COM 374/WS 374
Women and the Media in the United States
Dr. Katy Wiss
Office:  Berkshire 020
Mailbox:  Berkshire 120b (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
E-mail

Course Homepage

Telephone/Voice Mail:  837-8260


Office Hours:  M 9-10 a.m. WF 9-12 a.m.

Focus:  This course examines the ways in which the media as form of entertainment and as social institution shape our ideas about women and gender.  We will consider the images of women in a variety of media as well as their roles in various media institutions.  The course will assess the ways in which these images and roles shape women's experiences and are shaped by them.  We will cover the negative images and roles as ways in which people have tried to change them.

Required Texts:  It is your responsibility to acquire the textbooks and read them.  We will not have time in class to discuss all reading assignments.  Please ask during class or my office hours if you have questions about the readings.  If the bookstore is out of stock of the textbook, it is your responsibility to place an order with a bookstore employee.  Some readings may be handed out in class or placed on reserve.
 

Meyers, M. (Ed.).  (1999). Mediated women: Representations in popular culture.  Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
Kilbourne, J.  (1999).  Can't buy me love: How advertising changes the way we think and feel.  New York: Touchstone.
You may need to buy several newspapers or magazines as well or rent some videos.  Some readings will be handed out in class.

RequirementsYou must complete all of these assignments to pass the class.
 

20%
Scrapbook: collect and provide examples or counter examples of the ideas considered in class; write observations on media; respond to readings or discussions; collected twice during the semester.  Use a folder or small loose-leaf binder to gather your materials.
20%
Term Paper: on one particular aspect of women and media in the U.S. (8-10 pages).  Extended analysis of the role/images of women in a particular film, TV show, etc.; research on role of women behind the scenes in a particular industry; research on a form of media not covered in class.
50%
Take-Home Essay Exams:  one on each main topic covered (5-7 total); one to three questions each.  You will have approximately a week to prepare.
10%
Presentation:towards the end of the semester, each student will present their research paper to the class.

Attendance:  Your active attendance and participation in class is required.  If you miss class, for any reason, please get the notes or assignments from another student.  I will be happy to discuss the notes or assignments with you if you have questions.

Grading:  If you ever have any questions regarding what is expected of you or desire to discuss your work or a specific grade, please come see me during my office hours.  If you are experiencing trouble, please let me know well in advance of tests and written work.  You must earn your grades, but I have every confidence that you can and will do excellent work.  I will not grant any incompletes in this class.  Assignments turned in after the beginning of class on the day they are due will be lowered one letter grade for each day they are late.

Papers/Exams:  All papers must be typed with one-inch margins.  Your work must be clear, well edited and proofread.  Please staple your work before you come to class.  Do not submit papers or exams in any type of folder.  Papers are graded primarily on content, but this cannot be separated from clarity and manner of expression.

Plagiarism: The Guidelines for Student Rights and Responsibilities and Judicial Procedures (BR#2000-17) defines "academic misconduct" as "including all forms of cheating and plagiarism.  Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation including papers, projects and examinations; and presenting, as one's own, the ideas or words of another person or persons for academic evaluation without proper acknowledgment."  I do not tolerate plagiarism.  Plagiarism may result on failure of the class.  I also report plagiarizers to the Dean of Student Affairs for appropriate action, which, may include expulsion from the University.  You may no longer claim ignorance of the rules on plagiarism.  It is your duty as a student, scholar, and member of this community to be responsible for your own work.  If you have any questions about fair use—see your professor immediately.

Office Hours:  I set aside several hours each week to meet with students to discuss their academic progress and concerns about the class.  Please feel free to make an appointment, drop in or call during these hours.  It is the best time to get a hold of me.

Topics Covered:  Aside from the introduction, we will spend approximately two weeks on each topic.  Depending on class interest, we will cover them in the order listed.  Additional readings may be handed out in class or placed on reserve.  Some assignments may require you to watch a film or TV show or read a magazine or newspaper.
 
Topic
Reading Assignment
Introduction
Fracturing Women, Meyers, p. 3
Newspapers
New York Times Coverage of Anita Hill as Cypher, Steiner, p., 225
 
News, Feminism …, Byerly, p. 383
Magazines 
Messages to Women on Love and Marriage, Alexander, p. 25
 
Reader's Digest on Women, Anderson, p. 39
Advertising
Kilbourne:  Chapters 1-8, 10-13
 
Women in Television Advertising, Lin, p. 253
TV News
TBA
Television Entertainment 
Gender, Melrose Place, Rapping, p. 271
 
Who Talks Like That, Wilinsky, p. 305
 
More Power … Home Improvement, Dellinger-Pate & Aden, p. 153
Film
Film Noir, Reichert & Melcher, p. 271
Mammy goes to Las Vegas … African American Female Stereotypes, Gillespie, p. 81
 
Tales of Difference:  Representations of American Indian Women, Bird, p. 91
 
Who is the Puerto Rican Woman?, Géliga Vargas, p. 111
 
The Disney Myth, Henke & Umble, p. 321
 
Las Familias, Flores & Holing, p. 339
 
Mississippi Masala, Ram, p. 355
 
Waiting to Exhale, Carstarphen, p. 369
Music Industry
Madonna, Lea, p. 205
Sports
Rags to Riches … Women's Figure Skating, Fabos, p. 133