Week

Topic

Reading

Classroom/Homework Activities

1.

Organizing the course, introducing the subject.

You just don't understand, pp. 23-48.

2.

Functional-social view of language—an introduction to gender and communication.

You just don't understand, pp. 49-73.

3.

Elements of discourse analysis.

Gender and discourse, pp. 19-52.

4.

Rapport- and report-oriented discourse.

You just don't understand, pp. 74-95.

5.

Listening and talking in conversation.

You just don't understand, 123-187.

Your first short paper is due. Submit it to the Instructor via e-mail: [current instructor's e-mail link]. In order to improve the quality of your writing, review A Short Guide to Effective Reading and Writing.

6.

Discourse purpose and topical cohesion.

Gender and discourse, pp. 85-136.

7.

Taking turns and interrupting: patterns of dominance and control.

You just don't understand, pp. 188-215.

Talking power, pp. 198-214.

Your first oral presentation.  While preparing your own presentation it will be informative and entertaining at the same time to visit an Oral Communication site.

8.

Directness, inference, presupposition and comprehension.

Gender and discourse, pp. 137-174.

9.

Discourse styles in conflict.

Stiffed: The betrayal of the American man, pp. 102-152.

Find out what genderlect styles are.  Come prepared to discuss them in class.

10.

Ethnic style in male and female conversation.

Gender and discourse, pp. 175-194.

11.

The sex- and class-linked frames of discourse.

Gender and discourse, pp. 195-221.

Your second short paper is due. Submit it to the Instructor via e-mail: [current instructor's e-mail link].

12.

Cultural differences in gender-related aspects of communication.

 “At the crossroads of gender and culture.”

Go to Deborah Tannen's interview on what she calls "the argument culture" and read carefully the contents.

VHS 456: Gender and relationships.  See the Guidelines for watching the videos.

13.

Sexism in language.

VHS 884: Sexism in language.  See the Guidelines for watching the videos.

Your second oral presentation. 

14.

Biology, anthropology, and gender.

Sex and cognition, 127-187.

VHS 658: The developing child: Self-identity and sex role development.  See the Guidelines for watching the videos.

VHS 883: Sex and gender.

15.

Recapitulation and review.

Course Survey: Please take some time and tell us about your experience in the course.  We do appreciate the students giving us their opinions about the course.  It will help improve it and make it even more student-friendly when the course is offered again.

Make sure that you understand and that you can use in your analysis the following concepts.

Watch the videos: “He Said, She Said” and “When Harry met Sally” and note all the examples of the above concepts that you have noticed.  Your notes from the video watching will provide the basis for the review discussion in class.

Course Survey:  Go to the Assessment and Evaluation Component for this course on the College Blackboard platform, select "Course Survey" from the menu on the left and follow the instructions.