This course will examine the representation of race, gender, and sexual identity in the media, investigate what influences these representations, and consider their repercussions.  Using a combination of lectures, class exercises, assignments, discussion, and guest speakers, we will explore such questions as: 

• How are race, gender, and sexual identity socially constructed by the media?
• How are power and privilege related to media representation and stereotyping?
• How do the economics and working practices of media industries play a role in portrayals and coverage of groups, particularly racial minorities, women, gays and lesbians?
• What are the differences between how the commercial media and independent media depict racial minorities, women, gays and lesbians? 
• What effects might these images have, and what sense do audiences make of them?
• What are the needs and interests of minority communities, and are they being met by the mainstream media?
• Is change in the diversity of media images likely, and what can be done to promote change?

The first two-thirds of the course will focus on entertainment media and the final third will address news media.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Analyze images and representations of diverse groups in media texts.
• Discuss how media representation connects to issues of power and privilege.
• Explain the influence of media industries’ economic imperatives and working norms on representations of race, gender, and sexual orientation.
• Discuss the effects of media representation on audiences, and how audience members may interpret the meanings of media representations.
• Analyze depictions and coverage of people of color, gays and lesbians, women, and the dominant culture in entertainment and news media.
• Explain the goals and functions of the ethnic and community media.
• Develop ideas about how to improve entertainment and news media to better reflect the nation’s true diversity.

In class, we will engage with the ideas and issues of race and gender in the media through discussions, group exercises, research projects, and lectures.  Your active participation in the learning process is expected and valued.  Race and gender in the media is a stimulating topic area, filled with controversies that touch upon our personal values, beliefs, and issues of identity.  I encourage you to share your thoughts, concerns, and opinions in class—we will have a stimulating learning environment and a richer learning experience if we can discuss a wide range of perspectives.  At the same time, the issues we will address can be highly emotional ones and we won’t always agree with one another.  It is absolutely vital that everyone feels safe to air her or his ideas and opinions.  Please be sensitive and respectful to other viewpoints when making comments and contributing to discussion.

You will meet the course objectives by fulfilling the following requirements:

• Writing a 5-page analysis of minority representation in film.
• Demonstrating your understanding of the material through a midterm exam and final exam. They will both be short answer/essay exams. At least a week prior to the exam dates, I will distribute a list of potential exam questions. The questions that appear on the exams will comefrom those lists, as well as from the key questions about hte readings that appear in the "Reading and Class Schedule" section of this syllabus.
• Completing “mini-assignments” throughout the term. These short assignments are designed to get you thinking about key issues and provide opportunities to express your own views. Some will be done in-class, and others will be done using E-Post, an online disucssion board. There will be a total of 5 mini-assignments throughout the term. (Please note that they will not be announced in advance.) You may miss 1 mini-assignment without penalty.

Your leaning will be assessed by the following:

• Midterm (80 points)
• Film representation paper (100 points)
• Mini-assignments (4@5 points each, 20 points total
• Final exam (100 points)

Total Points = 300

Your final grade will be calculated on a straight scale using the following percentages (as per UW grading standards):
90-100% = A (3.5-4.0)
80-89% = B (2.5-3.4)
70-79% = C (1.5-2.4)
60-69% = D (0.7-1.4)
below 60% = F (0.0)

The readings are critical to your understanding of the material.  I have tried to select readings that will introduce you to important theoretical concepts and also provide concrete examples from the mass media. In some cases, the readings will provide valuable background for issues we will discuss further in class.  At other times, the readings will supplement what we discuss in class by addressing issues and concepts that we do not have time to cover in class sessions.  On the syllabus, I have also included some key concepts or questions to keep in mind as you do the readings.  Please complete the readings prior to coming to class and be prepared to discuss them.  Material from the readings should be incorporated into the midterm and final exam.

• Main text (at the UW Bookstore): Dines, Gail, & Humez, Jean M.  (2003).  Gender, Race, and Class in Media.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.  This is edited volume contains readings that vary in style and degree of difficulty—some are formal academic studies, some are reprinted articles and book chapters, and others are more personal essays. Some of the readings include jargon from the field of media studies—if you encounter an unfamiliar term, refer to the glossary at the back of the book.
• Readings packet, available at The Ave Copy Center, 4141 University Way NE, Suite 103.
• At least one ethnic/community press publication.  More information will be given about finding these publications.