CMAT 304: Communication, Gender and Culture

Spring 2018

“Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong.
It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideas.” - Emma Watson

Instructor:  Dr. Chrys Egan E­mail: cnegan@salisbury.edu
Office Telephone: 410­677­5436  Office: 265 Fulton and GAC 233
CMAT 297­001 Communication Research MWF 10­10:50 TE 213G
CMAT 304­001 Gender, Culture & Communication TuTh 11­12:15  DH 126
Office Hours:  Communication Department, Fulton 265:  M, W, F 9:00­9:45; Tu, Th 9­10:45
Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, GAC 233: Tu, Th 12:30­1:00 

Textbooks:
Egan, C. (2018). Gender, Communication, & Culture Coursepack. Salisbury University Bookstore.
Nikkah, J. (2000). Our Boys Speak. St. Martin's Press.
Shandler, S. (1999). Ophelia Speaks. Harper Collins Publishers.
Wood, J. (2013-2019). Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture. 10th-13th ed. Wadsworth.

Course Description: This course addresses the relationships between communication, gender and culture, 

including discussion of diverse classes, ethnicities, races, and sexual orientations, based on historic and 
contemporary research.  We will explore what gender similarities and differences exist, plus how and when 
these differences and similarities matter. Learning about the relationships among communication, gender, and 
culture serves two important goals: (1) It will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the complex 
ways in which communication, gender, and culture interact, and (2) It may expand your options and enhance 
your effectiveness as a communicator. 

See the Required SU Policies on MyClasses: Academic Misconduct Policy, Disability Resources Center,
Inclement Weather Policy, Drop or Withdraw from a Class Policy, and more.
Grading
Class Participation = 5 Points: Participation is extremely important in this course because it: keeps you active 
and engaged, helps you build upon each concept, and allows me to determine your understanding.  Therefore, 
you are expected to verbally and nonverbally participate in all discussions and activities.  If you miss more than 
2 classes, you will lose 1 point per absence. 

Coursepack = 10 Points: You are required to complete your coursepack, which consists of three parts: GL
homework, GL notes, plus O and B personal response journals. Bring your coursepack to class everyday. Before
we cover a GL chapter in class (typically Tuesdays), you must read the chapter and complete your assigned GL
homework by writing a paragraph response; in class, we’ll complete the GL notes. Take useful notes since you 
can use your coursepack for exams.  Before we discuss the O and B readings (typically Thursdays), write a
paragraph response on your personal experience or thoughts on that subject. Your coursepack will be collected 
and graded.  

Cultural Enhancement Event = 10 Points:  You will apply your classroom knowledge of gender and culture 
communication outside the classroom by attending one SU Cultural Event, such as Black History Month 
(February), Women’s History Month (March) event, or other event.  You will write a brief reaction paper 
addressing the assigned topics.  The following class period, you will give a short briefing report on your project.
See MyClasses for detailed directions, sample papers, and event calendar. See Panorama and SU Calendar for 
potential events.  

Civic Engagement = 10 Points:  You will apply your knowledge of gender, culture, and communication to 
support a civic engagement cause by volunteering your time to an activity and organization related to gender 
and culture. When your 3­5 hours are complete, write and submit your reaction paper. We also will have a class 
discussion on what we learned from this project. See SU Volunteer Center, PACE, and the Center for Equity, 
Justice, and Inclusion (in Blackwell Hall) for opportunities.  

“In Our Words”: Research Paper & Presentation = 15 Points: Our course includes two powerful books of essays
written by young men and women who discuss the impact of gender and culture on their real lives. This
assignment allows you to explore a topic of personal importance to you by learning more on that subject, reading
that set of essays in detail, and interviewing one person you know. Additional credit given to top quality 
presenters who are selected for the SU Student Research Conference. This assignment has 2 components:
(1) Research Paper = 10 points: In 5-7 pages, write all aspects of the project in APA format. Provide 2-
3 background sources and one personal interview.

(2) Presentation/Discussion = 5 points: You have 30-35 minutes for your highly prepared, organized, and
engaging presentation that includes deep class discussion. See “Leader” column on the schedule
below for days and topics.

Exams = 50 Points: There are 3 multiple choice online exams, each with 25 questions worth one point each.
Your scores will be averaged and multiplied by two for a total of 50 points. Exam 1 covers Ch 1-4, 11; Exam 2
covers Ch 5-7, 9; Exam 3 covers Ch 8, 10, 12. Exams are always due by midnight on the day indicated; see the 
schedule for deadlines.  During the exam, you are allowed to use your coursepack only, no additional resources 
or assistance from other people.

