GEND 2018 - Gender, Sexuality and Media Representation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This course examines the complex and contradictory ways in which discourses of gender and sexuality feature in popular media and how they intersect with additional aspects of identity such as race and class. We will also explore ways in which artists and/or activists design cultural works that deliberately seek to challenge or subvert traditional gender and sexuality norms. As well as engaging with theoretical writings from feminism, masculinity studies, queer theory and cultural theories of representation, students will consider gendered expressions and ideas in action through analysing examples of media texts (these may include film, television, print media, art, music video, and social media).

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Course Details

Course Code	GEND 2018
Course	Gender, Sexuality and Media Representation
Coordinating Unit	Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
Incompatible	GSSA 2114/EX, GSSA 3102/EX, GEND 2018
Assessment	Short critical essay 25%, Group Presentation 25%, Final Essay 45%, Participation 5%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Pam Papadelos

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

	Introduce students to contemporary theories in gender studies and cultural studies
	Develop students’ specialised knowledge of popular culture and how it impacts on constructions of identity
	Advance social justice issues (gender, race, class) in the context of popular culture texts
	Build on students’ ability to engage critically with popular culture texts
	Develop students’ ability to compare and integrate different perspectives into coherent arguments in a written format
	Build on students’ library and research skills
	Develop students’ interpersonal, leadership and teamwork skills

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	2,3,4,5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	5,7
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	3
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	4,5,7

Learning Resources

Recommended Resources

Reading lists, web-links, library resources, essay writing guides, study guides, referencing, IT support and TURNITIN will be available.

Online Learning

The MyUni site contains some additional resources and materials. Each week after the lecture, the lecture slides and lecture recording are uploaded. Announcements and a discussion board are activated for student queries and the passing on of course information. Websites and some uploaded film/dvd material will complement the material in the reader. Articulate Storyline modules are avaialbe on MyUni. The materials will be released over the semester.

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures and screenings supported by tutorials in which examples are analysed, problems posed and solved.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

WORKLOAD	TOTAL HOURS
1x1 hour lecture per week	12 hours per semester
1x2 hour tutorial per week	24 hours per semester
6 hours reading per week	72 hours per semester

2 hours research per week	24 hours per semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week	24 hours per semester
	TOTAL = 156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

WEEK	LECTURE TOPIC
1	Introduction
2	Understanding and Theorising Gender & Sexuality
3	Understanding and Theorising Popular Culture
4	Reading Popular Culture through Feminism
5	Group Work
6	Music
7	Social Media and the Internet
8	Essay Writing
9	Magazines
10	Television
11	Conclusion

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

ASSESSMENT TASK	TASK TYPE	WEIGHTING	COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
800 essay	Summative	30%	1,2,5,6
Group presentation	Formative and Summative	20%	1-7
2000 essay	Summative	40%	1-6
Tutorial Participation	Formative and Summative	10%	11-5, 7

Assessment Detail

800 word essay: Students will be required to write a critical response to a set question using the readings from weeks 1-3. “Why is it important to think critically about the relationship between gender, sexuality and popular culture?” – 30% weighting.

Group Presentation: Students will be allocated a tutorial topic from Week 5 to Week 10 to present (in small groups) in the tutorial – 20% weighting.

2000 word essay: Students will be required to write a research essay chosen from topics to be circulated in week 6 - 40% weighting.

Tutorial Participation: Students engage in interaction in class activities and the cooperative sharing of materials and information - 10% weighting.

Submission

All assignments will be submitted through MyUni

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator