Women and Media Fall 2018
MEDIA 384.00
Mondays 7:00 pm-9:40 pm
Department of Film and Media - Hunter College
Professor Desireé Caro :: prof.caro384 at gmail dot com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course students will be introduced to key issues and
theoretical approaches in the study of women and media. The course will
explore representations of self identified women in media as well as
researching the work of self identified women in the industry. Students will
research and analyze how the media creates and challenges stereotypes, ideas of
difference including exclusionary representations of minorities and women.
Readings, class discussions and projects will explore how media shapes our attitudes
and identities. Long a focus and a concern in feminist scholarship, critique of
the media is crucial in the discussion of the representation of women in the
media. The course will use a historic context of feminist media studies to
interpret and analyze contemporary media examples. Students will read across
various fields to interpret and critique images in various media: television,
advertising, film and new media to explore women’s role and perception, women
as audience and especially the importance of women as media makers.
COURSE OVERVIEW and
EXPECTATIONS
This class is intended to help students develop the ability to
create thoughtful and engaging projects and writing assignments. In addition to
a rigorous reading schedule students are required to write various projects for
the class blog and sustain continued research and writing throughout the course
in addition to the scheduled projects.
Feedback from your classmates is a valuable resource for the
improvement of your writing and your work. Critiques allow us to share our
projects with others and express our intentions. The idea is to be able to
understand the concept behind each work and to analyze the method of every
student to determine whether they achieved their goals. Feedback from others
gives us valuable information in order to keep making progress. For this
reason, class participation is essential.
Class sessions will be divided into presentations, class
discussion of the readings, and group critiques of projects. Presentations will
address both theoretical and analytical issues related to women and media. Some
class time will be dedicated to work on individual projects but it is the
student’s responsibility to finish his/her work and present it on time.
Students are responsible to be prepared for class, read all assignments on time
and post all writing and projects to the blog, paying attention to technical
and aesthetic presentation as well as thoughtful and well-developed content.
READINGS There are no required texts. Various weekly reading
assignments will be assigned and linked on the blog and posted on Google Drive.
The full reading schedule will be distributed on the blog. Readings are due
each week. All readings are REQUIRED unless otherwise stated.
CLASS PARTICIPATION By enrolling in this course and entering the classroom,
each student makes the tacit commitment to participate in the class. Active
class participation involves more than mere physical presence. Students are
expected to be actively involved in the class. They should take the initiative
in discussion and projects, ask relevant questions, and contribute to the
overall learning environment of the class. It is your responsibility:
- To prepare for class by having
read assignments, written papers and/or prepared projects;
- To actively participate in class
discussion and activities;
- To take notes on discussions,
presentations, and activities conducted within the class;
- To complete all course
assignments, even if you are absent from a class meeting.
BLOG You must consult the class blog daily to check for
announcements, readings and to post your assignments. The blog is crucial to
the course and completion of the requirements. You MUST have access to
the blog to complete assignments, readings, post work and comment on students’
posts.
GROUP
AGREEMENTS/DISCUSSION GUIDELINES
The course material and discussions can often
be provocative and challenging. We must therefore be careful to be respectful
of each other and all of our viewpoints. No student shall ever be made to feel
uncomfortable because of race, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
The following are the general guidelines each student agrees to upon entering
the classroom:
- One mic → Only one student should be speaking at a time. Please
wait for your classmates to finish their thoughts before responding to
their statements
- Make space, take space → If you are someone who is usually quieter or more
hesitant to share in a group setting, challenge yourself to “take space”
by contributing to the conversation. If you are a talkative person and
feel very confident sharing in group settings, be sure to “make space” for
others to participate as well. This way, we’ll hear from all different
people during today’s workshop.
- Trust intent, name impact → We will assume that everyone has good intentions when
they contribute to today’s conversation. That said, if someone makes a
comment that feels offensive, even if the intentions were good, we will
talk about why those comments may be hurtful.
- Use ‘I statements’ → when we state our opinions, we will only speak for
ourselves as individuals. We won’t speak for entire groups or other
individuals.
- What’s said here stays here. What’s learned here leaves
here → our
confidentiality agreement. We welcome you to share the information you’ll
learn today once you walk out the door. But any personal information or
stories shared should be kept confidential.
