Institute for Women's Studies & Gender Studies, New College, University of Toronto

NEW 271Y: Gender, Race and Class in Contemporary Popular Culture
Course Description  -  2004 - 2005

Professor Kay Armatage, Innis College Rm 224. Tel. 416-978-8572; Fax 416-946-0168. kay.armatage@utoronto.ca

Teaching Assistant Wendy Peters, New College Rm. 2024. Tel. 416-978-1858; Fax 416-946-5561. wpeters@oise.utoronto.ca

Lectures Mondays 3:00-5:00, Room 1017, New College
Tutorials Mondays 2:00-3:00 pm, 5:00-6:00 pm, Rooms 2002 & 2008, New College
Office Hours Wednesdays 3:00-5:00 pm, Room 224, Innis College

This course is suitable for undergraduate Women's Studies students, as well as for students with a background in Semiotics, Twentieth Century Studies, Cinema Studies, Cultural Studies and Literary Studies. It may also be of interest to general undergraduate arts students.


Course Description
An interdisciplinary course examining media, forms of entertainment, and daily life practices, and focusing on the roles of women and girls as consumers and producers of the popular culture.

Purpose of the Course
To develop skills in media literacy in relation to representations of race, class and gender in a variety of popular cultural forms.

Texts to Buy
- Jonathan Bignell, Media Semiotics: an Introduction (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2002).
- Fall and Winter Course Readers. Available at Quality Control Copy, 333 Bloor St. W., 416-971-9188.

Method of Evaluation
Participation 15%; 2 Co-Presentations 20%; Fall Essay 15%; Term Test (end of fall term) 15%; Spring Term Essay 20%; Term Test (spring) 15%.

Top / Schedule/ Assignments/ Other Courses/
Institute for Women's Studies and Gender Studies/ Kay Armatage