Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 2230

Gender, Sexuality, and Race in Popular Culture

Spring 2013 | TTh 8:00-9:20 AM | 1045 McPherson Lab

Instructor Katelyn Hancock

Campus Mailbox 286 University Hall

Office 30 Dulles Hall

Hours Tuesday 10 AM-12 PM or By Appointment

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities | Students who have verification from the Office of Disability Services are responsible for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements. The Office of Disability Services (150 Pomerene Hall | 614 – 292 – 3307 | verifies the need for accommodations and assists in the development of accommodation strategies.

Course Description | 2230 explores how popular culture generates and informs our understandings of gender and sexuality and their intersections with race and class. We will study a variety of theories and methods used in contemporary feminist/cultural studies scholarship on popular culture, as well as examine a number of popular media texts.

This course is based on the premise that popular culture is never simply diversion or entertainment. Instead, “pop” culture provides us with the stories, images, and scripts that enable us to imagine and enact femininities, masculinities, and sexualities. These images and practices, in turn, are imbued with racial and class values. The norms generated and sustained by pop culture manifest in our constructions of ourselves—from the “looks” and lifestyles we aspire to emulate to the ways we understand sex, love, and romance. This course allows us to reflect critically on the images, practices, and narratives that perpetuate and/or disrupt these norms. The point, ultimately, is to enable you to do this thinking on your own.

Fulfillment of GEC Requirement and Course Objectives | 2230 fulfills the GEC requirement for Arts and Literature: Visual and Performing Arts. At the completion of the course, students should be able to

  • understand the basic concepts of major critical theories used in studies of popular culture,
  • apply these theories to a popular text,
  • critically analyze a popular text through close attention to formal elements (structure, imagery, etc.) and generic components,
  • and locate, through the above, the text’s treatment of gender, sexuality, and race.

Required Texts| All reading assignments are posted on Carmen. When applicable (and available), there will be links to media also posted on Carmen. In the event that a popular film is unavailable for free public streaming, you will be asked to purchase, rent, or otherwise arrange your own screening of it.

How to Succeed in This Course | In order to do well on quizzes and exams, you should:

  • Attend classregularly.
  • Do the readings and prepare for class by marking significant passages and main ideas in them.
  • Bring the assigned readings with you to class every day.
  • Take notes during class.
  • Ask questions. You are responsible for understanding the material. If a concept or assignment is unclear, speak up in class or make an appointment with me.

Course Requirements and Grade Breakdown

Participation (20%) |2230 is discussion-based and dialogue-intensive. You are expected to come to class with the appropriate materials, having read and viewed the assigned texts by the date indicated on the syllabus, and ready to participate meaningfully in small and large group discussions. While your presence in class is crucial, merely showing up is not sufficient to earn an ‘A.’ Your participation grade, as well as the quality of the course overall, depends on your willingnessto engage with each other on an intellectual level to interrogate complex ideas. Class discussions are meant to encourage critical thinking; together, we will be producing knowledge rather than merely consuming it. Multiple, even contrasting, viewpoints are crucial to an interesting, productive, and successful course experience. You are required to be an informed and active participant in all classroom and blog dialogues.

You are permitted two “free” absences without penalty. Each additional absence will result in a four-point deduction from your participation grade, except in sufficiently documented extenuating circumstances. Missing more than 10 classes will result in an automatic ‘E’ in the course. I will pass around an attendance sheet at the beginning of each class meeting. It is your responsibility to sign in and, in the event of an absence, to speak to a classmate about what you missed.

Feminist Cultural Critique (20%) | Choose one pop culture text (i.e., film, TV episode, song/music video, Internet meme, advertisement, etc.) and perform a feminist media analysis. That is, analyze the text, and make an argument about what kind of work the text performs in terms of norms, values, and ideas about gender, race, sexuality, and/or class. You must integrate at least two course readings to support your analysis.

Your critique should be 800-1,300 words(3-5 double-spaced pages), in 12 pt. Times New Roman font, and with 1” margins all around. It should include a concise summary of the pop culture text, an argumentative thesis statement, proper in-text citations, and a Works Cited page. Refer to the writing and documentation resources listed under ‘Academic Misconduct’ for assistance. Submit to the Carmen Dropbox folder by Friday, 2/28, at midnight.

Exams (20%) |Two exams, a midterm and final, will be administered during the term. All course materials, including readings, media, lectures, handouts, etc., are fair game. Make-up exams will be given only in the event of sufficiently documented emergencies or with prior permission from the instructor.

Midterm (10%) | The midterm will cover material pertinent to the first half of the course and will likely consist of short answer and multiple choice questions. The exam will take place during a regular class period.

Final (10%) |The final will cover material specific to the second half of the course. The format is TBD.

Class Blog (15%) | You will be asked to regularly participate in a collaborative blog on today’s pop cultural landscape. This component of the course is meant to provide you a space to draw connections between course ideas and your own interests and observations. Most importantly, it is intended to get you in the habit of looking at dominant culture through a critical lens and talking back to it. You are expected to create your own posts, as well as thoughtfully contribute your ideas to others’. More specific guidelines will be provided on a separate handout. You will need to set up a Google account ASAP if you don’t already have one.

Leadership of Class Discussion (10%) | Along with four to five other classmates, you will assume leadership of one class discussion. Your group will produce six questions to facilitate our discussion of the assigned topic and/or reading(s). These questions should be submitted to me via e-mail three days in advance so that I can give you feedback and make sure you’re hitting the main points. Your questions should be framed around the assigned reading(s) and/or media and should foster critical thinking about the main issues and ideas at hand. (Discussion should last about an hour.) You may incorporate other materials (i.e., brief media clips, images, etc.) as discussion aids, but please keep in mind that this is not a presentation. Your group’s responsibility is not to relay information but rather to facilitate a thought-provoking class dialogue.

Quizzes (10%) | Five pop quizzes will be administered throughout the semester. Quizzes will pertain to information in assigned readings and media and cannot be made up.The goal of these quizzes is twofold: to hold you accountable for completing the readings and to make sure that I am communicating the material clearly. Your lowest quiz score, including a zero due to an absence, will be dropped before final grades are averaged.

Meeting with Instructor (5%) | You are required to set up an appointment and meet with the instructor at least once prior to the midterm. This meeting is meant to be a quick check-in about your progress in the course and will take place in the instructor’s office (Dulles 30).

Extra Credit | Throughout the semester I will announce campus events, films, and guest speakers hosted by WGSS and other departments. Your attendance at these events can earn you extra credit points. To receive extra credit, you must (one) attend the event and (two) submit to the Carmen Dropbox folder a typed, double-spaced 1½-page summary of the event no later than one week afterwards. Each summary earns you one point to be added to your participationgrade at the end of the semester.

Grade Scale | 100-94% A | 93-90% A- | 89-87% B+ | 86-84% B | 83-80% B- | 79-77% C+ | 76-74% C | 73-70% C- | 69-67% D+ | 66-64% D | 63-60% D- | 59%-below E

House Rules

Academic Misconduct |You are expected to maintain complete academic integrity, and are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the departmental statement on plagiarism:

As defined by University Rule 3335-31-02, plagiarism is “the representation of another’s works or ideas as one’s own; it includes the unacknowledged word for word use and/or paraphrasing of another person’s work, and/or the inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person’s ideas.”

Plagiarism is one of the most serious offenses that can be committed in an academic community; as such, it is the obligation of this department and its instructors to report all cases of suspected plagiarism to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. After the report is filed, a hearing takes place and if the student is found guilty, the possible punishment ranges from failing the class to suspension or expulsion from the university.

Although the existence of the internet makes it relatively easy to plagiarize, it also makes it even easier for instructors to find evidence of plagiarism. It is obvious to most instructors when a student turns in work that is not his or her own, and plagiarism search engines make documenting the offense very simple.

Always cite your sources and ask questions beforehandif you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism.Refer to the following resources for instructions on how to properly document sources:

  • Purdue Online Writing Lab |http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/
  • Research and Documentation |/
  • OSU Writing Center || 614-688-4291

To preserve the integrity of OSU as an institution of higher learning, to maintain your own integrity, and to avoid jeopardizing your future, do not plagiarize.

Late Work | All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated on the syllabus. If an extenuating circumstance or emergency arises (ex. a death in the family or an illness with sufficient documentation from Student Health and/or a hospital) and you make pre-arrangements with me, I may agree to extend the deadline. If adequate documentation is not provided or if prior arrangements are not made, you will receive a five-point deduction for each day the assignment is late.

Technology | The use of technology during class, including cell phones, laptops, iPads, audio/video recorders, etc., is not permitted unless you have a compelling reason and have spoken to me in advance. These devices can be distracting and inhibiting. Cell phones, in particular, should not be seen, heard, or used during class. I will notify you if and when an occasion for in-class technology arises.

Punctuality | Class begins at 11:10 AM and ends at 12:30 PM. Arrive on time, and be present and ready to work for the whole class period. (Repeatedly showing up late to class may result in deducted points from your participation and attendance grade.) If you are late, please be as quiet and undisruptive as possible upon entering the room. Wait until class is completely over before you begin to pack up, stand up, and/or talk to friends.

E-mail Etiquette | I encourage you to e-mail me your questions and concerns pertaining to the course on an as-needed basis. You generally can anticipate a reply within 24 hours, if not sooner. However, when communicating with me via e-mail, you are expected to observe a degree of professional etiquette. This includes addressing your message with a proper salutation (ex. Dear Katelyn), using grammatically correct sentences and respectful language, and ending with a closing (ex. Best, Leslie Knope). Please note that, in order to promote the cultivation of professional skills, I will not respond to poorly crafted e-mails that do not adhere to appropriate decorum.

Grading | I will try to grade and return assignments to you in a timely fashion. You typically can expect to receive graded assignments no later than a week and a half after the due date. Written assignments will be scored by rubrics, which I will make available on Carmen. If you wish to contest a grade, I require a 24-hour wait period before you e-mail or approach me. (During that time, try assessing your own paper according to a blank rubric.) After 24 hours have passed, if you still wish to do so, you may contact me to set up an in-person appointment to discuss your concerns.

Class Discussion| We represent a diverse multitude of personalities, personal histories, experiences, beliefs, and opinions. While it is acceptable to challenge each other’s assertions, do not attack your peers for voicing opinions and perspectives different from your own (i.e., DBAA). Class discussions should be limited to information germane to the course; personal anecdotes related to the material are encouraged, but discussion will be redirected if we stray too far off topic.

Syllabus | While providing a general outline of course objectives and expectations, the syllabus is nonetheless a livingdocument. As such, it is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion to accommodate course needs and special circumstances.

Course Schedule |Readings—and media, when applicable—should be completed by the date indicated on the syllabus. Lectures and discussions are intended to supplement and contextualize, not replace, the assigned texts. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule at any time.

W1. (T) Jan. 7 – Introduction to 2230

(Th) Jan. 9 – Women’s Studies and Feminism(s) 101

  • “‘I’m Not a Feminist, But…’: Popular Myths About Feminism” (Weiss)
  • Excerpt from Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender, and the End of Normal (Halberstam)

W2. (M) Jan. 13 – Blog post #1 due by 5 PM

(T) Jan. 14 – Gender, Sexuality, and Race 101

  • “Not Your Mom’s Trans 101” (Asher)
  • “X: A Fabulous Child’s Story” (Gould)

Extra credit - WGSS Film Series: Magic Mike(7 PM, Psychology Bldg.)

