Essay Question: In a society that craves authenticity, why do we often idolize and elevate celebrities who project carefully curated images? How does this tension between authenticity and celebrity culture manifest in various aspects of society? Critically assess this paradox of fame.3000-word essay (excluding bibliography)*This assessment should be completed WITHOUT the assistance of any generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Grammarly, Claude etc)!!I will provide the PowerPoint slides and readings below. Please ensure that the essay incorporates all pertinent information and remains on course. – Dyer, R. (2003) ‘Introduction’ to Heavenly Bodies, Routledge- Martin, J and K. Allen (2023) ‘Scripting the nation: crisis celebrity, national treasures and welfare imaginaries in the pandemic’. Sociological Review, forthcoming (attached below).-Horton, D. and Wohl, R. (1956) ‘Mass communication and para-social interaction,’ Psychiatry, 19 pp. 215-29-Giles, D. ‘Fame and the General Public’ pp 54-71 (in) Giles, D. (2000) Illusions of Immortality, Palgravehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22yoaiLYb7M&ab_channel=TEDxTalks -Barron, L. ‘Fans and Celebrity’ in Barron, L. (2015) Celebrity Cultures: An introduction pp. 83-96-Redmond, S. (2019) ‘Impressionable Audiences: Consuming Celebrity Culture’ in Celebrity (Key Ideas) Routledge pp197-225https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m16wJbMJHvc&ab_channel=AustralianIntFashionFilmFestival
*Assessment Criteria
Essay answers will be assessed on a variety of criteria. These include:
- the extent to which the course aims and learning outcomes have been achieved;
- the use of evidence from the work of scholars to make clear arguments;
- critical engagement with the works of scholars covered on the course;
- imagination and originality (the extent to which you have been able to synthesise the works of others and develop your own view of their work).
1. Exceptionally clear, coherent and logical argument2. Exceptionally well understood and explained theories and concepts3. Exclusively relevant content. Accurate and insightful reflection of appropriate range of relevant readings.4. A lot of evidence of original thought, analysis and evaluation5. Very accurate and insightful use of evidence6. Excellent referencing throughout with correctly formatted bibliography.7. Exceptionally clear expression. Consistently accurate grammar and/or syntax, excellent spelling