University Communications and Marketing
February 3, 2017
Women’s and Gender Studies Center hosts discussion on ‘Transparent’ with Dr. Steven Funk
Event takes place at 2:30 p.m., February 8 and is free and open to the public
Contacts:
Jennifer Lynn, Women’s & Gender Studies Center, 657-2873
University Relations, 657-2266
MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Now in its fourth season, the award winning show “Transparent” is well known and heralded by many for its exploration of gender and sexuality.
The show is the focus of an upcoming discussion hosted by the Women’s & Gender Studies Center (WGSC) at Montana State University Billings. The event is free and open to the public and takes place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30p.m., February 8, in room 201 in the Liberal Arts building.
Leading the discussion is MSUB Lecturer in Writing and Critical Media Literacy Dr. Steven Funk.
In addition, he serves as a faculty advisor on the MSUB campus Safe Zone initiative and as chair of the LGB+ & TI*+ Sexuality and Gender Studies in the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association. He also teaches in Veterans Upward Bound, a college bridge program delivered through Montana State University Northern and Federal TRIO programs.
“This interactive session will invite participants to share their thoughts on "Transparent" while being introduced to a framework of trans and media literacy,” Funk said. “While many of us applaud the show for its courageous attempt at depicting someone's transition, some also criticize it for myriad reasons.”
The session will delve into the revolution of gender autonomy internationally and the backlash striving to define gender strictly along a binary.
“It is important to consider the implications of trans and representation among media. ‘Transparent’ offers us a great platform from which to discuss critically important issues,” Funk said.
The WGSC is excited to host the event, which will feature light refreshments.
“The Center is dedicated to promoting events which help us understand issues related gender identity and how gender is represented in media. We are thrilled to have an expert in the field who will discuss the award-winning show Transparent,” said WGSC Executive Director Jennifer Lynn.