Gender, Diversity and the Media

Catalog description

COMM (WMNST) 205 Gender, Diversity and the Media (3) (GS;US)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This course examines diversity, equity and inclusion issues in media content, media business and media practice. Students examine communications scholarship, theory, media effects research and critical analysis of media content, policy and practice. Students learn about the media industry, its diverse distribution formats and representation patterns and the media role as public educator and social reality framer. Students research scholarship on human diversity issues in media representation and media effects and explore economic, political and social implications of media practice. Students critically analyze media content and media industry practice to build knowledge about ethical and responsible media practice. Course content is designed to help build deeper knowledge of how media interacts with identity formation, public knowledge and social understanding or misunderstanding of gender, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation and class diversity, equity and inclusion. Students learn relevant communication theory to help explain how media interacts with our identity formation and our capability to navigate human difference in society. Students build critical thinking and media literacy skills, which are essential to navigate media and distinguish truth from fallacy. The course provides a foundation for further study of media in our diverse complex US democracy and global society and empowers students to interpret and pursue their interests, rights, and opportunities with ethics and integrity as media professionals.