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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS/GDR 364"
COURSE NAME: "Feminist Media Studies"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Miriam Tola
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: COM 220 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce students to feminist media studies as a critical approach to examine enduring and emerging trends in media production and consumption, and to envisioning action for change. In this course we will privilege an intersectional and transnational feminist perspective by considering how media forms, industries, and practices are shaped by interconnected inequalities of gender, race, class and sexuality in a global context. Students will become familiar with key concepts and debates in feminist media studies. They will learn how to use them in the analysis of a variety of media texts and technologies as well as in their own experience as media users and makers.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course will introduce students to the critical perspectives and practices of feminist media studies. It will begin by considering the development of the field in relation to feminist movements and exploring intersectional and transnational feminist approaches to media studies. Next, it will address key concepts and new concerns animating the field, including postfeminism, popular feminism, misogynoir, data feminism and feminist challenges to AI. Throughout the semester we will explore the potential and limits of feminist media pratices challenging existing power relations within media cultures as well as engage in the creation of feminist media objects.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

•      Understand the history of feminist media studies as an evolving research field.

•      Identify and discuss key concepts and frameworks for studying media from an intersectional and transnational feminist perspective.

•      Use key concepts from feminist media studies for the analysis of media texts.

•      Experiment with the creation of feminist media.

•      Develop written and verbal skills for advanced undergraduate study.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Feminist Media StudiesAlison HarveyPolity9781509524471     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Participation 15%
Course Journal 20%
Midterm Exam 25%
Final Project  30%
Final Project Presentation 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

More than three unexcused absences will impact your final evaluation resulting in the loss of a letter grade.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1: Introduction to Feminist Media Studies

Week 2: Feminisms and Transfeminisms: A Primer

Week 3: Gendered Media Work in the Culture Industries

Week 4: The Male Gaze and Its Discontents

Week 5: Intersectional Feminist Media Studies

Week 6: Transnational Feminist Media Studies

Week 7: Review and Midterm  

Week 8: Postfeminism

Week 9: Popular Feminism (and Popular Misogyny)

Week 10:  Networked Misogyny

Week 11: Data Feminism

Week 12: Feminist AI?

Week 13: Transfeminist Media Making

Week 14: Review