GENDER AND COMMUNICATION
SPC 3711
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Florida International University
College of Architecture + The Arts
Communication Arts Department
Phone: (305) 348-4945
Professor: Dr. Nathalie Desrayaud
Email: ndesraya@fiu.edu
University Drop Date:
______________________________________________________________________________
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Intercultural/Interracial Communication for FIU
ISBN: 9780205825479
This course uses a special FIU edition e-book. You will need
to purchase an access code from the FIU Bookstore OR
directly access from the publisher, Pearson. The access code
you purchase is nontransferable and can be used only once.
Directions for how to access the e-books are on Blackboard.
Course ID#:
Pearson Website: https://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/
Pearson Help Line: 1-855-875-1797
Note Cards: A pack of 3 by 5 inch note cards is required.
Twitter Account: Announcements and reminders will
regularly be posted on twitter. If you do not already have an account, please set one up and
follow me: @DrDesrayaud.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
There are no prerequisites for this course.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Elements of our social world, such as gender or communication, cannot be understood in
isolation from the rest of our lives. Any discussion of gender and communication needs to
acknowledge that our identities are not constructed solely in terms of gender and that
communication and social-reality are interrelated. Beginning with the assumption that
communication is one means we use to construct our social reality, we will discuss a variety of
issues.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course, students will also be able to:
 Articulate how gender, as well as other aspects of our identity, affects communication,
and vice versa.
 Identify ways that communication and gender intersect across settings and contexts.
 Use academic theories, research, and popular culture to articulate the relationship
between gender and communication.
 Analyze the gendered nature of cultural narratives.
COURSE CONTENT
Reading Quizzes (15 points)
Reading quizzes will be completed on the Pearson platform. They will become available as the
required readings approach and are due before class time on the day they appear on the
schedule. Students will have 5 minutes to answer 5 multiple choice questions. Please review the
“technical difficulties” policy below in case of issues with the Pearson platform. However, the
first quiz will be completed in class. Your grade will be the average of each quiz score.
Test (10 points)
One 50-minute short-answer test will ensure that students are understanding and retaining key
course content in the first module of the semester. Students arriving late – after others have
already completed the test – will not be allowed to take the test. We will spend the rest of the
class period reviewing the answers and debriefing the relevant issues in class.
Discussion Questions (16 points)
For every reading that is due, students will write two discussion questions and bring a printed
copy of them to class. Two submissions will be randomly selected to be graded for each student.
The formatting and specific requirements of these questions will be discussed in class.
Participation (10 points)
This is an umbrella term for in-class discussion, homework assignments, and in-class activities
that will take place. Come to class on time, having done the readings, and prepared to speak.
Team Panel Session (25 points)
In teams, students will prepare a panel session based on the course topic of the week for their
scheduled date. Teams will identify a relevant communication problem, by having each student
present a short news story, article, or similar item as evidence of the problem. Teams will then
lead the class in discussion about the problem through prepared discussion questions. Finally,
teams will present their recommendations for solving the problem.
Course Connections (15 points)
In teams, students will create a visual guide which represents the relationship between
communication and gender. This guide should highlight the interconnectedness of course
concepts, and synthesize the semester’s core ideas. These will be presented in the style of a
poster presentation during the final exam period. Students will evaluate one another’s work.
Peer Evaluations (9 points)
Twice during the semester, students will evaluate their team members – once after their panel
session, and once at the end of the semester.
EVALUATION
Grade Breakdown
Reading Quizzes
Test
Discussion Questions
Participation
Group Panel Session
Course Connections
Peer Evaluations
Grade Equivalencies
/ 15
/ 10
/ 16
/ 10
/ 20
/ 15
/ 4
A
AB+
B
BC+
= 92 – 100
= 90 – 91.9
= 88 – 89.9
= 82 – 87.9
= 80 – 81.9
= 78 – 79.9
C = 72 – 77.9
C- = 70 – 71.9
D+ = 68 – 69.9
D = 62 – 67.9
D- = 60 – 61.9
F = 59.9 and below
INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES
Communication: The best way to contact me outside of class is to e-mail me (NOT blackboard,
twitter, etc.). I will respond to all e-mails within 24 hours during the week, and 48 hours over
the weekend. If I do not respond to your e-mail in a timely manner, I probably did not receive
it; send it again! If you plan to visit during my office hours, I prefer that you give me a heads up
so I can be better prepared for you. Finally, please do NOT come talk to me right before class. I
am focused on the coming lecture, and will not be able to give you my full attention.