GOOGLE DRIVE: All course materials including the syllabus, weekly readings,
and supplemental media will be centrally located the class Google Drive.
Access to the Google Drive will be granted to students on the first day
of class.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR
COMPLETION OF THE COURSE
Five writing assignments published to the blog as well as a
class presentation and a final project will be developed during the semester.
You must complete these in a professional manner and ON TIME. No
late work will be accepted for a full grade evaluation unless previously
discussed with the professor. The assignments will be related to the issues
discussed in class, allowing students to explore new technologies by
researching and responding to various class discussions and readings.
Attendance and grading
policy:
Attendance strongly encouraged as this course is heavily
dependent on the discussions and experiences held in class each week.
While attendance will not be formally recorded, missing class will
greatly impede your ability to be successful in this course.
Evaluation:
30% 5 blog posts
10% group presentation
40% final project
20% participation (Contributions to class, critiques and the
blog + attendance)
NOTE: BACK-UP your work frequently, even as you are working on
the projects. Write and edit your posts locally before uploading them to the
web. No excuses!
* If you have a disability which will affect your coursework,
please notify the instructor within the first two weeks of class to ensure
suitable arrangements and a comfortable working environment.
Contact The Office for Students with Disabilities, Hunter East
1119 Phone (212) 772-4882 or 4891, TTY: (212) 650-3230.
* This is a list of numbers which you can use if there is an
emergency or crisis situation on the Hunter campus or if you need assistance at
other times. Security -B125 West - 772 - 4444; During business hours: Medical
Office - Room 307 North - 772 - 4800; Office of Student Services - 1119 East -
772 - 4882 4891 (crisis counseling available), The Women's Center - 801 East -
772 - 4931.
Hunter's Reading/Writing center is where students receive
tutoring in reading and writing skills, critical reading, and the writing
process. Students can apply for a weekly appointment with a tutor and/or use
drop-in services during scheduled hours. Students may also attend workshops
offered at the Center throughout the academic year.
http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/
Statement on Originality
of the Work
All work completed for this course must be completed by the
student enrolled in the course. All work for this course must be made in this
course and not fulfilling the requirements of another prior or current course
unless pre-approved by the instructor. Plagiarism is a very serious
academic offense that will result in penalties ranging from reduction of class
grade to failure in the course. Plagiarism occurs when the ideas,
images, and words, published or unpublished, of others are presented as one's
own without citing the original source. Plagiarism also occurs when the papers,
research, or creative works of another person are presented as one's own
work.
Hunter College Policy on Sexual Misconduct:
In compliance with the
CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter College reaffirms the prohibition of
any sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, and
gender-based harassment retaliation against students, employees, or visitors,
as well as certain intimate relationships. Students who have experienced any
form of sexual violence on or off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and
events) are entitled to the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter
College. Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to immediately
report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims Division
Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting the
College's Public Safety Office (212-772-4444).
All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also encouraged to contact
the College's Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose
(jtrose@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry
(colleen.barry@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services
through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123. CUNY
Policy on Sexual Misconduct Link: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Policy-on-Sexual-
Misconduct-12-1-14-with-links.pdf
SCHEDULE
******PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO
CHANGE******
ALL READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE SPECIFIED IN CLASS
AND ON THE CLASS BLOG EACH WEEK & ARE LABELED ON THE GOOGLE DRIVE
All readings for each class will be listed on the class blog
every week. It is the student’s responsibility to check the blog for required
readings and assignments. All readings can be found on Blackboard, online
(linked from the blog) or otherwise specified on the blog.
If you ever have questions or concerns about the schedule, due
dates, changes or anything else please ask me after class or e-mail me:
dbc289@gmail.com
Students are required to read the appropriate readings for each
class, complete all assignments on time and post 2 links to twitter each
week.
Week 1: Monday 8/27 What is Media? Culture? Gender
roles? Introduction and discussion.
Monday 9/3 Labor day NO CLASS
Week 2: Wednesday 9/5 Classes follow Monday Schedule. Ways
of viewing--the gaze Readings Due. Discussion session. Post
1 Due on blog
Monday 9/10 NO CLASS
Week 3: Monday 9/17 Signifying Gender:
Femininity/Masculinity Discussion. Readings Due.
