Sexual and racial stereotypes are constantly being redefined and reinforced on TV and in movies, in magazines and on the Web, in video games - practically everywhere. They frame perceptions, reinforce prejudices, and promote a fear of the "other". This series scrutinizes the media in order to both expose and understand common sources of bias and the intentions behind them. Expert commentary is provided by Carolyn Kitch, director of the Mass Media and Communication program at Temple University; Oscar Gandy, professor emeritus at the Annenberg School for Communication; and NPR's Bob Garfield, cohost of On the Media. The series consists of two programs:

SEXUAL STEREOTYPES IN THE MEDIA
Categorizing others is a part of human nature, and even as infants we divide the world into two groups "male and female" to help organize our reality. But when these stereotypes are used to make assumptions about a person's character and value, they become gender bias or outright sexism. This program illustrates some of the commercial, cultural, psychological, and sociological forces that have shaped sexual stereotypes in the media, such as demographic segmentation and the selling of gender, the myths of alluring femininity and rugged masculinity, Jungian personality archetypes, consensus reality, stereotype threat, the hegemonic forces of agenda-setting and mainstreaming, body image dysfunctions, and the theory of the male gaze. 38 minutes

RACIAL STEREOTYPES IN THE MEDIA
Although demeaning and offensive racial stereotypes were pervasive in popular media of every kind during the 20th century, most observers would agree that the media is much more sensitive to representations of race today. But the pernicious effects of that stereotyping live on in the new racism arising from disparities in the treatment of stories involving whites and people of color in a ratings-driven news market, media-enhanced isolationism as a result of narrowcasting, and other sources. This program examines the relationship between mass media and social constructions of race from political and economic perspectives while looking at the effects media can have on audiences. 43 minutes

*Sub-Titled