Age, Gender and Culture in Current U.S. Society

In this class, we will explore current society’s attitudes toward and perceptions of the aging woman and the aging man across different identity constructs such as race, ethnicity and social class.  We will examine historical and current constructions of age in certain cultural arenas such as art, literature, and advertising, and consider what these constructions express about social power and conflict, or lack thereof.  In doing so, we will attempt to gain a better understanding of the roles and agenda(s) of the image creator(s), as well as the impact of these images on society and culture.