Gender and Media will explore the effects of media images on the construction of identities, especially gender and how much of our sense of self is contrasted and compared to popular media images. Students will complete two sets of workshops. In “Media and Identity Development” we will explore the complex relationships among media images, cultural values, and development of identities and self-images and examine various psychological learning theories. Through weekly awareness exercises and workshops, students will deconstruct some habits which hinder them in becoming an authentic self. Students are required to take the risk of examining themselves and expressing their cumulative learning through their own creative and analytical work. In “Critical Media Production” we will learn basic digital video production skills (including camerawork, sound recording, directing and editing) and create short projects that will support the development of a critical relationship to the mainstream media.
Throughout the quarter we will be conducting a Mediawatch research project. Small teams will develop critical viewing and deconstruction methodologies in order to study how gender roles operate in a single media genre (these might include children’s cartoons, the soap opera, music video, video games, talk shows, etc.). Final presentations will reflect our deepened understanding of both gender constructions and the contemporary mass media environment. Students should expect to commit significant time to reading, writing and discussing academically challenging material throughout the program, including during production workshops.
SPRING QUARTER SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAYS 9-12 SEM.2 C1105
THURSDAYS 10-4, COM. 308 or COM. 320
FRIDAYS 10-4, SEM. 2 C1105 or COM. 308
Requirements for full credit
- Full participation in all class activities (this means no absences unless documented by a written excuse from a doctor).
- Timely attendance at program events (this means that no tardiness will be tolerated).
- Timely execution of all assigned projects.
- Successful completion of Mediawatch final project.
- Evaluation Conference, written self evaluation, and evaluation of faculty.
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Credit Distribution
4 - Critical Media
4 - Media and Identity Development
4 - Media Watch Project
4 - Gender Studies
BOOK LIST
Cantine, John, Howard, Susan, & Lewis, Brady. (1998). Shot by Shot: A practical guide to
filmmaking. (3rd ed.). Pittsburg: Pittsburg Filmmakers.
Carter, Cynthia & Steiner, Linda. (2004). (Eds.). Critical Readings: Media and Gender.
Maidenhead, England: Open University Press. Purchase on line at www.campusi.com
Gauntlett, David. (2002) Media, Gender and Identity: Introduction. NY: NY: Routledge.
Lorber, Judith. (2000). Gender and the Social Construction of Illness. Walnut
Creek, CA: Altamira Press.
Articles (available in the Evergreen Library)
DeWall, C. N., Altermatt, T. W., & Thompson, H. (2005). Understanding the structure of stereotypes of women: Virtue and agency as dimensions distinguishing female subgroups. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 29, 396-405.
Sanchez, D. T. & Crocker, J. (2005). How investment in gender ideals affects well-being: The role of external contingencies of self-worth. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 29 , 63-77.
Wilde, A. & Diekman, A. B. (2005). Cross-cultural similarities and differences in dynamic stereotypes: A comparison between Germany and the United States. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 29, 188-196.
and selected reprints on Links page.