many of my peers also mentioned that the class was extremely applicable to everyday life; they had a better understanding of factors contributing to evident inequalities and how to take things from other peoples’ perspectives. “I feel like I can break out of set boundaries and think more deeply about issues,” a student reflected.
Students then deliberated over whether or not all students should be required to take this course, or a similar course. Several said that, yes, the course should be mandatory. Quickly, however, an important point was raised. “I like this class because everyone really cares about what we’re learning,” one student said. “They’re genuinely open and honest. If it was required, a lot of people might not care the same way; it’d be a different learning environment.” Another student responded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s good that it’s small. I think that the topics should definitely be implemented in other classes though.”
“I feel like I can break out of set boundaries and think more deeply about issues”
One of the things we discussed closer to the end of the semester was how awareness of both social and political issues affects media production, as well as society’s perception of media. Some of these issues include racial inequality, the wealth gap, and discrimination against individuals based on gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
During our discussion, my peers raised some very important points. They discussed the existence of stereotypes within works of media. Students also mentioned how more problems, such as racial profiling, may arise from stereotypes’ perpetuation. If materials from this course were implemented into all students’ curriculums, however, most students agreed that the public and media producers alike would be more informed about social issues and how they contribute to phenomena such as inequality.
Assistant Professor Malia Bruker in the School of Communication at Florida State University concurred. “I think that my students, who primarily make documentary and non-fiction films, could really benefit from a class that helps them better understand the way society works…Students need to look for the most authentic stories and I think a course like this would help them avoid stereotypes, particularly when making work about communities other than their own.”
My Social (In)Equalities professor, Dr. Azat Gündogan, explained that the main goal of this course was to help students “acquire the necessary tools, concepts, and ways of understanding inequalities.” Dr. Gündogan, who is Honors Program Faculty and Affiliate Faculty in FSU’s School of Sociology, believes that this course can benefit more than just those interested in sociology. “Such a socially-conscious, critical mindset is a must for everybody of all professions if we want meaningful change toward a just, equal, and democratic society.”
Kathryn Voorneveld is a freshman currently majoring in Information Communication & Technology at Florida State University. Next year she hopes to be admitted into the Media/Communication Studies major. She has recently become invested in learning about and openly discussing the social inequalities that are evident in our world and hopes that through her generation’s education on perpetuating inequalities, they are able to make our world a more inclusive, more equal place for generations to come. Her work with EDIT Media is supported by The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at Florida State and her mentor, Assistant Professor Malia Bruker.
