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.

The Social Construction and Reconstruction of Gender(s)

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

Gender and Sexual Orientation in American Culture

1. The Times of Harvey Milk  (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

Gender in Media Reporting on Criminals & Victims

Gender in Media Reporting on Criminals & Victims, Part 2

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"

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.

Gender in Advertising

A Selection from Tom Tomorrow's Personal Collection

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

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.