Communication Studies The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Search

036:075 Gender, Sexuality, and the Media

Prerequisite: 36:001 Core Concepts

Curriculum Fit:

This is a Communication Studies theory course, which aims to explore particular bodies of theory and investigate the process of theorizing.

Course Objective:

This course aims to explore the ways in which mass media help form, reproduce and challenge our understanding of gender and sexuality. Typically, the first part of the semester is spent examining various approaches/theories of media, gender and sexuality. The rest of the term then moves into critical examination of how these concepts are constructed by the media (by looking at such various media texts as film, television, popular music, books, advertising, etc.)

Typical workload/Assignments:

In addition to a midterm and final exam, instructors have often assigned a various papers/projects that incorporate both current media and scholarly articles. Some examples of assignments include: a 4-6 page paper that examines current controversies of gender/sexuality in the media, an annotated bibliography of scholarly articles on these subjects, and a media tracking paper that examines a products marketing/advertising campaigns with a subsequent in-class presentation. Other options may include a substantial group presentation and a major final semester paper/lit review of approximately 7-10 pages. Additional shorter assignments such as brief reading responses and application exercises may also be incorporated.

Suggested textbook:

Dines, Gail & Humez, Jean. (Eds). (2002) Gender, Race, and Class in the Media.2nd edition. Sage Publications.

Notes: This text has been used for several years, and keeps getting updated so it makes it a viable option. However, in addition, some instructors also put together a reading packet of some of the primary theorists (Althusser/Gramsci, Stuart Hall, Judith Butler, bell hooks, etc.) in addition to the textbook.

Other Resources

Language and Gender Resource Archive - syllabi, assignments, readings, etc. - created by Barbara LeMaster and Amy Sheldon for and from a workshop they gave at the Fourth International Gender and Language Association Conference in València, Spain

Gender and Race in Media (University of Iowa)
http://www.uiowa.edu/commstud/resources/GenderMedia.html
Annotated webliography covering: African American, Asian American, Assorted Gender & Media links, Cyberspace, Feminist Media, Indexes and Directories, Latin American, LesBiGay, Native American and other Indigenous Peoples, Print media, Television & Film, Other Media.