Week 4: Monday 9/24 Signifying Gender:
Femininity/Masculinity Discussion. Readings Due.
Post 2 Due
Week 5: Monday 10/1 Performing Gender Discussion.
Readings Due. Group 1 presents
Monday 10/8 NO CLASS
Week 6: Monday 10/15 Advertising and Ownership Discussion.
Readings Due.
Post 3 Due Group 2 presents
Week 7: Monday 10/22 Body Image Discussion.
Readings Due.
Week 8: Monday 10/29 Politics of Sex Discussion.
Readings Due.
Final project proposals
(~1 pages due - printed/handed in and posted to the blog.)
Week 9: Monday 11/5 Stories: Power, Agency,
Representation. Discussion. Readings Due.
Post 4 Due Group 3
presents
Week 10: Monday 11/12 Stories: Power, Agency, Representation.
Movies, Independent Film, TV, Literature. Discussion. Readings
Due.
Week 11: Monday 11/19 Alternative Media: New Platforms Discussion.
Readings Due.
Update of Project
Proposal and Draft Bibliography due. Group 4 presents
Week 12: Monday 12/3 Media Activism, Art/New
Media Discussion.
Post 5 Due
Week 13: Monday 12/10 Presentation of Final Projects.
Week 14: Monday 12/17 Presentation of Final Projects.
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:
*Weekly group presentations:
Present the work of a media artist, activist or leader who has
used media to further address women’s issues, the lives of women and/or global
awareness of women’s rights. The subject of this presentation does not need to
identify as a woman, but I encourage you to focus on self-identified women and
non-binary individuals. A small group of students will present each week.
Presentations should be organized, clear and engaging and should include a
visual component (poster, powerpoint, performance, etc.) in addition to a
well prepared verbal presentation. Interaction with the class is highly
encouraged. The presentations should be 7-10 minutes with a 10 minute
discussion to follow. Discussions are facilitated by the presentation group.
The topics should be relevant to the class work and should spur discussion
within the classroom. Presenters must must post a summary of the presentation
to the blog BEFORE the presentation is given. Every student will
present once throughout the semester.
*Posts 1-5.
Students must develop well-edited and researched responses to
readings and discussions in class. Each post will be specific to the topics
covered in class at that time and will be explained during class. Students are
responsible to write and edit these posts as well as illustrate them and
successfully post them to the blog for discussion and critique in class. Post
will be graded based on the following:
- Grammar, editing, and formatting
- Inclusion of embedded links,
photos, and photo captions
- Integration and citation of class
readings
- Conveying an understanding major
points of class readings and discussions
*Final Project –
Creating Your Own Media: A Cultural Intervention
Based on the discussions, readings and projects presented in
class and on the blog, please create a short piece of media which focuses on a
social or political issue to specifically address the role of media,
technology, audience, gender, owners and media makers. Your project should
address how media affects the lives of women and/or how self-identified women
can be instrumental in solving or raising awareness. Your project must be
published and somehow distributed to your audience.
Ultimately your project should:
1.
Be publicly visible and
accessible by an audience.
2.
Provide clear criticism
of a specific media narrative or aspect of popular culture.
3.
Encourage its audience to
shift their perspective and take social action.
These must also be published to the class blog and presented in
class. The assignment can take many forms:
- Essay with embedded images.
- Video- music, documentary,
performance.
- Researched article or paper
written in op-ed style
- Extensive slideshow with captions
or narration (think NYTimes)
- Magazine/Zine
- Interactive Web Project/Site
*You must create a post on the blog for your final project. This
will include a link to your project, a summary and explanation, images and or
videos. You will present using/from your post - this will be much easier. ALL
projects must be posted to the class blog and resource lists and summaries
printed and handed in to me. Projects in print such as: papers, zines etc must
be physically handed in to me. I have invited guests to attend our final
presentations.
+ + +
All film and media students need to be on the listserv FM-L to
receive important departmental notices. Just email
listserv@hunter.listserv.cuny.edu and leaving the subject line blank, write
SUBSCRIBE fm-l (that's an "L" not a 1) in the body of message and
you're set!
