Analysing a College Magazine

First thing I notice when I look at this magazine is that it looks formal because of the layout with all of the text set out in columns. The very few images make it look boring and uninteresting. However the image of graffiti on the walls shows the school has a relaxed attitude and the sub heading of the "heads message" shows that he is involved in the school. Also the story on the Christmas concert shows there is a lot to do in the school with extra curricular activities outside of lessons. The red background stands out and the title has a Christmas design with the snow on the text.

Things I would do differently
This is more of a newsletter than a magazine so first I would actually make a magazine. I would have more images and less text to make it more interesting and appealing. Also I would neaten things up and maybe include more colour.

Ideology

Ideology is what we think of something and the beliefs behind it. The ideology of school is safe and welcoming but can be shown in many ways just look at the images below:

The ideology in this picture makes it look cool but if you look deeper into the image it doesn't look a nice place. The low angle taken of the school makes it look large and imposing. The clouds behind are dark and miserable making it look scary and prison-like.

However this picture has a completely different ideology. The blue sky is clear and makes it look more welcoming than the other picture. This picture shows the school to be a safe environment and is taken in a way were it looks non threatening.

The Male Gaze

The male gaze was introduced by Laura Mulvey in 1975, the theory views the concept of how an audience views a particular scene or image. In feminism the male gaze can be categorized into 3 types of gaze:

• How men view women 
• How women view women 
• How women view themselves. 

The male gaze theory shows the power that women can have on men and this can be seen in music magazines like the one below. 

Lily Allen is featured on the front cover of this Q magazine and is seen as being attractive. Her appearance on the cover does not relate to music but to flaunt her body and to attract male attention. The seductive look with the look over the shoulder and the tagline "Lily Allen & her wicked wicked ways..." appeals to males and encourages them to buy the magazine.

In comparison Beth Ditto's appearance on the NME front cover takes the male gaze theory and does the complete opposite to that of Q. Beth wouldn't be classed as being attractive by males and her stunt is showing that not all women are attractive and slim. Her appearing naked is not something new as she tends to do this when performing because she gets overheated. Therefore the statement she was trying to make didn't have much of an effect.

Introduction to Feminism

Introduction

Feminism is the belief in the equality of the sexes. It is a movement aimed at defining, establishing and defending the rights for women so they have same equal opportunities as men. A feminist supports the right for women to be equal to men. Feminists campaign for women rights such as the right to vote, equal pay, political power and the same opportunities in education and employment.

History of Feminism
Feminism came around during the 1950's when the men where at war and the workforce needed looking after so the women took over and started to do what was the male job. Once the men returned it was expected that everything would go back to usual. However women liked the independence and wanted to carry on working. Since then feminism has gone all out to fight for equality and feminist groups have campaigned to secure the right for many things and still continue to do so.



Major Events
In the 1960's many women burned their bras to make a statement and to stand up for women rights. At Miss America Protest there were trashcan which they called freedom trashcans that women threw bras, curlers, tweezers, girdles and high heels into them to be burned.

Famous Feminists
There are many famous feminists today with many being in the media eye these include Lady Gaga, Gloria Steinmen, Hilary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey. All of these feminists have different views on how women are portrayed in todays society and below is a short clip of Lady Gaga on feminism.