Sections offered SPRING 2024:
#13715 |
JENNIFER MAHER |
TuTh 11:30am-12:45pm (GNDR-G 225) Tu 1:50-2:40pm (HON-H 299) |
MY 130 LH 328 |
***PLEASE NOTE: HON-BM 299 (4 cr) is a placeholder course number. It represents a combination of GNDR-G 225 (3 cr) and a 1-credit, HON-H 299 discussion section that meets separately. To earn honors credit for GNDR-G 225, you MUST enroll in HON-BM 299. At the end of the first week of classes, HON-BM 299 will dissolve, and you will automatically be placed on the rosters for GNDR-G 225 (7518) and HON-H 299 (13716), and you will receive a grade for each of these courses.***
Course description for GNDR-G 225:
This class examines the historical “making” of masculinity and femininity within (mostly American) popular culture. Through a variety of theoretical and historical perspectives, we will explore representations of gender and sexuality in film, television, and print media in order to better understand what media production and reception can tell us about cultural constructions of gender and sexuality. You will gain an understanding of pivotal theoretical approaches to popular culture across genres and though much of what you read will be from the recent past (1970s- early twenty-first century) I feel sure that you will be able to make connections to more contemporary examples.
***Please be aware that you will be confronted with material with strong sexual content, and occasionally, violence.***
Required Texts and Materials:
1.) Maher, Jennifer, Understanding Gender and Sexuality in Popular Culture, Second Edition. You need to purchase a hard copy of this book.
- Harlequin Romance Novel of your own choosing: You may buy a new or used copy, or you may check one out of the public library. Harlequin is a romance publisher and you must read a novel from this press, no exceptions. You can access their website here: http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=227Links to an external site.
YOU MUST HAVE A HARD COPY OF THIS BOOK - Assorted articles on Canvas
Course description for HON-H 299:
I will ask you bring many of the theories and texts we read in the class up to date. We will watch additional films/videos to supplement your formal section of G225 and each of you will be part of a group presentation illustrating the weekly reading according to syllabus dates using an outside media clip less than five years old. You will be asked to illustrate and “teach” a weekly essay through a Power Point presentation that will be graded by your peers. These presentations will require you to:
- Identify the argument of the piece from the course and discuss its strengths and weaknesses.
- Select a specific scene or scenes from a media text that allow you to illustrate, contradict, or expand upon the author’s point.
- Lead the class through a discussion based on the question or questions you give connected to the reading,
- *****Please note, it is not required that you either like or agree with the essay you present on, only that you consider it fairly and present it to your peers in a way that does justice to both.******
- Follow the Guidelines set out for you EXPLICITLY under “PowerPoint Guide” under “Files.”
Your grades will be determined by class participation, graded in class writing assignments, and your in-class presentation (graded by your peers under my purview).