ASSIGNMENT # 1:

Watch the film Tough Guise 2 – and respond to the study guide questions below in preparation for upcoming quizzes and exams.

Tough Guise 2 Study Questions:

Respond to one or more of the following discussion prompts, in a post of 300+ words or more.

• Does Katz’s observation that men and boys are responsible for the vast majority of violence in America imply that most men and boys are violent? Why or why not? Explain.
• How does homophobia function in all of this? What about sexism? Do you see a common thread between how homophobia and sexism work to keep young men in line with cultural norms of manhood?
• Do you think Katz’s point is that boys and men are exposed to violence in media and then simply imitate it? Or is he saying something else here? Explain.
• What does the culture teach young men and boys about what it means, and what it takes, to be a real man? And what does it teach them about what it means when you don’t live up to this ideal?
• While Katz is talking about masculinity, race, and ethnicity, he also seems to be talking about class. What’s he saying about how class and economic status can factor into men’s identity and violence?
• When you think about young boys being exposed to these accelerating levels of violence – whether it’s in movies, video games, or porn– what kinds of messages about manhood do you think they’re absorbing? What kinds of messages about women? About femininity?
• What are some of the reasons that have been given for why men in America are experiencing a “crisis in masculinity”? Do you agree with these assessments?
• What’s the link Katz draws between extremist political movements and manhood?
• If men and boys are so often the victims of male violence, why do you think so many people call it male bashing to call attention to men’s violence?

RUBRIC:

A full-credit reflection will Include the following elements.

1. A thoughtful reflection of at least 300+ words, relating directly to one or more of the discussion prompts provided below.( Discussion prompts used must be bolded so that they are easy to spot within your post, and you may not count the words in the prompts themselves toward your minimum word count.) = up to 35 Points
2. Two classmate responses of at least 100+ words each, saying something meaningful that *furthers the discussion.* = up to 15 Points

• • Start your responses with a friendly greeting that includes your classmates’ name.
  • Make your first response on a post that doesn’t have any responses yet.

You will be able to see your classmates’ posts once you have posted your own reply.

Assignment #2

Topic Discussion – Children and How the Media Teaches Gender Roles

11 unread reply.11 reply.

DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT:

Watch the (REQUIRED) film Tough Guise 2 and this short video:

Write a reflection framed by any or all of the discussion questions below:

Discussion Questions:

1. What most surprised you from either of these films?

2. What are some stereotypical stories media tell about girls? What are some
stereotypical stories media tell about boys? Give some examples of each.

3. Find an example of a piece of media that targets children, and embed it into your discussion response. Then reflect upon how it communicates gender roles to boys and/or girls and what they might learn from it.

6. Anything else you’d like to add about these films?

Feel free to embed media examples that illustrate your points.

When you have finished your reflection, comment in a friendly and meaningful way that adds something to the conversation on at least two of your classmates’ posts. Be sure to start your comment with a greeting that includes that classmate’s name, and leave your first comment for a post that hasn’t received any comments yet.

You won’t be able to see anyone else’s posts until you first leave your own.

Rubric:

Short film reflection of 300 words or more addressing any combination of the questions above. = 15 points

Meaningful/substantial comments on at least two classmates’ posts. = 10 points