Team Based Learning: This semester, our course will be conducted through a team-based
approach, an instructional strategy in which students collaborate in high-performance semesterlong teams. You will work closely with your team to learn course concepts and to complete
certain assignments. Teams will be assigned in the second week of classes. You will evaluate
your team members, and your grade will be partially dependent on their evaluations of you.
Attendance: Attending class provides you the best opportunity to learn and I expect you to
raise clarification questions during class discussion. If you do not make it to class, it is your
own responsibility to catch up. Additionally, please be on time to class. If you must arrive late,
do not disrupt the class. If tardiness because an issue, I will institute an early and late
attendance practice, taking away points to students who habitually arrive late or leave early.
Technical Difficulties: If you are unable to complete a quiz because of some technical or
computer error and calling the help line has not solved the issue, take a screen capture of the
problem (“print screen” button), and e-mail it to me before the due date. Make sure I can see the
full screen in your image. Without evidence that your issue is due to technology, I will not
allow you to make up missed or late work.
Meeting Deadlines: Submit assignments and quizzes on time. If you cannot hand in an
assignment, take a test, or complete any other point-earning activity on time, contact me
BEFORE the due date to make alternative arrangements. I am happy to be flexible if you act
responsibly.
Free Pass Policy: Over the course of the semester, I will give you the benefit of the doubt on one
occasion. If you miss a quiz, presentation, assignment, exam, or any other point-earning activity
without making alternative plans beforehand, and contact me within 2 days of missing the
deadline, I will give you an extension. Each student gets a single pass; use it wisely.
Grade appeal policy: If you receive a grade that you feel is unfair or incorrect, take some time
to review all relevant materials. Review assignment guidelines, course content, and the
comments I wrote on your assignment. If you still feel the grade is unfair, you can appeal the
grade, but wait at least 24 hours after you have received the grade. I will not discuss
assignment grades or test items on the day the grade is returned unless there is a simply typo or
math error on my part.
To appeal your grade, please e-mail me within fourteen days (two weeks) of receiving the
grade with an argument as to why you feel you deserve a different score. Craft your argument
carefully! If I agree with your argument, I will update your grade accordingly. If I disagree, we
can meet in person to discuss the matter further.
Class discussion policy: We will often engage in class discussion because they can be a great
learning tool as long as everyone follows these guidelines.
 Come to class prepared. If there was an assignment to be completed, it’s fair game for
me to call on you about it.
 Make sure your comments are relevant to the discussion.
 Ask for clarification when you don’t understand.
 Be prepared to explain your position when you are challenged, but try not to react
defensively; we’re all here to learn from each other.
 Treat each other with respect. Do not put your fellow classmates down.
 Be a good listener. Don’t interrupt someone who is talking.
 Come with an open mind. This will help you learn from others’ perspectives even if you
disagree.
 Be willing to change your mind and admit to errors in your reasoning or your use of
facts. It’s OK to be wrong! In fact, admitting to your imperfections is very brave.
Academic dishonesty: It will not be tolerated. This includes copying on exams, projects, and
assignments, plagiarism, and all other forms of cheating. If you are unsure whether your actions
would be considered cheating, please ask me first. Any student caught cheating in any way will
be given a failing grade on that assignment or exam and their actions reported to the Dean of
Students. If it is the second offense, the student will receive and “F” in the course, and their
actions will again be reported to the Dean of Students.
UNIVERSITY EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES
Code of Academic Integrity. The Code of Academic Integrity was adopted by the Student
Government Association. All students are deemed by the university to understand that if they
are found responsible for academic misconduct they will be subject to the Academic
Misconduct procedures and sanctions as outlined in the Student Handbook. (Check policies
online.)
Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which
demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of
Florida International University.
As a student of this university:
 I will be honest in my academic endeavors.
 I will not represent someone else's work as my own.
 I will not cheat, nor will I aid in another's cheating.
Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge
through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community
service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and to
honestly demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a
standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the
educational mission of the University. All students are deemed by the University to understand that if
they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct
procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Turnitin.com. All written assignments must be submitted to Turnitin through Blackboard by
the posted deadline. Assignments submitted by any other means or after the deadline will not
be evaluated.
Policy for Assigning an Incomplete “I” Grade. An incomplete grade is a temporary symbol
given for work not completed because of serious interruption not caused by the student's own
negligence. An incomplete must be made up as quickly as possible, but no later than two
consecutive semesters after the initial taking of the course or it will automatically default to an
"F" or the grade that the student earned in the course.
There is no extension of the two-semester deadline. The student must not register again for the
course to make up the incomplete. Students who have incomplete grades on their records must
remove the incomplete by the end of the fourth week of the term in which they plan to
graduate. Failure to do so will result in a cancellation of graduation.
Incompletes are awarded only if the student has completed most of the course work. If a
student misses a significant portion of the course work, he/she should drop the course. If the
drop period has ended, the student may petition for a withdrawal—this requires the student to
un-enroll in all of their courses for that semester.
Incompletes are not to be used because a student took on too many credits and they cannot
complete everything that is now required of them.
In such cases where the course instructor determines that it appropriate to award a student a
grade of "I" (incomplete) the following steps must be followed.
Using an Official University Form the course instructor will report the following:
• The grade earned by the student to date
• The missing work and the percentage of the final grade it represents (this requires the details
of the specific missing assignment)
• The date the instructor expects the missing work to be submitted or in the case of an
examination made up
• The justification for awarding the grade of "I"
• Have the student sign the form
• Submit this form to the Department Chair and Dean and maintain a copy for instructor
records and provide a copy for the student
• Upon satisfying the requirements for a grade the instructor will sign off on the form and
attach it to the change of grade form she or he will submit.
Disability Clause. Students with disabilities, as defined by law, have the right to receive
needed accommodations if their disabilities make it difficult to perform academic tasks in the
usual way or in the allotted time frame. In order to receive accommodation, however, students
with must register with the Disability Resource Center:
University Park Campus, GC 190
Voice: (305) 348-3532
TTY: (305) 348-3852
Fax: (305) 348-3850
Email: drcupgl@fiu.edu
Sexual Harassment Policy. Please refer to the University Policy on Sexual Harassment.
Religious Holiday Policy. The University's policy on religious holydays as stated in the
University Catalog and Student Handbook will be followed in this class. Any student may
request to be excused from class to observe a religious holyday of his or her faith.
COURSE CALENDAR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Unless otherwise noted, quizzes are based on the readings they sit next to. Readings and
quizzes are due before class time on the due date specified.
WEEK
IN CLASS
1
Course Introduction; Syllabus Quiz;
Team Questionnaire
2
Social Construction of Reality
3
Privilege & Power
4
5
6
7
Test
Definitions: Sex, Gender,
Communication
Gender Identity
Sex and Gender Theories
8
Language
9
Spring Break
10
Panel 1; Panel 2; Work
11
12
13
14
15
16
Finals
Panel 3; Panel 4; Media
Panel 5; Panel 6; Media
Panel 7; Panel 8; Friendships
Panel 9; Panel 10; Relationships
Flexibility in Gender Issues
Course Connections Poster Session
READINGS
DUE
Syllabus
“Theory” reading, available on
Pearson website
“Johnson” reading, available on
Pearson website
Quiz 2
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
“Interplay” reading, available on
Pearson website
Chapter 4
Quiz 4
“Atlantic” article available on
Pearson website
Chapter 3
Quiz 7
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Quiz 9
Quiz 10
Quiz 3
Quiz 5
Quiz 6
Peer evals
Quiz 8
Peer evals