Stereotypes of ethnic groups are often difficult to change. The film "Ethnic Notions" analyses the image of Black-Americans in terms of the position of Black-Americans in society and notes the persistence of six basic stereotyped images: Mammy, Sambo, Coon, Pickaninny, Uncle and Brute. "Color Adjustment" discusses the portrayal of Blacks in television. Sut Jhally and Justin Lewis, in Enlightened Racism, analyze the audience response to the Bill Cosby show to see its affect on changing the perceptions of Black-Americans. Also read: "Culture, Ideology and Black Television Images"  Robert Staples and Terry Jones.  These resources present specific issues regarding the presentation of African Americans in American society and its impact on their relations with other groups in society.

For this paper, you are to watch four (4) episodes of any current television show (it does not have to be a sitcom) (4 episodes of 1 program) with black characters (except the Cosby show) and keep notes on what you see. This is what you will analyze in your paper. Keep a clear record of each show, episode title, characters, story line,  significant dialog, stereotypes if any,. This will be typed and attached to the paper you turn in. Keep clear notes. This is the data for your paper. If it is not in your notes you can not use it in your paper.

Write a paper (3-5 pages, typed single spaced) in which you discuss stereotyping and the issues concerning the presentation of African Americans in media, especially television, include a discussion of the presence or absence of stereotyped characters (define these) in the shows you watched. Be sure to refer to the significant points made by the films and the reading in your paper.

Work must be turned in on time in class to get full points for the assignment.

If you don't have access to a t.v., please see the professor.

You can email me at: bmori@calpoly.edu).

ASSIGNMENT DUE : November 30, 1998

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