As a reflection exercise, ask students to consider what makes up their identity and which facets of their identity are most important to them (sex, race, ethnicity, age, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, etc.). Then ask students to think about how their identity has potentially been shaped by the media. Have each student bring in or identify a piece of media that has personally impacted them. This could be done periodically throughout a unit or semester, as homework or a blog. For discussion:

• Did this media in any way shape your understanding of your identity (gender, race, class, sexuality, etc.)? If so, offer a specific example.
• Did this media impact your behavior? Did you reenact something you saw? Did you buy something?
• Did this media impact how you see yourself or think about your appearance?