Gender, Media, and Technology: Feminist Perspectives on Digital Culture

How we see ourselves and others is increasingly shaped by the media we consume and the digital platforms we use daily. This introductory text-only course explores the intersection of gender, media, and technology, offering a clear framework to analyze how digital spaces both reinforce and challenge social norms. You will transition from a passive consumer of digital content to an active, critical analyst of modern media landscapes. Through written readings, theoretical breakdowns, and structured analysis exercises, you will learn to dissect representations of race, class, gender, and sexuality across various formats, from traditional journalism to social media algorithms. What you'll learn: Understand foundational feminist media theories and key concepts in gender studies; Analyze representations of gender, race, class, and sexual identity in modern digital media; Critique the role of algorithms and AI in perpetuating or challenging social biases; Examine how authorship, spectatorship, and audience participation function in online spaces; Evaluate the impact of digital activism and feminist collaborations in technology; Apply intersectional analysis to everyday media, from news articles to social platforms. The curriculum starts with essential terminology and foundational frameworks of gender studies and media theory before moving on to practical media analysis. From there, you will explore real-world digital environments, studying how modern platforms, algorithms, and content creators influence cultural narratives. This course is designed for beginners, writers, and anyone interested in the social impact of technology, with no prior academic background in gender studies required. Start reading today to build a sharper, more critical understanding of our digital world.