COMM2216 · Complex Problems and Enduring Questions

Growing Up Gendered: Contemporary Media Representations 

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

This is an Enduring Question course and is open to FRESHMEN only. You must take both COMM2216 and SOCY1708. How is our gendered identity constructed? These paired courses analyze how societal norms shape gender roles by examining the impact of family, educational settings, media representations, and social interactions that further understanding of gender identity and sexual orientation. TV shows, movies, ads, and online platforms are assessed. These courses explore how gender intersects with factors such as sexuality, race, and social status, and their impact on gender identity. Issues related to gender-based violence are also examined. By engaging in group discussions, lectures, and innovative assignments that draw from fields including communication studies, sociology, and psychology, students gain a deeper understanding of how gender roles are constructed.