RTF 331K (06517) Fall 1999
Gender, Sexuality and New Media
Allucquere (Sandy) Stone (sandy@sandystone.com), Instructor
Jane Park (parkch@hotmail.com), TA
Monday & Wednesday, 2-3:30 in the ACTLab

Gender, Sexuality and New Media is an intensive look at gender and sexuality at theintersections of theory, experiment, and production. By production I mean both media production and gender production. The class format is discussion. The motivating idea is that New Media courses require New Media methods. Since nobody knows what those are, really, we will use a method called bricolage - a high theoretical term for whatever works.

Gender and sexuality: The motivating idea for the class is that 1) Gender andsexuality mark out and make visible sites of ferocious social contests over who gets to define what those terms mean. (We will also discuss another level of the same battles, namely over how things mean.) 2) Gender and sexuality are constructed asside effects of power struggles. Therefore, making visible the workings of the apparatus(es) of construction of gender and sexuality constitute disruptions or interventions into structures of power. In this sense, gender and sexuality studies are political acts.

Prerequisites: The usual, plus consent of instructor.

Requirements:

1) Active participation. This is a discussion format class. I rarely lecture as you probably understand the term. (35%)

2) Midterm review. This is a 15 minute meeting with the Instructor and TA during which you discuss the current state of your project. (30%)

3) Successful completion of a semester project. The project may be in any form exceptessay form. If you feel you absolutely must write an essay and are capable of nothingelse, you may petition the instructor for permission. Suggested project formats include Web sites, CD-ROMs, graphic or plastic arts, streaming audio or video, broadcast, pirate broadcast, videotapes, audio tapes, and/or performance art. (35%)

In all things related to the class I value originality, dedication, and willingness to risk. I do not particularly value test-taking skills, though I don t denigrate them and they certainly help in most other classes.

Stuff:

Projects are due on the specified date. Half a grade point is deducted from your grade for each day beyond the due date. Grades are final and no negotiation is permitted.

Class meetings are a mixture of discussion and practice. I don t drag people intodiscussion, so if nobody feels like talking we ll go directly to work on the projects, whatever they are.

Reading assignments: There is no advance reading list which I could offer youwhich in my opinion would offer sufficiently cutting-edge insights into what we will hopefully be doing. I expect you (and me) to ferret out useful material from the Web, newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, and other media, and drag it in for discussion.

This course may feel quite alien in its organization and structure, and it obviously requires a higher level of responsibility on your part than that to which you are probably used. If at any time you become uncomfortable with the arrangement, feel free to say so and I ll try to help.

The fine print:

Regarding Scholastic Dishonesty: The University defines academic dishonesty as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying academic records, and any act designed to avoid participating honestly in the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is not limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor. By accepting this syllabus, you have agreed to these guidelines and must adhere to them. Scholastic dishonest damages both the student's learning experience and readiness for the future demands of a work-career. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. For more information on scholastic dishonesty, please visit the Student Judicial services Web site at http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/.

About the Undergraduate Writing Center: The Undergraduate Writing Center, located in the FAC 211, phone 471-6222, offers individualized assistance to students who want to improve their writing skills. There is no charge, and students may come in on a drop-in or appointment basis.