Lisa M. Cuklanz

Gender and Media CO 251
Professor Cuklanz
Office 523, 21 Campanella Way

Links

• Department of Communication Attendance Policy
• Department of Communication Policy on Academic Integrity

Textbooks

All textbooks including the reading packet are required reading and can be purchased at the Boston College bookstore.

Fiske, John. (1987). Television Culture. New York: Methuen.

Hollinger, Karen. (1998). In the Company of Women: Contemporary Female Friendship Films. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Packet of additional articles.

Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to the area of gender studies within the larger field of media studies. Its focus will be on representations of masculinity and femininity in mainstream film and television, across a range of genres within each medium. Genres examined will include situation comedy, crime and detective films, romantic comedy and buddy films. Throughout the course, focus will be on how the concepts of masculinity and femininity have been and are defined and altered within various texts, genres, audiences and media. The course will also examine television and film history in relation to gender, and how genres themselves have come to be gendered. As a medium-sized lecture class, the course will feature regular video clips to illustrate concepts and themes from reading and lecture, but discussion will not be emphasized. Attendance is required according to the official policy of the Department of Communication.

Assignments and Grading

The final grade will be based on attendance, a mid-term and final exam, and a group presentation, as follows:

Attendance/participation	10%
Mid-term exam	30%
Group presentation	25%
Final exam	35%

The course meets only once a week. Therefore, according to the official attendance policy of the Department of Communication, three missed classes results in automatic failure of the course. Absences for ANY reason are included in this total. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. Please read carefully the attached department policy on attendance.

Exams will consist mostly of questions in an objective format such as multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank. A few open-ended short answer and essay questions may be included. The final exam is cumulative but weighted toward material from the second half of the term.

Group presentations will be given throughout the course of the semester, according to a schedule distributed within the first two weeks of class. These presentations will cover specific current popular television programs and films.

Grades will be assigned on a standard A-F scale. Grades are computed according to university policy as follows:

A	4.00
A-	3.66
B+	3.33
B	3.00
B-	2.66
C	2.33
C+	2.00
C-	1.66
D+	1.33
D	1.00
D-	0.66
F	0

I will be happy to let you know your “grade so far” at any point in the course. The mid-term will cover all lecture, videotape, and reading material up to that point. Please check for handouts, notes, etc. if you miss class, and make every effort to attend class when videotaped material will be shown.

Ground Rules/Expectations

Deadlines: In order to keep this course running smoothly and in an attempt to treat everyone fairly, I will stick to strict deadlines. However, if you feel you have a legitimate reason for missing a deadline or due date, let me know ahead of time and we might be able to work something out. Otherwise, late work will lose 1/3 letter grade per day. Presentations cannot be made up unless we have made an agreement prior to the original due date. The mid-term will only be given once. If you are ill or are unable to attend class for some unexpected reason on that day, let me know as soon as possible, preferably before the beginning of class. All work is due at the beginning of the specified class period. Absence from class does not excuse you from the due date of any assignment or from the material covered on that day.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism, for the purposes of this course, is the undocumented use of someone else's ideas, thoughts or words. Even if you paraphrase someone else's work, if you do not indicate that the ideas are not your own, you are plagiarizing. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and will not be treated lightly in this course. Please do your own work. If you are under great pressure and feel you cannot meet a deadline, do not resort to plagiarism to "solve" the problem. See me. We can usually work out a way for you to do your own work and get credit that you deserve. Please read carefully the attached department policy on academic integrity.

Syllabus