Women and Media Fall 2014
MEDIA
384.00
Saturdays
2:10 – 5:00pm
Department
of Film and Media - Hunter College
Professor
Doris Caçoilo :: dcacoilo @
hunter.cuny.edu
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 women in media as
well as researching the work of 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 Blackboard. The full reading schedule will be
distributed on the blog. Readings are due each week. All readings are REQUIRED unless otherwise stated.
CLASS
PARTICIPATION For each reading you must prepare two
questions and two quotes or passages from the readings for class discussion.
Several students will be called on in each discussion and you must have these
prepared for each reading.
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.
TWITTER You must create a twitter account
(if you do not have one already) we will share links and comments with each
other using the class hashtag: #womenmedia
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
is required. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class, and will be
considered when determining the final course grade.
+++More than three (3) absences
will result in an 'F' (failure) for the class+++ No exceptions. This is standard
policy across digital media courses. Class begins on time, so you must be
punctual. Lateness, leaving early or leaving class unexcused for an extended
period of time will also be recorded. Two of these instances will count as one
absence.
You
are required to make up any and all work that is missed if you are absent.
Notify the professor if you will be absent or e-mail asap. As work will not be
accepted late, please contact the professor BEFORE the assignment is due or
hand in work on time. All assignments must be finished and handed in on time to
receive a passing grade for 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.
+
+ +
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!
SCHEDULE
******PLEASE
NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE******
ALL READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE
SPECIFIED IN CLASS AND ON THE BLOG
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: dcacoilo@hunter.cuny.edu
Students
are required to read all the assigned readings for each class, complete all
assignments on time and post 2 links to twitter each week.
Week
1: Saturday 8/30 What is Media? Culture?
Gender roles? Introduction and discussion.
Week
2: Saturday 9/6 NO CLASS
Week
3: Saturday 9/13 Ways of viewing--the
gaze Discussion. Readings Due. Discussion session. Post 1 Due on the blog #passesbechdeltest on twitter
Week
4: Saturday 9/20 Signifying Gender:
Femininity Discussion. Readings Due.
Week
5: Saturday 9/27 Signifying Gender:
Masculinity Discussion. Readings Due. Post
2 Due
Week
6: Saturday 10/4 NO CLASS
Week
7: Saturday 10/11 Gender and Advertising
Discussion. Readings Due.
Final project topics due.
Week
8: Saturday 10/18 Body Image Discussion.
Readings Due. Post 3 Due
Week
9: Saturday 10/25 News Media and
Ownership Discussion. Readings Due.
Final project proposals
due.
Week
10: Saturday 11/1 Alternative Media
-- response, identity and roles. Discussion. Readings Due.
Week
11: Saturday 11/8 Women and Movies Discussion.
Readings Due. Post 4 Due
Week
12: Saturday 11/15 Independent,
Documentary Film Discussion. Readings Due. (Draft) Bibliography due.
Week
13: Saturday 11/22 Media Activism, Art/New
Media Discussion. Readings Due.
Week
14: Saturday 11/29 NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
Week
15: Saturday 12/6 Art/New Media Discussion.
Presentation of Final Projects in progress. Post 5 Due
FINAL
Week
16: Saturday 12/13 Presentation of Final
Projects/papers + bibliography/resource lists due. – Group Critique
Week
17: Saturday 12/20 Presentation of Final Projects/papers + bibliography/resource lists due. – Group Critique
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. A small group of students will present each week. Presentations should
be organized, clear and engaging and should include a visual component 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 be 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.
*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 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
publically 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.
-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.
