COMMUNICATION STUDIES 360 "COMMUNICATION AND THE SEXES" Elizabeth Berry, Ph.D. Fall, 1998

Phone: 677-2857 Office: SP227 Mailbox: SP 207

Office Hours: Tuesday,12:15-1:00 Wed., 11:00-12:00 Thursday,8:30-9:15

Email: elizabeth.berry@email.csun.edu

General Goals and Description of Course This course will focus attention on the variable of gender as it influences communication between women and men. The purpose of Communication Studies 360 is to help students gain an understanding of the dynamics of female-male communication in various contexts. We shall examine how factors such as ethnicity, class, power, age, and context affect communication between the sexes in people's personal and professional lives. ComS360 fulfills Section E of General Education which is designed to develop the students' perspective of the role of applied arts and sciences in the solution of current issues and problems. This course advances that goal by having students analyze and apply communication theory to situations involving communication and the sexes in contemporary life. Regular writing assignments will be required. After completing the course, students will be able to: Explain the relationship between gender, culture, and communication; Develop their communication skills through a sensitivity to gender differences and similarities in the communication process; Distinguish between gender and sex as constructs and explain their influences on communication behaviors; Identify how both language and nonverbal communication are affected by gender and influence gender; Identify their own gender style or habits and the factors that influence them; Identify the basis for actual and perceived gender differences in communication; Examine the influence of gender on communication in a variety of contexts such as family, friendships, male-female relationships, the workplace and public contexts. Course Requirements and Evaluations Because this is a lecture-discussion class, class participation is mandatory. I expect everyone to do the readings BEFORE class and have something to say about them. I do not subscribe to the "banker" model of teaching whereby the professor "deposits" knowledge into students' minds for "withdrawal" at exam time. We will all engage in a dialogue. The course materials often provoke difference of opinion and part of communication competence which we seek is being able to listen and respond appropriately to controversial issues. Required Texts (T) Wood, Julia(1996) Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture (2nd edition) Belmont, CA Wadsworth (R) Berry, Elizabeth Communication and the Sexes Reader(Available at Quick Copies in Student Union) Evaluation and Grading Two exams on materials from text, reader, class lectures and discussions (30% each) Hypernews Forum and Panel Discussion (10%) Position Paper on Forum Issue ( 10%) In-class Quizzes, Writing Assignments,Participation (10%) Popular Culture Analysis Paper (10%) Grading is based on an 11 point scale A=11   A-=10   B+=9   B=8   B-=7   C+=6   C=5   C-=4   D+=3   D=2   D-=1 Late papers will be penalized one grade for each day ( not class day) late. You must be in class to complete the in-class writing assignments. Missed in-class assignments may not be made up. It is the responsibility of the student to know and follow all of the written guidance given by the instructor in this syllabus and any other handouts you receive during the semester. Although I will make every effort to hold to the attached schedule, the students must appreciate that classes differ and schedules vary. Students should therefore,keep in touch. Keep up with the readings both for participation in class discussion and to be prepared for other assignments and tests. Be prepared in class each day with your reader and writing materials. Attendance and prompt arrival in class are expected. Students with excessive absences may receive a lower grade. Academic Dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty defrauds all those who depend upon the integrity of university courses and is a serious offense covered by Section 41301, title 5 of the California Administrative Code. This section of the Code is published in the University Catalog, Schedule of Classes and the Student Handbook. Any student found guilty of plagiarism, fabrication, or cheating of any kind will receive a failing grade in the course. Furthermore, the instructor will report such actions to the University. Cyberspace Assignments    HyperNews Discussion We will be engaging in several on-line assignments, using email and the internet. Each student will be required to acquire an email account ( see "Student Guides," http://lrc.csun.edu/~john/studentguides.html ). Students are strongly encouraged to attend the Learning Resource Center training workshops. The LRC is located in Music Lawn 250.

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