COS3710

Sexed media, media-ted sex

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

Chris Atmore

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: COS2130/SCY2210/ANY2130/ANY3630, a CLS or WMN subject, or approved equivalent

Objectives This subject aims to provide students with an introduction to the study of mass media representations of gender and sexuality. Students are not expected to emerge at the end of the subject as fully fledged media theorists and researchers; rather the subject aims to develop a working knowledge, and students will be encouraged to take a `hands-on' approach to media representations in becoming more critically engaged consumers of `sexed media' and `media-ted sex'. Specifically, the subject aims to: introduce students to a range of theoretical approaches to the mass media and some background to this diversity; focus, via illustrations and case studies, on how these different theories can be used in analysing media representations of gender and sexuality; enable students to develop and build on a working knowledge of some important debates, concepts and research methods in media studies which focus on gender and sexuality; develop and consolidate in students the critical skills to be able to evaluate a piece of media research or theory and to carry out their own small study, and to be able to effectively present their arguments to others in class and in written form.

Synopsis This subject considers how various theories of media representation relate to different theoretical models of gender and sexuality. We consider the role the mass media might play in producing and reproducing gender and sexuality as social processes and inequalities. We also examine different theoretical approaches to the media and their associated methods, and look at some specific studies and debates in the areas of media representation of gender and sexuality. Students are encouraged to make their own critical assessment of the theoretical debates and choices of media analytic methods, and to support their critiques by carrying out a small study of an aspect of media representation.

Assessment Essay (2000 words): 40%
* Project (4000 words): 60%

Recommended texts

Betterton R Looking on: Images of femininity in the visual arts and media Pandora, 1987
Cunningham S and Turner G (eds) The media in Australia Allen and Unwin, 1993
Fiske J Introduction to communication studies Routledge, 1990
van Zoonen L Feminist media studies Sage, 1994