Media, Race and Gender
Jour 295c
Winter 2009
classroom: Reid 215
Prof. Indira Somani
202 Reid Hall
458-8431
somanii@wlu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:30-3:30, Thursdays 10am to Noon or by appointment
Schedule:
Mondays and Wednesdays: G,H (2:30pm to 4:00pm)
Texts:
Wilson, C, Gutierrez, F. and Chao, L. Racism, Sexism, and the Media
Additional readings: See on-line links, and course reserves.
Course description:
How are race, gender, class and sexual orientation portrayed in television, film and billboards, magazines and other media? This course will employ a theoretical and analytical framework to focus on historical and current portrayals and stereotypes of women and people of color in news, entertainment and advertising. It will also explore how images affect perception and behavior. 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 Objectives:
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.
By the end of the semester students should have :
- Gained insights into the pervasiveness of stereotyping in media throughout American history
- Explored how images affect perception and behavior
- Learned how media images and reality conflict
- Developed expertise in media literacy and respect for issues of multiculturalism and gender
Journalism Objectives:
- Learn to examine race, gender, class and sexual orientation in various kinds of media.
- Learn about the quality of media already examined—critique the quality of the images portrayed.
- Learn about how images in the media have been less examined.
- Think critically, creatively and independently.
- Write correctly, clearly, concisely—using active verbs.
- Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and proper sentence structure.
Women and Gender Studies Objectives for course:
- learning to use gender as a tool of analysis
- developing a facility with several key concepts (including social construction, structural oppression, and intersectionality) that have been central to Women's Studies and feminist theory.
- gaining a basic understanding of a variety of feminist perspectives
- increasing knowledge about both the particularity and the diversity of women's experiences
- understanding how Women's Studies and feminist theory have influenced the production of knowledge in a variety of academic disciplines.
Course Structure:
The course meets twice a week. On Mondays we will discuss the topic of the week, on Wednesdays or the following Mondays you will have a weekly critique due.
Weekly critiques (20%):
Weekly critiques involve analyzing the specific media of the week. These should be NO MORE than one page; double-spaced, 1 inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font. This can be written in first person or third person. It should be an analysis of the messages you think are conveyed regarding race, gender, class or other social positions (sexual preference, disability, ethnicity, for instance). Any possible stereotypes? What message do you think is being communicated? Use the weekly readings in your analysis.
Class Participation and attendance (15%):
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 by one whole letter grade. Keeping up with the reading will help facilitate class discussions and the edification of you and your classmates.
Mid-term (20%):
The mid-term exam will focus on one major media event (mostly likely news event) that had undertones of race and gender mixed in with it. You will be required to analyze the race and gender aspects of the event. There will also be other essay questions about the reading material and its corresponding media components.
Final Paper (25%):
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, internet ad, a sitcom episode, a television commercial 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. A minimum of 10 pages plus references will be expected for the paper. This paper should be written in 3rd person. Please get approval for your final paper topic in advance. Please use the material from class or any additional material to support your analysis. Please include a title with your paper and a list of references. Any consistent citation style is acceptable, i.e. MLA, Chicago, APA, etc.
Group Projects (20%): Students will work in groups of 3 or 4 analyzing race, gender, class, or sexual orientation in current media of their choice, such as communications strategy, campaign, newscast, magazine, television program, internet ad, a sitcom episode, a television commercial or television portrayal. Each presentation should be about 15 to 20 minutes. Students will be graded on the following categories:
Oral Presentation Skills (Delivery) --
- Project your voice
- Convey Clear Concise Understandable Information/Demonstrate knowledge of the material
- As a group—are you evenly presenting information? Does everyone have the same amount of “face-time?”
- Do you use all your time?
Content
- Do you deliver what you proposed?
- How well do you demonstrate your knowledge of the material?
- How well did you research your topic and come up with your own material for the presentation?
Use of Mass Media—
- Use of the website
- Style of Presentation
- Power Point
- Music
- Video
- Photographs
Working together as a group—
- How well did you present as a whole?
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Deadlines:
You must meet the deadline of your assignments. There will be no extensions.
Grading:
Everything you do in this course should be undertaken in conformity with the spirit of the Washington and Lee University Honor system. Please pledge all of your written work. Should you ever have any question regarding whether your work meets my standards for work that may be fairly pledged, please feel free to consult me.
Weekly Critiques 20%
Mid-term 20%
Class Participation/Attendance 15 %
Final Paper 25%
Group Projects 20%
Grading Scale:
A |
93-100 |
A- |
90-92 |
B+ |
86-89 |
B |
83-85 |
B- |
80-82 |
C+ |
75-79 |
C |
72-74 |
C- |
70-71 |
D |
69-61 |
F |
60 or below |
A: Superior to above-average work. This work requires few changes to the writing, if any. Participates in classroom discussion of media critiques, has excellent attendance, meets deadlines, and maintains professionalism. Keeps up with the reading and does not fall behind.
B: Good to average work. This work may have some problems in the writing, but generally it could be corrected with a moderate amount of rewriting or re-editing. Media critiques are good quality work. Participates somewhat in classroom discussion or reading assignments.
C: Satisfactory to below average work. This work may contain problems with the writing and it may be difficult to understand. This person does not participate in class discussion. Poor attendance to class.
D: Poor work. Usually reserved for exceptionally damaging problems with accuracy, writing, format, style or story flow in the newscast produced. Also does not participate in class discussion or does not attend class.
F: Failure. This grade is usually reserved for assignments that do not make deadline or work that breaks the ethical codes.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE:
- Become aware of the different kinds of media around you. Read the paper or watch the news on television. Start to pay attention to how race, gender, class and sexual orientation are portrayed in the media. Look at magazines, television, the internet, newspapers, films, and more.
- Be a news junkie. This class is all about media. Read the paper, online news, listen to the radio (i.e. NPR) and watch TV news BEFORE you come to class. Stay on top of what is happening in the world. Being a news junkie will help you succeed.
- Quality counts. Strive to produce the highest quality product you can.
- Beyond the basics. Don’t take the easy way out when you writing your critiques— really think about the image portrayed in the media and what is being conveyed to you. Develop your analysis with the reading material.
- Pay attention to the details. Think about writing concisely and with the active voice. Pay attention to your writing, i.e. spellings, punctuation, grammar, etc. Don’t let a lack of attention to details ruin your grade. If you don’t know something, ask or look it up. There are no stupid questions.
I will be grading each student on his/her progress throughout the semester.
You should also keep track of your grades throughout the semester this way.
Attendance/Class Participation could sway your FINAL grade in the direction of a “plus (+) or minus (-).” Improvement in your writing will also sway your FINAL grade in the direction of a “plus (+)”.
Remember improvement counts!!!
Professionalism:
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. I do not think we should shirk controversy. We must all work to cultivate a practice of civility toward each other as we struggle with difficult issues. Please remember that understanding why people (students, teachers, authors) who disagree with you have come to the position they hold is a very valuable means of understanding how our media work. When you find another’s opinion distressing, remind yourself that the opinion is also rich data in your quest to better understand the media world. Feel free to address yourself openly and honestly to any argument, so long as you do so in a spirit that encourages the equally honest and open participation of your best adversary.
You must be prepared for class by reading the required texts, and participate in class. You will be judged on the thoroughness of your work. Keep this perspective in mind in everything you do. Students discussions are expected to be rational, respectful and constructive. Working as a professional often means coming to class prepared to talk about the reading material and what they have observed in the media that week. Please come to class with a positive attitude. Please make sure your cell phones are turned off! Also no checking personal email, instant messaging while you are in class.