Living in a Barbie World: Interdisciplinary Panel to Discuss the Impact of the Barbie Movie
Baylor faculty members come together to share insights from the summer blockbuster
Contact: Shelby Cefaratti-Bertin, Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-327-8012
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WACO, Texas (Oct. 4, 2023) – The summer blockbuster Barbie made a big impression on both moviegoers and critics alike. Three faculty members from Baylor University will offer their ideas and takeaways from the film during Living in a Barbie World: A Panel Discussion at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in room 152 of the Draper Academic Building, 1420 S. Seventh St. The event is free and open to the public.
Featured speakers are:
- Lenore Wright, Ph.D., director of the Academy for Teaching and Learning, professor of philosophy in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core of the Honors College and author of “Athena to Barbie: Bodies, Archetypes, and Women’s Search for Self”;
- Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media and;
- Leslie Hahner, Ph.D., professor and graduate program director in the Department of Communication.
“Whether or not you liked the Barbie movie that came out this past summer, it does give us a platform to discuss issues regarding race, gender and diversity that impact the way we value ourselves and others,” said Theresa Varney Kennedy, Ph.D., professor of French and director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Baylor.
Combining bright colors, catchy tunes and impressive sets with messages on gender inequality, body image and diversity, Barbie has gone beyond a simple summer movie to make a statement about today’s society.
“Stereotypes, societal pressures and racism are dangerous, and they have negatively impacted all of us,” Kennedy said. “This panel is a welcome opportunity for meaningful dialogue between scholars and students that will inspire us to be the change we want to see in the world.”
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.