Skidmore College Offers Sociology Course On Miley Cyrus
Is there something to learn from Miley Cyrus? Apparently there is, according to Skidmore College. The liberal arts school located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., is now offering a special sociology course entitled, The Sociology of Miley Cyrus: Race, Class, Gender and Media.
Taught by professor Carolyn Chernoff, the class will be "using Miley as a lens through which to explore sociological thinking about identity, entertainment, media and fame." In other words, the "Wrecking Ball" singer's public persona, which is essentially based on a media reconstruction of who she really is, will be used as the basis of discussion, which ultimately will fulfill the purpose of the study.
"Unfortunately, the way we talk about female pop stars and female bodies, class matters, gender matters, sexuality and sexual performance matters, but race matters a lot [too] and the way we talk about white pop stars is quite different than how we talk about the bodies of women of color," said Chernoff. "[Cyrus] complicates representations of the female body in pop culture in some ways that are good, bad, and ugly."
The professor added that the students will also focus on Cyrus' shift from Hannah Montana star to twerking pop star, and how her onstage antics have led to discussions about her sexuality. She also mentioned that she has had a positive response from the college staff about the intensive summer course. "Their motto is, 'creative though matters,' and they understand," she said.