G ST 301 Topics in Gender and Culture: Queering Television

G ST 301 IS Sec 12, University of Mississippi
[See UM Catalog for Description]

3 credit hours

Instructor Information:

Kevin Cozart, M.A.

Instructor name:
Kevin Cozart, M.A.
kcozart@olemiss.edu

Areas of specialization:

  • Women and STEM
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Media Studies
  • Gender, Sexuality, and Mass Media

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the Email Your Instructor link in the Lessons or Content page. NOTE: Whenever sending email, please be sure to indicate your course title and number in the subject line. You can expect a response within 72 hours, although it may be longer on weekends. Many instructors reply within 24 hours.

For lesson or test administration issues, please contact the iStudy department:

The University of Mississippi
Division of Outreach and Continuing Education
iStudy
P. O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677

Phone: (662) 915-7313, toll-free (877) 915-7313
Fax: (662) 915-8826
E-mail: istudy@olemiss.edu

Course Description

A study of gender roles within traditional and popular culture. The specific content of the course may vary in different semesters. Possible emphases might include women in the arts, women in film, women in the media, and women in popular culture.

Beginning with Norman Lear’s portfolio of shows from the 70’s on and continuing through to streaming shows such as Sense8, Transparent, and One Day at a Time (a modern reboot of a Norman Lear show), this course will explore the characters, shows, moments, and directors/producers/creators that queered or changed television. Students will contemplate issues of gender, sexuality, sexual freedom, aging, intersexuality, changing social norms, and more.

Textbook Information:

Textbook information will be provided upon enrollment in your iStudy course.

Course Objectives:

If you complete this course successfully, you will:

  • To create an environment that enables students to strengthen their analytical and communication skills.
  • To construct a classroom culture that enables students to examine and discuss the representation of the lives of women & sexual minorities on television.
  • To foster awareness of how women, sexual minorities, and sexualities have shaped modern television.
  • To foster awareness of how social factors, like television, shape and influence our everyday lives and the world around us.

Learning Objectives:

  • To demonstrate an understanding of the history and evolution of television.
  • To examine the interdisciplinary connections between study in Women and Gender Studies and television.
  • To evaluate and recognize the ways that particular actors, storylines, and shows queered or changed television.

Course Outline:

This course consists of 14 instructional lessons. Please note that the suggested Pacing Guide to complete the course in a traditional semester is written for Fall and Spring. Full summer students need to make adjustments due to the significantly shorter time period involved.

You MUST take the syllabus quiz within 2 weeks of enrolling or you will be dropped from the course. NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page.

Lesson Reading Assignments Due for Grades Suggested Pacing Guide to complete the course in a traditional semester. *Summer session students will need to make adjustments due to the shorter time period*
Start Here *You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance.*NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page. Syllabus Quiz Week 1
1 Introduction Video Blog Due Week 1
2 What is television? What is television studies? Blog Due  Week 2
3 What is queer (television)? Blog Due Week 3
Theme One: The Norman Lear Legacy
4 All in the Norm Lear Family Blog Due Week 4
5 Then There’s Maude Blog Due Week 5
Theme Two: Golden Women 
6 The Women's’ Ensemble Cast Blog Due Week 6
7 Sex, Sass, and Love Blog Due Week 7
Course Exam 1 Course Exam 1 is the submission of the Analysis Paper To be completed
before proceeding
Week 7
MIDPOINT OF COURSE If you are a semester student, you must reach the midpoint of your course by the date specified in your information.
If you are a Flex UM student, you CANNOT WITHDRAW from this course after the lesson has been submitted.
All lesson assignments or exams needed to reach the midpoint of the course The exact date semester students are required to reach the midpoint is specified in your information.
Theme Three: Queering Center Stage 
8 The Broadcast Queer Blog Due Week 8
9 The Cable Queer Blog Due Week 9
Theme Four: Queering by Greg Berlanti 
10 The Queer Teen Blog Due Week 10
11 The Queer Sibling Blog Due Week 11
12 The Queer Hero Blog Due  Week 12
Theme Five: The Digital Small Screen 
13 The Digital Queer in American TV Blog Due Week 13
14 Digital Crossings Blog Due Week 14
Final Exam Final Exam is the submission of the Final Project/Paper To be completed
to finalize credit
Week 15

Grading:

Grading information must include percentages of total grades for each category of assessment
GRADING SCALE
90 - 100% = A
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
Below 59% = F

FAILURE TO TAKE THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE.

You must submit the lessons required to take the course exam(s). Lessons required but not submitted will receive a grade of zero. For the final exam, all coursework must be submitted and graded.