CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture: A WWWeb Journal ISSN 1481-4374
CLCWeb Library of Research and Information
<http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/communication&gender.html> © Purdue University Press
introduction to communication and gender

department of communication studies, northeastern university, CMN 1232 communication and gender
instructor: steven totosy PhD (list of publications at <http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/totosycv.html>)
call anytime 781-729-1680 or e-mail <totosy@medienkomm.uni-halle.de>

1. course description and objectives
    1.1 this course is an introduction to the field and the study of communication and gender. the objective of the course is the exploration, observation, discussion, and understanding of gender and/in communication. starting from an introduction to comparative cultural studies as a basis for/of communication and gender where gender is understood as being based in cultural construction (gender) and biology/physiology (sex), special attention is paid to gender and aspects of gender in communication (media, society, and culture, in general terms). we will discuss aspects of gender in communication in the context of comparative cultural studies with special attention to such as "what is culture?", "identity and difference", "representations of gender", "gender communication in the family, in love, in marriage," etc. aspects of gender in communication are explored in various forms of media categories including print, television, film, advertisement, etc., and critical perspectives and analyses of representations of gender in communication. for a selected definitions for work in communication and media studies go to <http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/definitions(communicationstudies1).html>
    1.2 required text: judy giles and tim middleton, studying culture: a practical introduction (oxford: blackwell, 1999).
    1.3 evaluation: media log (10%); term paper 1 (25%); presentation (20%); term paper 2 (35%); participation (10%).
    1.3.1 the media log serves to exemplify in a preliminary way the course participant's observation of selected aspects of gender and communication. the manner of the observation may be "objective", that is, without value judgement(s) or subjective with value judgement(s). participants select a specific item in/of media and mass communication and submit a maximum one page list with brief comments about what has been observed. the media log is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged. the media log is due thursdays, no assignment is accepted after this time and date. for an example of a medialog go to <http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/medialog.html>.
    1.3.2 term paper 1 consists of an analysis of one or two specific items the participant selects from his/her media log prepared previously. the length of term paper 1 is three pages maximum (no secondary sources are required). term paper 1 is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged.
    1.3.3 the presentation consists of an oral delivery of a selected topic in five minutes followed by a question period of three minutes. each presentation is assigned to two participants in the course to formulate questions after the presentation. the topic of the presentation may be the material analysed in term paper 1 or another topic selected by the participant and discussed with the instructor. the schedule of presentations is organised by the instructor in consultation with the class and on specific dates agreed upon.
    1.3.4 term paper 2 consists of a research paper with a minimum of three items of secondary sources and in the length of 3000 words. the instructor provides participants with a basic list of topics; however, participants are free to select topics of their own choice; the topic of term paper 2 is discussed with the instructor prior to research and writing of the paper. the format of term paper 2 is of the mla: modern language association of america format of parenthetical sources and a works cited. term paper 2 is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged.
    1.3.5 participation: students are encouraged to participate actively in all discussions taking place in class and the mark assigned to participation reflects involvement in class discussion.
    1.3.6 discussion: class discussion occurs in groups assigned as well as in the form of open discussion.

note: plagiarism is a serious academic offense and is listed as a level II serious violation of the northeastern university code of conduct (consult the student handbook for details). if uncertain as to what constitutes plagiarism, please consult the instructor. students who disregard this warning do so at their own risk.

