COMM 356

Credit: 3 hours.

(COMM 256) Examines the notion that the mass media might influence our development as gendered individuals, looking at those who have argued both for and against this notion. Considers different forms of feminist theory and their application to the study of the mass media. The course then examines the development of images of women in film and television, and how these images might function for different segments of the female audience. The course also looks at the history of these media, the history of their portrayal of women, feminist criticisms of these portrayals, feminist discussions of the appeal of specifically "female" genres such as melodramas and soap operas to the female audience, feminist attempts to create alternatives to mainstream images in various media, and the representation of women of color in the dominant media.

Same as GWS 356.

Students must register for one lab and one lecture section.