Course Description: 

This course will examine how masculinity and femininity has been constructed in popular culture using newspapers, magazines, advertisements, films and novels. Careful attention will be paid to the intersections of gender, race and class. In addition to analyzing some outstanding texts in this field, students will have the opportunity to write an original essay on a topic of their choice.

Course Topic:

Course will make extensive use of the Women's Magazine Database, which is an incredible collection of women's magazines from the U.S. and Canada. You will read and discuss how other scholars have looked at women's magazines. Students will deeply explore a topic of their choice. There will be a strong focus on workshopping your papers and exchanging ideas with classmates. You will become a better researcher and writer and learn about the lives of women and people who identified as women.

Methods of Evaluation and Weights: 

• Particiption: 25%
• Paper #1: 15%
• Final Paper Proposal: 10%
• Final Paper: 50%

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will be able to analyze outstanding work in the history of of gender and culture in North America and will gain insight into the methodologies and theoretical underpinnings of the field.
2. Students will be able to present their ideas articulately and with confidence in both oral and written form.
3. Students will have undertaken an original research project. They will gain important skills in research management and organization. 
4. Students will have enhanced their ability to write clearly and accurately, abiding by the professional ethics of the field.

Texts and/or Resources Required:

All readings are available online.

*Please note: This is a preliminary web course description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.

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