Race, Gender and Media
J-295A
Winter 2006
Course specifics
Class Time: Thursday, 5-8 pm
Instructor: John X. Miller millerJX@wlu.edu
Office hours: Wednesday, 3-5 pm; Thursday, 10:30-5 pm
Course description:
With the changing demographics of America, the importance of race, ethnicity and gender sensitivity is critical to the survival, success and relevance of media. Markets and audiences once viewed as marginal are now seen as critical. Ethnic populations are growing faster than the Anglo populations, causing economic, ethnic and geographic conflicts, which require understanding the important role the media play in the coverage and portrayal of our multicultural society.
Course objective:
This course will explore how race, gender, class, sexual orientation and special interest populations are affected by and affect media coverage in the United States. It will help develop knowledge of the historical roles news and entertainment media have played in creating awareness of racial, ethnic and gender issues. The course focuses on theories, analyses, media representation of multicultural groups and topics of current interest.
Goals:
By the end of the semester:
· Gain insights into the pervasiveness of stereotyping in media throughout American history
· Explore how images affect perception and behavior
· Know how media images and reality conflict
· Develop expertise in media literacy and respect for issues of multiculturalism and gender
Requirements:
This course is likely to take you out of your comfort zone by challenging your perceptions and assumptions about race and gender because these are sensitive topics. But I expect our discussions to be rational, respectful and constructive. You must be prepared for class by reading the required texts and participate in class.
Completion of the reading and attendance are required because your participation in class discussions will enhance the learning experience for all of us. Two or more absences will reduce your grade. Keeping up with the reading will help facilitate class discussions and the edification of you and your classmates.
Once each month based on the preceding readings and discussion, I will ask an essay question for students to answer in class. The dates: Jan. 27; Feb. 24; March 24.
The purpose of this project is to encourage research and reflection in an area that interests the student.
You should assess a current media communications strategy, campaign, newscast, magazine, television program or portrayal by answering these questions:
What messages are conveyed regarding race, gender, class or other social positions (sexual preference, disability, ethnicity, for instance)? What stereotypes are supported or violated? How are these messages transmitted. What words, symbols, and images are used? How are identities constructed? What can be done to remedy problems of stereotypical images, words and portrayals in the news yet provide truthful and accurate information?
The paper will need to conform to standards of a traditional academic research paper, meaning it must have an annotated bibliography, introduction and statement of purpose, method used to analyze your subject, findings and conclusion.
The examination will focus on having you respond to questions that test your understanding and knowledge of the concepts, practices, events and issues that pertain to race and gender portrayals.
Grading policy:
90%-100%= A
80%-89=B
70-79=C
60-69=D
less than 60%= F
Course schedule (calendar subject to change)
Jan. 6
Introductions and course overview
Introductory quiz
Jan. 13
Racism, Sexism and the Media, chapters 1-4
Jan. 21
Racism, Sexism and the Media, chapters 5-7
Race/Gender/Media, chapter 1
Jan. 27
Racism, Sexism and the Media, chapters 9-11
Essay question.
Feb. 3
White Media, chapters 1-5
Race/Gender/Media, chapter 2
Feb. 10
Racism, Sexism and the Media, chapter 12
Race/Gender/Media, chapters, 3
Feb. 17
White media, chapters 6-7
Race/Gender/Media, chapter 7
Feb. 24
Race/Gender/Media, chapters 8-9
Essay question.
Discussion of research paper
March 3
Race/Gender/Media, chapter 10
Images that Injure, General Overview, Stereotypes from Sept. 11, 2001
March 10
Race/Gender/Media, chapter 12
Images that Injure, Gender Stereotypes
March 17
Race/Gender/Media, chapter 13
Images that Injure, Chapter on Sexual Orientation Stereotypes
March 24
Images that Injure, Chapter on Age and Physical Stereotypes
Essay question.
March 31
Additional reading, distributed