About the Course

Section: 6798
Meetings: Tu/Th 1:15-2:35 pm
Location: Humanities 128

Course Description:
Women's bodies are at once everywhere and out of sight: fueling global economies through labor and consumerism and shaping ideologies of dominance as displayed on billboards, in magazine ads, on movie screens, in music videos, in the art gallery, or on the Internet. Moreover, their bodies take on different meanings when race is taken into context. This course will subsequently explore how intersections of race, gender, class, nationality, sexuality, age, and (dis)ability shape representations in mass media and popular culture. We will also develop a global feminist media analysis, leading us to consider possible means of creative resistance against sexual objectification and societal domination.

Departmental Goals and Learning Objectives

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes:

This course will parallel departmental goals and objectives in that students will:
1. dismantle the intersecting ideologies of racism, sexism, heterosexism, imperialism, ableism, etc.
2. conceptualize feminist social justice beyond gender equity and towards community and human dignity.
3. fully participate in the teaching process as active learners, peer educators, and public scholars.
4. apply scholarship in the classroom to activism beyond these walls.

Expectations:

• Discipline to complete course requirements, Desire to learn more, and Delight in the learning process. (3 Ds = guaranteed A!!)
• Compassion, respect for others, and tolerance for other points of view (will facilitate the 3 Ds for this course).
• Comfort and appreciation for learning through technology. Welcome to the 21 st century!

Format and Grading Policies:

• This course will be structured primarily around discussions and occasional lectures.
• Please come to class with reading materials; you are expected to have read them prior to the class session, so be prepared to discuss them or to be quizzed on them.
• Films and videos will be screened on the dates listed in the schedule; you have the option of viewing these ahead of time (at the library, through video store, or on webct) but it is not required. We will discuss films/videos after viewing them in class.
• Due to the contents of this course, sensitivity and respect for all are a must. If you engage in disruptive behavior (i.e., delivering insults, using vulgar expressions, doing work or having conversations not related to this class, not turning off cell phones, beepers and pagers, walking out in a way that disrupts class, arriving late, or leaving early without first consulting me when this is unavoidable), then 3 such incidences = 1 unexcused absence. (Please see Attendance Policy)
• Whenever you have concerns over a grade assigned, please contact me at least 24 hours after receipt of your grade. You must also submit a typed letter addressed to me and delivered in person (NOT over email) if you wish to challenge a grade and state your case. Please only send emails to schedule an appointment, not to discuss concerns with the course.
• Late assignments will result in 5 points deducted from your grade for each day late; no extensions will be granted with the exception of documented emergencies. In addition, plagiarism is a violation of university policy; any errors in citations and use of work that is not your own will result in a failing grade for assignments.