Exam 1: The Study of Communication Gender and Culture

The author of your textbook talks about privileges and disadvantages that are part of her social location (and standpoint)that she did not earn and explains how they shape how she sees the world.Choose one privilege and one disadvantage that is part of your social location and explain how it shapes how you see the world.

Popular psychology books often profile the behaviors and characteristics of the "opposite sexes." Based on your understanding of material fromChapter 1,how would you critique this labeling of men and women? Make sure your answer demonstrates your understanding of essentializing,androgyny,and sex and gender.The framework for the answer to this essay may be found throughoutChapter 1.

If we break the word "feminism" down to its roots,femme and -ism,what does it literally mean?

Define the following -Content and relational levels of meaning

Define the following -Essentializing

Define the following -Intersexed

Define the following -Symbols

Yan Bing and Dianna are college students discussing how they each define "cheating" in a romantic relationship.Yan Bing considers flirting during an IM conversation cheating, but Dianna thinks cheating only involves physical contact.Later,they continue the discussion with friends over dinner.This scenario best describes which of the following?

The thinness valued as desirable and beautiful in American culture has always been the standard for attractiveness in that culture.

There are two distinct genders,female and male.

Define the following -Gender

The term "cis" has come to be used to designate a person who fits conventional gender categories.Explain how cis is used and why it is an important word.

The author of your textbook argues that while many believe that we live in a post-feminist era,in which gendered inequalities have largely been eliminated,we do not in fact live in a culture of gender equality.What reasons does she use to support her argument?

Which of the following is not one of the current meanings of masculinity in American culture?

The meaning of masculinity and femininity in our lives is affected by

What reasons does the author of your textbook provide for preferring the term "partner" to terms such as "spouse," "husband," or "wife?"

A professor says to a student,"I will not accept your paper after 5 pm today." The content level of meaning in this message is that

Gender identity is the same thing as one's biological sex.

Define the following -Sex

Androgyny is a term describing individuals who "feel their biological sex is wrong- that they are really women trapped in men's bodies or men trapped in women's bodies."