SAMPLE SYLLABUS – This syllabus is provided as a sample. Some course content
may vary.
DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA, CULTURE, AND COMMUNICATION
E59.1407
GENDER, SEX AND THE GLOBAL
Course Description.
This course examines how globalization and the neoliberal context impact the
construction of gender and sexuality. We will examine how gendered positions are
reproduced, negotiated and deployed against the backdrop of transborder flows of media,
people and cultural products. We will critically discuss issues of global mobility,
citizenship, global labor flows and how they impact gender and gender politics. Through
a reading of theoretical texts together with ethnographic case studies and media images,
we will engage with how globalization is transforming gender and sexual identities in
various global sites.
Learning objectives
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Students will read and critique current research and theory in the area of gender
and cultural studies and the literature on globalization
Students will learn to think critically about transnational constructions of gender
and be exposed to issues of emergent theoretical and methodological issues.
Required Readings
Barndt, Deborah.(2002). Tangled Routes: Women, work and globalization on the tomato
trail. Rowman& Littlefield publishers.
Keaton, Trica. (2006) Muslim girls and the other France. Indiana University Press.
Pieterse, Jan . (2004). Globalization and culture. Rowman and Littlefield.
Foner,Nancy. (2005). In a New Land. New York University Press.
Other readings will be posted as PDF documents on Blackboard site.
Grading Structure
Reading Responses/Class Participation: 20%
Group assignments : 20%
Paper 1: 30%
Paper 2: 30%
SAMPLE SYLLABUS – This syllabus is provided as a sample. Some course content
may vary.
Class Schedule
Perspectives on globalization and gender
9/5 Introduction to class, texts and policies.
9/7
Gendering the field
Freeman : PDF
Pieterse: Chaps. 1, 3
9/12 Technologies of globalization
Barndt :
Pietrse :
Chaps 1
Chaps 2,4
9/14
Globalization from below
Video: Writing Desire
Sassen :
Ong:
PDF; Barndt : Chap. 2
PDF
Transnational labor flows and gender
9/19 Flexible workplace and gender
Barndt:
Chaps. 3, 4
9/21
Work and cultural dislocations
Barndt:
Chaps 5,6
9/26
Modernity & Modernities
Bandt :
Altman:
Chaps 7
PDF
Contexts and case studies
9/28 Group Projects
10/3
Group Projects
10/5
Global staging of gendered difference
10/10 Video Maid in America
10/12
Parrenas: PDF
Paper 1 due
Representations of gender in global media
Oza: PDF
Gender, Immigration, Ex/Inclusions
10/17
Transnationalism - historical perspective
Foner: Chp. 1,4
Gold: PDF
10/19
Video screening: Under one sky
Keaton: Chp. 1
10/24
Public and Private face of culture
Keaton: Chp. 2,3
10/26
Group Work in class
Keaton: Chp. 4
10/31
Gendered Transitions
Keaton: Chp. 5 ; Hegde: PDF
SAMPLE SYLLABUS – This syllabus is provided as a sample. Some course content
may vary.
11/ 2
Video Screening Europlex
Foner: Chp. 5
11/ 7
Gender politics and identity
Foner: Chp 6,7
11/9
Catch up day
11/14
Group Presentations
11/16
Neoliberalism and gendered consumers
11/ 21
Group presentations
Ong, Oza
On global futures, gender and research directions
11/ 23
Thanksgiving NO CLASS
11/28
Global debates on gender
Foner: Chp. 8
Benhabib: PDF
11/30
Thinking ahead - global futures
Foner: Chp 9
Pieterse: Chp. 5
12/5
Paper 2 presentations
Paper 2 due
+ Blackboard postings
12/7
Paper 2 Presentations Wrap-up
Class Policies
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All work has to be completed on time – no extensions.
Regular attendance and active participation required.
All components of the course have to be satisfactorily completed to receive a
final grade.
Read Steinhardt/NYU policy on academic integrity. Issues of dishonesty and
plagiarism have serious consequences and you will automatically receive an F.
SAMPLE SYLLABUS – This syllabus is provided as a sample. Some course content
may vary.
Paper 1
DUE: October 10
This paper will be based on your reading of Deborah Barndt's Tangled Route: Women,
work and globalization on the tomato trail. In this paper, 1) you will evaluate the Barndt's
objective, method and assess the overall significance of her work to the critical study of
globalization and gender. After providing a brief overview, you can focus on particular
aspects of her research that you wish to highlight, comment on. 2) Choose another
example/aspect of globalization that might merit similar attention or how does Barndt's
work suggest possible approaches to the study of global circuits ? Use news sources and
journal articles (3 minimum) to support your example/topic. Use your example to
advance a case for how to study globalization and its multilayered complexity.
Paper length: 10 pages
Paper 11
Due: 12/5
In this paper, you will focus on a topic of your choice concerning gender and sexuality
issues as they intersect with immigration and develop a specific case study. You will
identify an issue that interests you and is related to the themes of immigration and
globalization. Provide a rationale for the choice of topic by situating it in the literature
that we have read in class and other readings pertinent to your particular focus. You will
be expected to conduct field work, interviews and develop a case study that speaks the
theme of globalization/immigration. More details follow
Paper length: 12 pages
General Guidelines for Papers
Papers are to be typed double spaced 12-point font.
Please use APA style manual and be consistent
Papers will be turned in on the date indicated on the syllabus.
You name and page numbers should be printed on the header.
REMEMBER THIS HAS TO BE YOUR WORK
Reading Responses
You are absolutely required to have completed your readings for each class. In addition,
each week, throughout the semester, you will post brief responses to the readings. The
class will be divided into 2 groups -A & B. Groups will take turns posting. On the day
you post a reading , you will be expected to pose the question with more details to the
class. Make sure you have read all the postings before you come to class. Along with
your final paper, you will turn in 10 of what you consider your best postings in hard copy
stapled to your paper.
SAMPLE SYLLABUS – This syllabus is provided as a sample. Some course content
may vary.
Group Project
There will be two group presentations as scheduled on the syllabus. These are intended
for you to explore in depth the themes of the course and relate it to current events/public
opinion. The group will conduct research collectively and present it as a teach-in to the
rest of the class.
The presentations will be about 15 minutes long. A brief written handout is also
expected.
More details will follow.