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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CMS/GDR 364"
COURSE NAME: "Feminist Media Studies"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Miriam Tola
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: COM 220 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
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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.
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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 post-feminism, popular feminism, misogynoir and feminist challenges to AI. Throughout the semester we will explore the potential and limits of feminist media practices in challenging existing power relations within media cultures as well as engage in the analysis and creation of feminist media objects. Please note: all readings and other assigned materials should be completed before class unless otherwise noted in the schedule.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Trace foundational milestones of feminist media studies as an evolving field of research.
Identify and critically engage with key concepts and frameworks for analyzing media from intersectional and transnational feminist perspectives.
Apply feminist media studies concepts to the analysis of various media texts.
Experiment with creating feminist media through practical projects.
Demonstrate advanced written and verbal communication skills suitable for undergraduate academic work.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Feminist Media Studies | Alison Harvey | Polity | 978-1-5095-2447-1 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Participantion | | 15 |
| Midterm Exam: Open Ended Questions | | 30 |
| Collective Media Project: Making Zines | | 20 |
| Final Project: Media Criticism | written essay or video-essay | 30 |
| Final Project: Presentation | | 5 |
-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:
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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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*Please be aware that the instructor may modify this schedule as needed
Week 1: Introduction to Feminist Media Studies
Week 2: Feminisms and Transfeminisms: A Primer
Week 3: The (White) Male Gaze
Week 4: Postfeminism
Week 5: Popular Feminism and Popular Misogyny
Week 6: Transnational / Decolonial Feminist Media Studies
Week 7: Gendered Media Work in the Culture Industries
Week 8: Midterm Exam
Week 9: Digital Feminisms
Week 10: Anti-Feminism in the Media
Week 11: Data Feminism: Counting Feminicides
Week 12: Feminist AI?
Week 13: Final Project Workshop
Week 14: Transfeminist Media Making
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