(Th) Jan. 16 – Power, Oppression, and Privilege 101

  • “Oppression” (Frye)
  • “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” (McIntosh)

Theories/Methods of Pop Culture

W3.(M) Jan. 20 – Blog post #2 due by 5 PM

(T) Jan. 21 – Pop Culture Matters

  • “‘It’s Just a Movie’: A Teaching Essay for Introductory Media Classes” (Smith)
  • Miss Representation (2011) – Secured Media Library ( Netflix

(Th) Jan. 23 – Methods of Cultural Critique

  • “Cultural Studies, Multiculturalism, Media Culture” (Kellner)
  • “The Whites of Their Eyes: Racist Ideologies and the Media” (Hall)

W4.(M) Jan. 27 – Blog post #3 due by 5 PM

Extra Credit – Transnational Black Lesbian Politics and Hip Hop Talk (4-5:30 PM Denney Hall)

(T) Jan. 28 – Hegemony/Counter Hegemony

  • “Hegemony” (Lull)
  • “Political Culture Jamming: The Dissident Humor of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” (Warner)

(Th) Jan. 30 – Theories of Spectatorship: Dominant Gaze

  • “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” (Mulvey) – p. 837-840 (III. WOMAN AS IMAGE…to…pure examples of fetishistic scopophilia)
  • Excerpt from Ways of Seeing (Berger)
  • Dreamworlds 3: Desire, Sex, and Power in Music Video (2007) – Secured Media Library (

W5.(M) Feb. 3 – Blog post #4 and comment due by 5 PM

(T) Feb. 4 – Theories of Spectatorship: Oppositional Gaze

  • “The Oppositional Gaze: Black Female Spectators” (hooks)

(Th) Feb. 6 – Postfeminism

  • “Postfeminist Media Culture: Elements of a Sensibility” (Gill)
  • “Fantasies of Power” (Douglas)

W6.(M) Feb. 10 – Blog post #5 and comment due by 5 PM

(T) Feb. 11 – Postfeminism (student-led discussion)

  • Excerpt from What a Girl Wants? Fantasizing the Reclamation of Self in Postfeminism (Negra)
  • The Proposal (2009) – rent on iTunes, Amazon ($3.99)

Extra Credit – WGSS Film Series: Argo (7 PM Psychology Bldg.)

(Th) Feb. 13 – “Queering” Pop Culture

  • “Queering Black Female Heterosexuality” (Springer)
  • “Sex and the City: Carrie Bradshaw’s Queer Postfeminism” (Gerhard)

Imaging the Body

W7.(M) Feb. 17 –Blog post #6 and comment due by 5 PM

(T) Feb. 18 – Advertising

  • In-class screening: Killing Us Softly 4 (2010)
  • Bring to class two print advertisements

(Th) Feb. 20 – Advertising

W8.(T) Feb. 25 – Sporting Bodies

  • In-class screening: Not Just a Game: Power, Politics and American Sports (2010)
  • “Trapped in the Closet” (Leitch)
  • “Is It Getting Better? Chris Kluwe, Aaron Rodgers and LGBT Rights in Sports” (Zirin)

(Th) Feb. 27 – Sporting Bodies

  • “How Jock Entitlement Breeds Rape Culture” (Cristene)
  • “Race, Class, Labor, and the (Not So) Incognito Controversy” (Lang)

(F) Feb. 28 – Feminist Cultural Critique due to Dropbox by midnight

Extra Credit –María Lugones Public Lecture (4-6 PM Journalism Bldg.)

W9.(T) Mar. 4 – Makeover Culture (student-led discussion)

  • Excerpt from Makeover TV: Selfhood, Citizenship, and Celebrity (Weber)

(Th) Mar. 6 – Midterm Exam

W10.(T) Mar. 11 – No class (Spring Break)

(Th) Mar. 13 – No class (Spring Break)

*This portion of the schedule is tentative, and specific readings and media are TBA. A definitive post-midterm schedule will be provided before spring break.

W11.(T) Mar. 18 – Femininities, Masculinities, and Sexualities in Music/Video

(Th) Mar. 20 – Femininities, Masculinities, and Sexualities in Music/Video

W12.(T) Mar. 25 – Femininities, Masculinities, and Sexualities in Music/Video

(Th) Mar. 27 – Funny Women

W13.(T) April 1 – Funny Women

Representing Diversity in Primetime

(Th) April 3 – Representing LGBTQ

W14.(T) April 8 – Representing LGBTQ

(Th) April 10 – Multiculturalism and “Eating the Other”

W15.(T) April 15 – Representing Disability

(Th) April 17 – Flex Day

W16.(W) – Final Exam 8-9:45 AM