Main Content
Syllabus
COMM 205: Gender, Diversity and the Media
COMM 205 Gender, Diversity and the Media (3 credits): Explores the relationship between media and society through critical analysis of its role in social reality.
Overview
This course is aimed at creators and users of media in any form. It explores the relationship between the media and society through critical analysis of media content, industry practice and audience effects, with particular focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and the media's role in creating social reality.
Students will learn scholarship and communications theory which helps explain human diversity issues in media representation and effects. Students will explore economic, political, social and theoretical implications of media practice.
This course content is designed to help build deeper understanding of diversity in society and how it connects with media messages about gender, race, ethnicity, ability condition, sexual orientation and caste diversity. Students explore media literacy empowerment and the media's role within our diverse democratic US society and world society.
Course Objectives
Course objectives include the construction of critical thinking skills to develop media literacy and the capacity for media analysis. Media interacts with our processes of identity formation and of human difference negotiation in society. Media literacy enhances our ability to achieve a deeper understanding of the economic and social formation roles of media. Ideas about gender, race, ethnicity, conditions of ability, sexual orientation and class are shaped in part by media, so understanding media requires historical, political, economic and cultural context.
Selected readings, film screenings, websites and course projects are designed to assist students in the exploration of media culture and its effects and influences on citizens in society. Students are encouraged to apply relevant communication theory to critical analysis of media content to help explain media practice and develop an understanding of the social impacts of human representation in media.
Here are the course goals for COMM 205:
- Understand and apply principles and legal interpretations of the First Amendment.
- Demonstrate understanding of theory and its role in shaping communications; demonstrate an understanding of the intersection of identity formation, diversity and communications within global society.
- Understand concepts and apply theories in media content analysis; demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
- Think critically, creatively and independently; use appropriate communications research methods to conduct research and evaluate information; write results in correct, clear forms and styles appropriate for communications research.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
E-Reserves
This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course. You can access these materials by selecting Library Resources in your course navigation, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search and search for your instructor's last name.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Course Requirements and Grading
Reading Assignments
The reading assignments in each lesson are critical in providing the major content material for each lesson. They serve as one of the sources for completion of assignments.
Film Screenings
Film screenings provide content material for each lesson, as well as serving as the basis for completion of assignments and one of the sources for answers to quizzes.
Assessments
COMM 205 includes the following assessments.
| Assignment | Points | Total Points | Lesson(s) in which assessment occurs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multicultural Learning Experiences (MLE) | 5 @ 20 points | 100 | Lessons 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 |
| Discussion Forums | 10 @ 20 points | 200 | Lessons 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15 |
| Quizzes | various points | 419 | All lessons |
| Total Points | 719 |
Multicultural Learning Experiences (20 points)
A multicultural learning experience (MLE) for this class is defined as anything you experience in person in which you learn something about a culture other than your own, reflect on your experience, and write about it. These experiences can be speakers, live events or media events, art exhibits, dance or theatre performances, or other in-person activities that address diversity issues and provide a multicultural learning experience.
You should NOT use a video, TV show, film, or piece of music for this experience. Go and do something in person or have an in-person conversation with someone who is not in your family and comes from a different cultural perspective.
Experiences should occur during the course semester.
To complete these assignments, write 200–300 words that describe your multicultural learning experience. (10 points)
Reply to 2 classmates. Your response should be more than "nice job" or "I agree." You should engage with their ideas by asking questions, sharing your own stories, respectfully disagreeing, or bringing in extra information about their topic (5 points each).
Discussion Forums (20 points)
Discussion forums will take place in Packback, are an integral part of COMM 205, and are designed to replicate the types of conversations that happen organically in in-person classes. Most of the weeks that you are not discussing your MLEs you will be required to find a piece of media that relates to that week's content, share the media item (embed or include the link) and explain why you chose it (one paragraph) and how it connects (one paragraph). You will need to include information from the readings, films and lesson that is relevant. (10 points).
Lesson 1 discussion in Packback – course introductions
Lesson 3 discussion in Packback – everyone will respond to the same media item (embedded in assignment)
Lesson 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15 discussions in Packback – find and discuss a media item that is relevant to the week's content
Each week you will also respond to two classmates. Your response should be more than "nice job" or "I agree." You should engage with their ideas by asking questions, sharing your own stories, respectfully disagreeing, or bringing in extra information about their topic, (5 points each)
Quizzes (various points)
There is a quiz each week that covers the content from that week. Be sure you have at least 1-hour to complete each quiz. They consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching, and short answer questions.
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be based on the assessments and will conform to the following grading scale.
| Letter Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 92–100% |
| A- | 90–91.99% |
| B+ | 88–89.99% |
| B | 82–87.99% |
| B- | 80–81.99% |
| C+ | 78–79.99% |
| C | 70–77.99% |
| D | 60–69.99% |
| F | Below 60% |
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to participate in all assigned online discussions and writing assignments.
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Counseling and Psychological Services
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Principles
Report Bias
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.