course plan

    week one: introduction and explanation of objectives, terms, terminologies, tasks, and assignments.
    week two: assignment(s): giles/middleton chapter 1 / lecture: introduction to comparative cultural studies
    week three: assignment(s): giles/middleton chapter 2 / lecture: communication and language / identity and gender: "an integrational approach to women and language" (cameron) and "the masculine mode" (peter schwenger). / discussion: examples of linguistic factors and elements in everyday communication on the levels of verbal communication and gender signals; examples of gender identity construction and formation; discussion of chapter 2 in giles/middleton
    week four: assignment(s): prepare subjective (personal) definitions of "sex" and "gender"; giles/middleton chapter 3 / lecture: definitions of "male," female," masculine," "feminine" (dictionaries, encyclopaedias, medical textbooks, psychology textbooks, etc.); differentiation between "sex" (biological) and "gender" (cultural) in communication / discussion: definitions of "male," female," masculine," "feminine"; the difference between "sex" and "gender"; forms of sexist language; male-male friendship; female-female friendship
    week five: assignment(s): prepare examples of communication situations as experienced personally (mini testimonials in/of every day life, family, working situations); giles/middleton chapter 4 / lecture: examples of communicating gender in traditional print media (literature, newspaper) and in new media (television, film, internet); in advertisement; examples to be presented: film clips / discussion: discussion of film clips
    week six: assignment(s): giles/middleton chapter 5 / lecture: family communication; representation of gender in film, television, and advertisement (examples to be presented (clips and descriptive) / discussion: examples from family communication; television of the sexes; film and the sexes
    week seven: assignment(s): examine a range of magazines, including store magazines and popular women's magazines and examine the ways in which food is being advertised; giles/middleton chapters 7, 8 (specifically 9.4) / lecture: differentiation between communication and gender in high culture and popular culture; homosexuality and communication and gender; gender communication in love, sex, and marriage; aspects of sexual harassment in various walks of life and situations; consumerism and communication and gender / discussion: prepare examples of what is acceptable/unacceptable to you in communication (widest possible definition of communication) with regard to gender in a situation of your choice.
    week eight; assignment(s): prepare examples of media coverage of the hill-thomas hearings (needs library and web work) / lecture:communication, media, and the hill-thomas hearings; talking about sex and self on television talk shows / discussion: the hill-thomas hearings; sex and self on television talk shows
    week nine: assignment(s): "a manifesto for gender responsibility and equality in every-day life": <http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/gendermanifesto.html> / lecture: feminisms today; effects of the sexual revolution on men; the men's movement / discussion: "a manifesto toward gender equality"
    week ten presentations and discussions
    week eleven presentations and discussions
    week twelve recapitulation and summary of material covered in the course

topics for term paper 1 and 2 and the presentation

term paper 1 consists of an analysis of one or two specific items the participant selects from his/her media log prepared previously. the length of term paper 1 is 1,500 words (no secondary sources are required). term paper 1 is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged.
the presentation consists of an oral delivery of a selected topic in five minutes followed by a question period of three minutes. each presentation is assigned to two participants in the course to formulate questions after the presentation. the topic of the presentation may be the material analysed in term paper 1 or another topic selected by the participant and discussed with the instructor. the schedule of presentations is organised by the instructor in consultation with the class and on specific dates agreed upon.
term paper 2 consists of a research paper with a minimum of three items of secondary sources and in the length of 3000 words. the instructor provides participants with a basic list of topics; however, participants are free to select topics of their own choice; the topic of term paper 2 is discussed with the instructor prior to research and writing of the paper. the format of term paper 2 is of the mla: modern language association of america format of parenthetical sources and a works cited. term paper 2 is submitted to the instructor preferably in printed form. e-mail submission is encouraged.

you are invited to write your papers (and prepare your presentation as described above) as follows: you first write term paper 1 in the length required; develop your presentation from a topic you dealt with in term paper 1; and write term paper 2 further developed on the same theme/topic and with the requirements as described above. it also acceptable to write on different topics for your term papers each.

1) develop any one or two items (two items max.) from your media log into a discussion of your initial response to the item selected: introduce your topic and then develop your observation/opinion of the topic chosen; 2) discuss elements of gender and communication with regard to every-day and colloquial speech: start with an introduction re your opinion about language and its use (what and how) with regard to gender, then provide specific examples (no more than three), and then discuss the implications and propose solutions; 3) discuss elements of gender and communication in a working-place situation: start your discussion with specific examples (no more than three) either experienced or from outside sources, e.g., newspaper, television and then discuss the implications and propose solutions; 4) discuss elements/factors of gender and communication in the class room (student-instructor interaction) and provide specific examples and close your discussion with pragmatic suggestions and solutions; 5) describe and discuss the situation you see in your present classes (incl. the gender and communication class at hand) re student-instructor interaction and provide specific examples, followed by suggestions as to what you would like to see changed incl. your proposal for solutions; 6) describe and discuss a situation of gender and communication in a relationship or in a situation of family life and show where and how communication or the lack of it occurred and what solutions you would propose; 7) select a known case of sexual harassment or a known case you consider as such (but not reported as such in the media): introduce your paper with your definition of sexual harassment, provide a definition of sexual harassment from other sources, present the known case briefly with focus on aspects of gender and communication, and discuss the situation as in your opinion re solutions you propose; 8) discuss points proposed in "a manifesto for gender responsibility and equality in every-day life": <http://clcwebjournal.lib.purdue.edu/library/gendermanifesto.html> and suggest changes in the framework proposed; 9) write your papers on a topic of your choice but not before discussing the topic with the instructor.