Step 2 – Conceptual Framework

This step is worth 15% of your course grade and will be due November 15, 2024 by 11:59pm.

In Step 2, you will present the conceptual framework of your work by explaining what threshold concepts you are using to analyze the policy or media artefact you have chosen for this project (remember that you must draw on at least 2 threshold concepts from the course).

This write-up should be approximately 500-600 words (2-2.5 pages double-spaced). For each concept, first explain the concept (write as if you were explaining it to a classmate) and then offer a brief explanation of how you see its relation to the policy or media artefact you have chosen: why is social construction of gender/sex, intersectionality, privilege and oppression, or feminist praxis important to consider when thinking about this media artefact or policy? This explanation should draw on ideas from at least two readings from this course (remember to cite your sources, including page numbers).

Please upload your assignment to in PFD format.

Term Project

Your main writing assignment for Femst 20 is a 1,500 word work(approximately 6 pages, double-spaced) analyzing either 1) a policy OR 2) a piece of media that stands out to you in the context of Femst 20. (Final work will be due Dec. 9, see "Step 3" Assignment for more details.)

Option 1) Policy analysis

Choose a policy that impacts the politics of gender. For the purpose of this assignment, you should understand policy as a law, regulation, or procedure put into place by a government, organization, or other institution. For example, your analysis could focus on a federal or state law, a workplace policy, or a school regulation, among others.

You will analyze this policy in light of at least 2 threshold concepts explored in this course. Make sure you include important background information (where and when it was implemented; who developed the policy; the context, or supposed justification for why it was needed; who is ostensibly targeted by the policy and why; if there are any penalties / repercussions for violating the policy…).

Some questions you may want to think about: how does this policy privilege certain people or groups and exclude others? How does this policy construct or prescribe gender and/or gender roles? How does this policy affect people differently when gender intersects with race, class, ability, citizenship status, sexuality, and any other mode of privilege/oppression? How might you employ a feminist praxis to change this policy?

OR

Option 2) Media analysis

Choose a media or pop culture artifact that speaks to the content of this course. This could be a TV show, film, magazine, advertisement, piece of fictional writing, music video, visual art, comic book, advice column…  You should establish a fairly narrow focus so that you can closely analyze the details of your chosen media artifact: you are not analyzing how women are portrayed in television as a whole, or the gendered dynamics of advertising overall—both of these projects would take much more than 6 pages to complete.  Instead, think of focusing on a particular ad or ad campaign, an episode from a TV show, a specific issue of a magazine, or even a scene or excerpt of a film (or something of similar scope).

You will analyze this media artifact in light of at least 2 threshold concepts explored in this course. Include relevant background information (when and where it was published / aired / produced); by whom it was created; who the target audience is…).

Some questions you may want to think about: Where do you see gender in this media artifact? How does this media artifact construct or prescribe gender and/or gender roles? How diverse are the people / communities represented in this media artifact? What type of representation is there of gender, class, race, ethnicity, ability, nationality or citizenship status, sexuality, or any other mode of privilege/oppression? What message does this media artefact send about gender? How might you employ feminist praxis to interrupt or shift this message?