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This course was taught in Spring '03.  The page will be updated the next time it is offered.

Susan E. Gallagher

Political Science Dept., UMASS Lowell

This course explores some of the ways in which ideas about gender inform American political culture.  By looking at gender-related images, ideas, and themes in movies, advertising, the news media, and other modes of cultural expression, we will examine how assumptions and attitudes about masculinity and femininity shape political discourse.

Grade Formula:

Class participation = 25%  Midterm = 25%  Final paper/presentation = 50%

Attendance Policy: If you miss more than three classes without a valid written excuse, you will fail this course.  Please email me with an explanation if you miss more than two sessions.
 

First Assignment, due 2/2: 

  1. E-mail me at Susan_Gallagher@uml.edu.  Write your full name and the letters "GCP" in the subject heading.  You must email me before Monday, 2/2.  If you fail to include your full name, your email will be rejected as spam.

  2. Download the documents listed in the first section below, print them out, read them carefully, and bring them to class on Monday 2/2.

  3. Also, on 2/2, please bring in typed answers to the questions on the readings (see below).  Handwritten answers will not be accepted. Since the questions are designed to make sure that you've done the readings, your answers should be short and simple. Remember that all of your written work must be free of grammatical and spelling errors.
 

Introduction: Key Concepts in Gender Studies 1/28-2/9

Required Readings (print all except #2 and bring to class): 

  1. Introduction to a few major themes in feminist philosophy and history

  2. Distinguishing between "sex" and "gender," American Heritage Book of English Usage, Bartleby.com

  3. Bradwell v. Illinois (1873)

  4. "Woman as Other," Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex

  5. Betty Friedan, "The Problem that Has No Name," The Feminine Mystique (1963)

  6. Linda Kerber, "Separate Spheres, Female Worlds, Women's Place," Toward an Intellectual History of Women: Essays

  7. Katha Pollitt, "Feminism's Unfinished Business"

Click here for questions on these readings. Answers are due on 2/4

The Social Construction and Reconstruction of Gender(s) 2/9- 2/13

Required Readings (print 2-6 and bring to class; browse other links): 

  1. The Social Construction of Gender -- Allen Farber, art history course notes

  2. Reconnecting Sex & Gender: Two Sexes Are Not Enough by Anne Fausto-Sterling

  3. My Life as an Intersexual by Max Beck

  4. Media, Gender & Identity by David Gauntlett

  5. A Brief Introduction to Judith Butler from Theory.org

  6. Intersexual Person Sues Over Prison Treatment; She Or He? Debate Continues

  7. Gender Identity Disorder Reform

  8. Queer Science: An 'elite' cadre of scientists and journalists tries to turn back the clock on sex, gender and race
     

Click here for questions on these readings. Answers are due on 2/11

Gender and Sexual Orientation in American Culture 2/16 - 2/27

1. The Times of Harvey Milk  2/18 -2/20 (87 minutes)

2. Background on Harvey Milk

3. Mark Finch, "Gays and Lesbians in Cinema," GLBTQ

4. The Teena Brandon/Brandon Teena Story

5.  Follow-up story on the Brandon Teena case

6. The Celluloid Closet 2/25 - 2/27 (90 minutes)

7. Background on the Celluloid Closet

Assignment due on 2/20:  Bring in a news story from a reputable source about the problem of sexual identity in the United States.  Be ready to summarize the story for the class.

 

Gender in Media Reporting on Criminals & Victims

Part One  2/27 - 3/5

 

Assignment due on 3/1:  Be prepared to take a formal position on the issue of publishing rape victims' names on 3/1.  Type a brief statement of your position and bring it in on 3/1.  I will collect the statements at the end of class.

Gender in Media Reporting on Criminals & Victims

Part Two 3/5 - 3/22

Midterm Exam Reviewed 3/12  Due on 3/22

  1. Violent crime rates by gender of victim - U.S. Dept. of Justice

  2. Women Offenders: Dept of Justice Special Report

  3. Sexism and the death chamber

  4. Karla Faye Tucker: "A Question of Mercy"Tucker

  5. Sexual Violence Against Women and a Woman's Right to Self-Defense: The Case of Aileen Carol Wuornos

  6. Aileen Wuornos: The Myth and the Reality

  7. Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer

  8. 'Hunting Bambi': Violence Against Women for Fun and Profit?

Note:  Students will be assigned to summarize each of these readings in class.

Go to Midterm Exam.  Due on 3/24.

Gender in Advertising 3/22 -4/5

A Selection from Tom Tomorrow's Personal Collection

Assignment:  Go to the Media Center on South Campus (Library, second floor) during our regular class time on Monday, 3/29.  I have arranged for you to see Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women (30 minutes) in Room 329.

You can see a preview of a later installment of this famous documentary series at The Media Education Foundation web site.

Readings and Resources:

  1. Madison Avenue versus The Feminine Mystique: How the Advertising Industry Responded to the Onset of the Modern Women’s Movement

  2. Gender Representation in Tobacco and Alcohol Advertising

  3. "Torches of Freedom": Themes of Women's Liberation in American Cigarette Advertising

  4. Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful -- by Gerald Grow

  5. Gender advertisements in magazines aimed at African Americans: a comparison to their occurrence in magazines aimed at Caucasians

  6. It's Splitsville for Barbie & Ken:  The Latest from CNN

  7. Behind the Barbie and Ken Breakup: Analysis from Business Week

 

**Reading Questions - Bring typed answers to class on 4/2**

Suggested readings and resources for student presentations

Here's how this process will work:

Browse through the links below to choose a topic for your final presentation.  A one-paragraph typed summary of the information and materials that you plan to use in your presentation is due on Wednesday, April 14.  If you would prefer to use readings and resources that are not included here, you must email me a link to these materials by Tuesday, April 13.

On the day of your presentation, you must submit a two-page summary of the points covered in your talk.  Alternatively, you may create a web page on your presentation in lieu of the summary if you already possess sufficient expertise to complete this task.  If you choose this route, you must make a link to your web page available before you make your presentation.
 

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