CP 470 / MCMA 552 Gender in Film and TV
Assignments and Grading
Undergraduate Class Assignments:
Blog Postings – Each student is required to post 7 blog/journal entries (approximately 1-2 pages) on the class site.The due dates for the blog posts are marked on the syllabus. All posts must be submitted on the appropriate discussion page on the course site prior to the start of class. In addition you encouraged to interact with and comment on the posts of your classmates. Each time you post, it should include TWO components (reading + media)
1) READING: comment on, analyze or offer a balanced critique of the reading for that week found online in the course syllabus. Here, you must demonstrate that you have done the reading and thought about it. You may choose to write on one article or more than one.
2) MEDIA: describe and analyze a media artifact(s) (film, television, magazines, newspapers, internet)
outside of class screenings. Comment on the ways gender is portrayed and constructed in/by them. Comment on whatever you find interesting, engaging, hopeful, etc. about gender relations in contemporary media culture.
The following is a list of potential/suggested questions and topics you may want to write about in your blog posts:
• Watch a film (in a theater or on video) or a television show and consider the ways
in which gender is constructed or gender relationships are portrayed. Do these
portrayals seem limiting? Or do they challenge or open up new possibilities for
experiencing/understanding gender?
• Go to a magazine stand and study the display of magazines. Which are for men?
Which are for women? How do race, class, sexuality come across, if at all? How
can you tell? Describe the display and the covers of the various magazines in as
much detail as possible.
• Watch one of the stations that shows primarily music videos (VH1, The Tube, BET, etc), until you see an all-female band. How does their video compare to the all-male bands? What type of program was it aired on? What did the VJ say about it?
• Alter one of the above suggestions with other media…use the web or the radio…
Impromptu Assignments – You will be given several randomly assigned tasks that will prompt you to rhetorically or creatively interact with topics discussed in class. These assignments are meant to be fun/creative and therefore are less formal in relation to the other assignments. You will not be graded on technical ability, but rather on how you approached the subject matter. Most importantly have fun.
Final Project – Each student will be required to complete a final project. You will have two options: you can either write a critical paper, 10-12 pages in length or create a media project that addresses issues raised in class.
Critical Paper: This is a research/analysis paper on a particular movie or television show. You should incorporate readings from class to illustrate and argue your thesis. You should also include outside sources, at least two books and one article to flesh out your argument (no websites – you actually have to go to the library). All resources should be proper cited using MLA or Chicago style footnotes.
Media Project: the length and scope you your media project will be determined by the subject you are choosing to grapple with. The format is up to you, but for the sake of time, you should work in a format that you are comfortable with and know well. Your work should incorporate readings from class as well as those you find outside of class. With your media project, you must turn in a 3 page written paper, outlining your theoretical approach to the subject you chose.
Class Presentations – you will each have to give a presentation on your final project. Presentations should be 10 minutes in length. You should outline the main thread of your argument or the theoretical intent of your media project.
Graduate Class Assignments:
Blog Postings – Each student is required to post WEEKLY blog/journal entries on the class site. All posts must be submitted prior to the start class on Thursdays. In addition you encouraged to interact with and comment on the posts of your classmates. (See above for further details)
Impromptu Assignments – You will be given several randomly assigned tasks that will prompts you to creatively interact with topics discussed in class. (See above for further details)
Lead Discussion – You will required to choose a day that you will prepare a short 30 minute lecture and lead discussion based on the readings for that day. These presentations should summarize and contextualize the readings for that week, bringing in additional material as needed. Prepare a visual aid to help students connect readings/concepts with visual examples. (your notes and ppt or what ever you use must be turned in to me after class.)
Final Project – Each student will be required to complete a final project. You will have two options: you can either write a critical paper, 15-20 pages in length or create a media project that addresses issues raised in class. (See above for further details)
Class Presentations – you will each have to give a presentation on your final project. Presentations should be 10 minutes in length.
Grading:
Late entries will be marked down 5 points for each day they are late. Entries submitted over 1 week late will receive an automatic “0”.
Grades for the Blog posts and Impromptu Assignments will be based on a 10 point scale (9.5-10 being the highest grade), assessing the completeness of your discussion and analysis and your comprehension and grappling of class readings/discussions/content.
You are responsible for the material covered in class and in the reading. You will be evaluated on the following:
1) the level of your engagement with the class materials (as evidenced in your written work and class participation)
2) your capacity to explain your ideas and analysis in articulate and well-written forms
3) your ability to creatively explore those theories and methodologies
All of your work will be graded on two primary evaluative scales:
1) how well it demonstrates an understanding of the theories and methodologies of the class
2) how well it articulates and structures its argument
Grades will be assigned as follows:
A outstanding, thoughtful and enthusiastic work
B+/B above average work, demonstrating good insight into assignment
B-/C+ needs improvement on ideas, argument and follow – through
C and below fulfilling the bare minimum and showing little understanding of the material