GENDERED RELATIONSHIP MYTHS IN THE MEDIA (INQ 100 - Section 5042) Fall 2007, T/Th 10:30am-12:10pm, Olsen 139  (concurrent registration in IWC 100, Section 5125, taught by Tony Ocana)  Dr. Aileen Buslig  Olin 326, (218) 299-4236, buslig@cord.edu  http://www.cord.edu/faculty/buslig  Office Hours:  M 12-1pm; T 4:30-6pm; W 5-7pm; Th 12:30-2pm;  and by appt.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  In this class, we will delve into a new area of research that has emerged at the cross-section between interpersonal and mass media communication which explores how the media have influenced the way we think about women and men in personal relationships. What we expect from our relational partners may be shaped by the pervasive messages we unwittingly absorb from the media, often to the detriment of developing healthy communication behaviors and expectations. During the semester we will explore and critically analyze several of the common myths that are perpetuated in various media forms (e.g., television, movies, music, newspapers). We will also help develop and conduct our own study of one or more of the gendered relationship myths commonly found in society.  REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS: Galician, M-L. (2004). Sex, love, and romance in the mass media: Analysis and criticism of unrealistic portrayals and their influence. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Additional readings may be assigned as deemed necessary to aid in your understanding of course topics.

CRITICAL INQUIRY:  One of the primary purposes of all the inquiry seminars is the development of critical thinking skills.  In the context of this course, critical inquiry involves gathering, exploring, and evaluating information, ideas, and assumptions in order to produce clear and reasoned analysis, understanding, and wisdom.  Reflecting the "Goals for Liberal Learning," and aspects of critical thinking appropriate to the course, the inquiry seminars aim to enable you to:

• Read, observe, and listen carefully
• Write and speak effectively and persuasively
• Construct, test, and articulate sound arguments
• Apply an effective, efficient, and ethical research methodology
• Submit beliefs, convictions, and perspectives (including your own) to challenge, and
• Understand the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of the course topic

WEB-BASED MATERIALS:  It's always a good idea to regularly check my web page for class updates.  You will find links to study guides, instructions for completing assignments, and other helpful information, on this page.  You ARE responsible for assignments and materials posted there.  No changes will be posted that require you to perform additional readings or assignments within 24 hours of the class meeting.

ATTENDANCE, ACTIVITIES, AND PARTICIPATION:  Throughout the course, you will earn a small percentage of points toward your final grade for your participation in class activities. Some of these activities will require preparation outside of class, but many of them will simply require your active engagement in class. Therefore, your attendance and participation in class is important. In-class activities cannot normally be made up-if you must miss class for a school-sponsored event, it is your responsibility to inform me beforehand, in writing, and to follow-up after you return in order to make-up any missed assignments. Missing class due to illness must be verified by a note from the health center or other health facility saying you were not able to be in class in order to avoid loss of participation or assignment points.  For absences due to a reasonable excuse (as determined by my discretion), you must contact me before the start of class that day to receive consideration for partial (reduced) credit for due assignments.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND PRESENTATION:  Four major assignments are planned for the semester--

• romantic myth reflection paper
• media myth outline and bibliography (includes a class presentation)
• media myth critical analysis paper
• group project: action advocacy plan (includes a class presentation)

For these papers, you will need to e-mail me a copy of your FINAL work (as well as submit a hard copy). All papers must conform to APA-style standards (see the class web page for links to helpful sites).

Please note that for the critical analysis paper, a rough draft of your critical analysis paper must be (1) brought to class on the workshop day, and (2) turned in with your final draft of the paper. Failure to bring this rough draft may negatively impact your grade.

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. Also, ALL graded assignments must be completed to pass this course!

IMPORTANT: Keep copies of all work you turn in. This is a protection to you and will allow you to keep working on the next assignment while I am grading the current work. DO NOT WAIT until you get your previous paper back to start working on the next paper!

EXAMINATIONS:  There will be three exams in this class covering material from the textbooks as well as from lectures and class activities. You are responsible for all material in the textbook and assigned readings, whether or not it is covered in class. Exams may contain a mix of multiple choice, matching, true-false, and short answer questions.  An optional final exam will also be offered, which can be used to substitute for one of the other exams (the top three exam grades will be used to calculate your final exam score for this class.)

Exams must be taken during the scheduled time period. Typically, only an instructor-approved excuse (e.g., school-sponsored events), received prior to the examination period, will be considered a valid reason for missing exams. If you come to me after missing a test and you haven't contacted me prior to the scheduled exam, you will not be allowed to make up the exam.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:  As you might expect, plagiarism and cheating in any form will NOT be tolerated. Work that is found to be plagiarized may result in a failing grade for that assignment or for the entire class, and will be turned over to the academic responsibility board for further action. Details about what constitutes plagiarism are found in the Concordia College handbook, "Academic Integrity at Concordia College." You are responsible for following the guidelines contained in the handbook even if they are not specifically discussed in class. If you have any question as to what constitutes plagiarism/cheating, ask me (or any of your instructors). Tests and papers submitted should contain the following statement from the Handbook on Academic Integrity:

"I affirm that I have adhered to the college's expectations for integrity in the completion of this [examination, paper, or assignment]."
_______________________________________________
Your Name

EVALUATION AND DUE DATES: Your final course grade will be based on–
 

Examination #1	15%	Sept 25 (Tues)
Examination #2	15	Oct 25 (Thur)
Examination #3	15	Nov 29 (Tues)
(Optional Final Examination	15)	Dec 13 (Thur, 11am-1pm)
Myth Reflection Paper	10	Sept 18 (Tues)
Media Myth Outline and Presentation	10	due as assigned
Media Myth Critical Analysis Paper	15	Nov 27 (Tues)  [or, due Nov 20 (Tues) if you do NOT attend the workshop with a rough draft]
Group Project: Action Advocacy Plan	10	Paper due: Dec 11 (Tues)  Presentations: Dec 6 (Thur) & 11 (Tues)
Activities and Participation	10	As assigned in class
TOTAL	100%

Standard grading cut-offs will be used for all exams and for the final grade, as follows:
 

	100-93%    A	92-90      A-
89-87      B+	86-83         B	82-80      B-
79-77      C+	76-73         C	72-70      C-
69-67      D+	66-63         D	62-60      D-
	59-             F

* Occasionally it becomes necessary to make changes to the class schedule.  If such occasions occur this semester, the changes will be announced in class.
** Papers due on the day of the workshop; revised papers due next class period if you attend this workshop with a completed rough draft.

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