B6988 - GENDER AND COMMUNICATION

Learning outcomes

The student (a) knows the key elements of communication as a socio-cultural event, (b) can evaluate and apply ethically correct practices in the field, (c) can develop further higher-level socio-communication knowledge and skills and apply them also in the areas of mediation and translation.

Course contents

Language of the course: English.

The course aims to investigate gender issues and identities from an intercultural and intersectional perspective, by discussing theories developed in the fields of media and communication studies. More specifically, the classes will cover three macro-areas:

- Feminist and queer studies in Western cultures from the second half of the 20th century to the present. Colonialism and gender variance in Native and Aboriginal cultures.

- Gender representations in the media.

- Interlinguistic and intralinguistic analysis of strategies against linguistic sexism and for gender-fair language.

The course will include the screening and analysis of movies/documentaries in class, workshops, and discussions among participants.

BAES students are reminded that:

- the course "Gender and Communication" is offered only at the Forlì campus;

- the BAES study plan awards 6 ETCS for the "Gender and Communication" course.

In order to reach 6 ECTS, BAES students should:

- attend all lectures and carry out the assessments, plus the final written exam, as every other student enrolled in the course.

Further information will be provided in class at the beginning of the course.

Readings/Bibliography

The full list of required texts for the exam will be provided at the beginning of the course (see Virtuale). The course bibliography consists of a selection of essays from different journals and books, including:

Bernini, Lorenzo (2017) Le teorie queer: un’introduzione, Milano: Mimesis. [selection]

Corbisiero, Fabio e Salvatore Monaco (2024) Manuale di studi LGBTQIA+, Torino: UTET. [selection]

De Leo, Maya (2021) Queer: storia culturale della comunità LGBT+, Torino: Einaudi. [selection]

Gill, Rosalind (2006) Gender and the Media, Cambridge Polity Press. [selection]

Sabatini, Alma (1987) Il sessismo nella lingua italiana, Roma: Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri. [selection]

Teaching methods

Lectures and workshops. Screening and analysis of movies and documentaries. The course requires the active participation of students.

Assessment methods

Attending students: for the exam, students are required to work in small groups (2-4 people) and conduct a comparative critical analysis of gender representations in two feature films of their choice (English or Italian language). More specifically, the exam comprises:

• A written essay (paper) that contains the analysis carried out. The paper must be handed in before the day of the exam (appello), by the deadline that will be indicated by the professor.
• Oral presentation on the day of the exam. NB: the presentation is based on the essay. All group members must speak during the presentation.

NON-attending students: same exam as attending students (see above) + annotated bibliography to be handed in on the day of exam. For more information, please e-mail the professor and visit Virtuale platform.

NB: Non-attending students are kindly asked to e-mail the professor before the beginning of the course.

 

Learning assessment scale:

30-30L (excellent): Excellent, in-depth knowledge of the course content, excellent ability to apply theoretical concepts, excellent exposition, as well as excellent capacity for critical analysis in an intersectional perspective.

27-29 (above average): Accurate and extensive knowledge of content, good ability to apply theoretical concepts, ability for critical analysis, accurate and correct exposition.

24-26 (generally sound): Appropriate content knowledge, fair ability to apply theoretical concepts and to present content.

21-23 (sufficient): Appropriate but not extensive knowledge of content, partial ability to apply theoretical concepts, presentation of content acceptable.

18-20 (minimum): Sufficient but superficial knowledge of content, simple exposition, uncertainties in the application of theoretical concepts.

Insuf. / Failed: Fragmented and superficial knowledge of content, errors in applying concepts, poor exposition. The exam must be repeated.

Teaching tools

Slides, videos, films and documentaries, bibliography and other material, all made available on the platform Virtuale in the dedicated section.

Office hours

See the website of Beatrice Spallaccia