Beyoncé's 2011 music video for "Who Run The World (Girls)" portrays her as both an aggressive leader and sex object. The document asks how her image is constructed through performance and representation to establish power while also being objectified. It questions whether this portrayal of women as both strong and sexualized is a positive or negative representation that advances or hinders perceptions of women.

1. Women in Music Videos

2. We are going to watch Beyonce’s 2011 video for
Who Run The World (Girls)
Who Rules the World (Girls)

3. How is Beyonce being represented? What kind of
woman is being portrayed through her
performance?

4. In what ways is her image constructed? How is this
representation built up? It may be helpful to see how
her aggressive leader image is constructed and how she
is also constructed as a sex object.

5. What factors do you think govern this representation?
Why has this image been carefully created for the
star? Is the image the same as the reality?

6. What do YOU think – is this a positive or a negative
representation of women? Progressive or
regressive?

7. Can you think of any other artist whose image has
given cause for similar concern?