| Course Description |
EMC 598 - Gender and Ethnicity, invites you to engage
in a critical analysis of contemporary issues. The course is designed to
thread a variety of philosophical approaches and practical examples of
how issues of gender, ethnicity, and technology are addressed in academic
policy and practice. Distance Education technology will serve as both a
platform for this discovery into internet linked resources, online dialogue,
and asynchronous conferencing as well as serving as the centerpoint of
inquiry into it's applicability in serving disenfranchised learners. During
the course we will work with two text-based conferencing systems, FirstClass®
and CourseInfo on our website. Students who are enrolled will be given
access to both FirstClass®
and CourseInfo for class discussion and to post homework.
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This course will meet Face-to-Face for the first three weeks of class,
the last two weeks, and once during the middle of the semester. The schdule
is as follows:
Face To Face
Where: COE Payne Hall - Conference Room -
Time: 1:40 - 4:30
Dates: January 20 and 27, February 3, April 6, April 27 and May 4th.
2000
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| Textbooks |
There are two texts, one listserve, and numerous online
articles:
Beyond Silenced Voices, by Lois Weis and Michelle Fine
(1993, State of NY Press).
In Search of the Virtual Class, by John Tiffin and Lalita Rajasingham (1995,
Routledge).
Topical Listserve of your choice
|
| Topics |
Some of the topics covered will include: Recognizing Bias
in the Mediated World; The Invisibility of Power; Multiculturalism and
Ethnocentrism; Access to Technology Diversity and the Educational System;
Gender and Communications; Gender and New Media Additional and ancillary
online resources will supplement the text materials. This class is meant
to be an interactive seminar in which students and instructors take active
roles in contributing to discussions. You will be expected to have access
to the Internet and be proficient in using e-mail and downloading files.
|
| Assignments |
Assignments include:
- Weekly discussion forums directed to issues covered
in the readings.
- Case study papers which will provide a platform for
you to work with colleagues online as you synthesize prior readings and
research to demonstrate how they extend your understanding of diverse contemporary
issues.
- Monitoring a listserve, or bulletin board on the gender/ethnicity
issues of your choice, synthesizing the information learned from that source,
and sharing it with your colleagues for the development of a co-authored
paper.
- You will also choose a topic which you explore extensively
for the final research paper and presentation.
Assignments are uploaded to the homework folder. Each
assignment must be clearly marked with your name, title, and assignment
number. After reviewing assignments, the instructors will post them in
the papers folder for the class to read. All assignments are due no later
than Sunday night at which time that week's folder will be closed. Conversations
on previous topics may continue in the FirstClass® chat area. Discussions
will last one-to-two weeks depending on topic, and spirit of the discussion.
|
| Discussions |
Discussion questions based on the assigned readings, will
be posted by both the instructor and students to FirstClass®. You are
expected to contribute a minimum of two thoughtful dialogue entries per
week to each discussion. Discussions should be limited to one screen. Discussion
entries must clearly demonstrate a mastery of the assigned readings, as
they relate to the question being posed. Use of reference, and/or external
resources in constructing your position is recommended.
Each student will post a question and moderate the discussion
for one online week. At the end of the week, the discussion leaders will
sumarize and post the main points of the week's discussion.
|
| Final Project |
You will select one topic in consultation with your instructor.
The final research paper will be a ten-page (2500 words) examination of
the topic to accompany a description of library and online resources supporting
that topic. These resources should be listed by URL and described individually.
|
| Online Interaction |
When writing to class members, all messages should clearly
identify the topic and sender. Times will be established for synchronous
office hours. You are encouraged to write off-line using a wordprocessor
and spellchecker. Take the time to carefully construct your correspondence
and you will find that people will take your posting more seriously. Please
be considerate of other's feelings. No flaming, of course. Remember, encourage
those who are reluctant to participate online.Some class members may be
new to this medium. Everyone's opinions are important. Don't worry about
making mistakes. Have fun!
|
| Evaluation |
This is a graduate seminar. You are expected to perform
in a professional manner. Students must attend class and online sessions.
Everyone is expected to complete assignments on time. Any materials submitted
late will result in the reduction of one grade. Performance will be asessed
in five areas, all of which are equally weighted:
Assignments. . . 20%
Discussions. . . 20%
Examination. . . 20% (Midterm Exam administered online)
Research Paper. . .20%
Class presentation
of Research Paper. . . 20%
Grading Rubric for written assignments:
- A - quality work:
is on-time.
cites references using APA standards.
uses external and web-based references.
constructs solid, academic arguements, supported by research.
demonstrates an understanding of associated texts.
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| Course Objectives |
Upon completion of EMC 598, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in using electronic courseware
applications as well as uploading and downloading documents;
- Recognize the works of leading scholars of ethnocentric,
multicultural, feminist, and online communications theory;
- Analyze the variety of messages and imbedded values in
both mass media and policy relating to issues of diversity and gender.
- Enhance skills in research and information analysis.
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