Extra Credit = 1 Point:  I love this class and hope you will too!  I am open to your ideas.  Please share any 
relevant media examples or activities to earn an extra point.  Thank you in advance for making this a great class.

Grading Scale: A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-70 D=69-60 F=59-below

Schedule
Week 1 Unit 1: Influences on Gender
Tu 1/29 Syllabus, Introduction, Jackson Katz’s “Tough Guise 2” Video and Discussion

Th 1/31 Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s “Miss Representation” Video and Discussion

Week 2*February – African American History Month
Tu 2/5  G L Ch 1 “Study of Com, Gender & Culture”

Th 2/7 O Ch 5e “Feminist” – Leader 1: Maddie O’Gwin

B Ch 1 “In You We Trust” – Leader 2: Lauren Brooks
Week 3
Tu 2/12 GL Ch 2 “Theory”
Th 2/14 O Ch 5c “Race,” 4c “Diverse Sexualities” – Leader 3: Megan Souder &
Leader 4: Matt O’Callahan
B Ch 9 “Outside,” Ch 13 “Between Worlds”­ Leader 5: Matt Meekins 
& Leader 6: Kevin Ferguson

    2/18­2/25
Week 4Gull Week
Tu 2/19 GL Ch 3 “Women’s Movements” & Ch 4 “Men’s Movements”

Th 2/21 O Ch 4d “Manipulated,” 4e “Broken-Hearted” – Leader 7: Young Le

B Ch 7 “Free to Be” – Leader 8: Molly Webb

Week 5
Tu 2/26 GL Ch 11 “Media”; Exam 1 online from 2/26­3/1

Th 2/28 O Ch 1a “Media,” 1b “Eating Disorders,” – Leader 9: Kylie Zaruba

B Ch 12 “Song of Sorrow” & O 5 b “Depression”­ Leader 10: Lindsay Meehan

*March – Women’s History Month

Week 6Unit 2: Gendered Communication & Relationships
Tu 3/5 GL Ch 5 “Verbal”

Th 3/7 O Ch 3 a,b,c “Friends” – Leader 11: Olivia Harkey

B Ch 3 “Friendship” – Leader 12: Devin Liner

Week 7Leadership and Diversity

Tu 3/12 The Capacious Model of Leadership Identities – MyClasses 

Th 3/14 Women’s Leadership Identity: Exploring Person and Context in Theory – MyClasses 

Week 8  Spring Break 3/18­3/22

Week 9 
Tu 3/26 GL Ch 6 “Nonverbal”

Th 3/28 O Ch 1c “Self-inflicted,” 1d “Intoxication” – Leader 13: Taylor Wozny

B Ch 8 “Oblivion” – Leader 14: Alec Meredith 
Week 10
Tu 4/2 GL Ch 7 “Family”

Th 4/4 O Ch 2 a-d, g “Family” – Leader 15:  Becca Doleac

B Ch 2 “Sharing a Room” – Leader 16: Ashley Marshall 

Week 11
Tu 4/9 Hungry for change:  The Hunger Games’ sociopolitical impact on global audiences – MyClasses

Th 4/11 Workshop in Blackwell Center for Equity, Justice, and Inclusion
4/11­4/14  Dr. Egan and SU students at National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Atlanta

Week 12
Tu 4/16 GL Ch 9 “Close Relationships”; Exam 2 online from 4/16­ 4/19

Th 4/18 O Ch 2 f "Pregnancy," 4 a “Attraction,” 4b “Sex” – Leader 17:  Emily Rieland

B Ch 4 “First Love” – Leader 18: Emily Higgins
Week 13 Unit 3: Gendered Institutions & Dangers
T 4/23 GL Ch 8 “Education”

R 4/25 O Ch 5a “Academic” – Leader 19: Hannah Prouse
B Ch 5 “School” – Leader 20: Amanda Stephenson

 * F 4/26 SU Student Research Conference

Week 14
Tu 4/30 GL Ch 10 “Organizational Com”

Th 5/2 O Ch 5d “Faith” – Leader 21: Kevin Sheahin

B Ch 10 “Play to Win” – Leader 22: Kayd Ruggles 
Civic Engagement Due
Week 15
Tu 5/7 GL Ch 12 “Power & Violence”; Exam 3 online from 5/7­5/10

Th 5/9 O Ch 1e “Rape,” 2e “No Safe Place” ­ Leader 23: Kyan Giles 

B Ch 6 “Toy Soldiers” – Leader 24: Brendan Fagan