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Spring 2010 Barbie Events
In conjunction with the Toy & Miniature Museum’s exhibit “Celebrating 50 Fabulous Years with America’s Favorite Doll,” (on view through December 2010) the Women’s Center is offering a series of programs looking at Barbie® from a variety of perspectives. UMKC undergraduate students can also enroll in a one-credit course, "Barbie, Consumer Culture, and Body Image” (A&S 350B – 0001). The course will examine the history of Barbie,® and her relationship to body image and consumer culture, particularly through the lenses of gender and race. Course assignments will include readings, journals, attendance at programs held along with the exhibit, and response papers. For questions about the course, contact Brenda Bethman at bethmanb@umkc.edu.
Friday, February 26
Lecture: “Unpacking Barbie and Her Wardrobe: The Body as Historical Text”
Location: Miller Nichols Library, room 303, 800 East 51st St
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Bring your lunch and a doll and participate in a lively discussion about Barbie and material culture presented by UMKC Professor of History, Miriam Forman-Brunell.
Co-sponsored by the Toy & Miniature Museum and University Libraries.
Wednesday, March 3
Lecture: “Femininity and Feminism: Barbie’s Ambiguities, Ruth Handler’s Ambivalences”
Location: The Toy & Miniature Museum, 5235 Oak St.
Time: 6:30 p.m. Exhibit viewing; 7:00 p.m. Program
UMKC Professor of History, Miriam Forman-Brunell presents a lecture about Barbie and her creator, Ruth Handler. Refreshments served. Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for adults 65+ and students 12-17, and $5 for children 5-12. Free for UMKC students, staff, and faculty.
Co-sponsored by the Toy & Miniature Museum.
Thursday, March 11
Blaming Barbie: Has a Doll Become our Feminist Scapegoat?
Location: Truman Forum Auditorium, Plaza Branch Library, 4801 Main Street (KCMO)
Time: 6:00 p.m. Light Reception; 6:30 p.m. Program
In this lecture, author and blogger Courtney E. Martin will take a hard look at the feminist inclination to demonize Barbie and argue for a renaissance of self-examination instead. She will touch on everything from body image to sex to work/life balance in this entertaining talk; followed by what she hopes will be a lively discussion. Read more about her work at www.courtneyemartin.com or check out her award-winning book, Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: How the Quest for Perfection is Harming Young Women.
Monday, March 15
Film Screening: Barbie Nation
Location: University Center, Room 106, 5000 Holmes St.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Watch this documentary about America’s obsession with Barbie and participate in the discussion afterwards. Snacks provided.
Co-sponsored by the Toy & Miniature Museum.
Tuesday, March 23
Barbie: Love Her or Leave Her?
Location: Toy and Miniature Museum, 5235 Oak St.
Time: 11:30 Exhibit viewing; 12:00 p.m. Program
Find out how the UMKC community feels about Barbie by watching a short documentary film produced by the Women’s Center student staff. Then join in the discussion about how our feelings about Barbie growing up influenced the way we played with her then, how we feel about her now, and how we feel about ourselves. Lunch provided. Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for adults 65+ and students 12-17, and $5 for children 5-12. Free for UMKC students, staff, and faculty.