COM 380 - Gender & Communication

SPECIAL TOPICS: GENDER AND COMMUNICATION (COM 380 - Section 9435) Dr. Aileen Buslig  Olin 325, (218) 299-4236, buslig@cord.edu http://www.cord.edu/faculty/buslig  Office Hours:  M 1-2:30pm; T 4:30-6pm; W 11am-1pm; Th 1-2:30pm; and by appt.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Designed as an introductory course, Com 316 focuses on interactive relationships between gender and communication in contemporary American society. This implies three priorities for our class.  First, we'll explore multiple ways communication in families, schools, media, and society in general create and perpetuate gender roles.  Second, we'll consider how we enact socially created gender differences in public and private settings and how this affects success, satisfaction, and self-esteem.  Third, and perhaps most important, we'll connect theory and research to our personal lives.  Your experiences, insights, questions, and ideas are a key part of this course.  Throughout the term we'll consider not only what is in terms of gender roles, but what also might be and how we, as change agents, may act to improve our individual and collective lives.  TEXTBOOK: Wood, J. T. (2003). Gendered lives: Communication, gender, and culture (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.

CLASS FORMAT: Class meetings will contain a mix of lecture, discussion, and activities.  You should come to class prepared to thoughtfully discuss and analyze the assigned readings and concepts presented in the lectures.  However, this course may be different than some of your other classes.  The nature of the material presented in this course invites critical reflection and the sharing of insights and perspectives on personal and potentially controversial topics.  Therefore, a vitally important responsibility involves a willingness to be open to and consider the thoughts and ideas of others in the classroom.  If there are twenty-five of us in the course, then there will be at least twenty-five different perspectives.  No one experience or viewpoint is more valuable than any other.  You may not agree with the views expressed by others in the course, but we must all agree to respect each individual's right to have and share their own experiences.

ACTIVITIES AND PARTICIPATION: Throughout the semester, several activities will be conducted in class.  You will earn a small number of points toward your final grade simply by participating in the activities.  However, your participation is also important for you to get the most out of this class, as many of the activities are designed to help you better understand course concepts and assignments.  You should also note that test questions may also be based on some of the activities that take place in class.  Therefore, your attendance and participation in class is important.

CLASS BUSINESS: Each class period, the first 10-15 minutes of class will be used for discussion of some of the many ways gender issues surface in the world in which we live. As a semester-long course, there is never enough time to include all of the interesting topics that arise from studying gender and communication.  "Class business" will allow us to consider more of the ways gender issues pop up in our lives and experiences.  As the course progresses, we will all be more aware of the power of gender and the prevalence of gender stereotypes.  Readings, television programs, advertisements, and our interactions with others all provide fertile ground for material for "class business."  Please be willing to bring in examples for discussion and also be ready to share your perspectives on the issues raised.  Finally, "class business" is considered fair game for test questions–the ways we notice gender issues in daily life are at least as important as other material from the readings, lectures, and class discussions.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND PRESENTATION :  A brief description of the formal assignments for this class are given below.  More details about how each assignment is to be completed will be discussed in class.
 

• GROUP PROJECT: In groups of 4-5 members, you will complete a content analysis of some aspect of gender representation in the media.  For this content analysis, you may either replicate a study that has been done previously, or propose a study of your own design.  All projects must be approved by me, so planning for the study should start early in the semester.  The completed project will include a 7-10 page written report, and an oral report of your findings near midsemester (October 15), which should be accompanied by a handout for all class members.
• "DEBATING THE ISSUES": Twice during the semester, we will devote a class period to "debating the issues."  Based on topics–one or a few–chosen by the class as a whole, you will come ready to talk and discuss your point of view.  In preparation for each of these days, you will be required to locate and read at least one background article, and turn in a brief summary (one-page) of your position.  Debate days are set for October 29 and December 3.
• INDIVIDUALIZED PROJECT: Problems and issues involving gender affect our lives almost every day.  For the final project of the semester, I want you to decide what is an interesting and important gender issue to study.  It could be a problem that has bothered you in the past, or simply something that you would like to learn more about during the semester.  Although you must get approval for this topic and your method of approach, do not feel limited to the topics covered in class or the textbook.  Creativity is encouraged, although all projects will require, minimally, the following: (1) a written paper, complete with outside research documented on a reference page, and (2) a class presentation at the end of the semester.  You may complete this project with one or more classmates, as long as the project complexity and size adequately reflects the number of members in your group.  Presentations of the final projects will take place on December 10.

EXAMINATIONS: There will be three exams in this class covering material from the textbook as well as from lectures and activities. You are responsible for all material in the textbook, whether or not it is covered in class.  Exams may contain a mix of multiple choice, matching, true-false and short-answer questions.  You are required only to take the first two exams–a third, cumulative exam during finals week is optional, but can be used to substitute for a low score on one of the other exams.  Exams must be taken during the scheduled time period.  Only an instructor-approved excuse, received prior to the examination period, will be considered a valid reason for missing exams.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON DUE DATES AND PLAGIARISM: Except under rare circumstances, no work will be accepted after the time and date it is due without an instructor-approved excuse received before the due date.  Late work is subject to point deductions for every day an assignment is late.  As you might expect, plagiarism and cheating in any form will NOT be tolerated.  If you have any question as to what constitutes plagiarism/cheating, ask your instructor.

EVALUATION: Your final course grade will be based on–
 

Examination #1	20%
Examination #2	20
Optional Examination #3	20
Group Project	20
Debate #1	5
Debate #2	5
Individualized Project	20
Activities and Participation	10
TOTAL	100%

* Occasionally it becomes necessary to make changes to the class schedule.  If such occasions occur this semester, the changes will be announced in class.
 

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This page is maintained by Aileen Buslig, buslig@cord.edu
Updated 10/31/02