Building a fairer and more just world requires addressing gender imbalances in our society and our media.  The Gender and Media Minor inspires and teaches Rutgers undergraduates from all majors how to recognize and tackle these imbalances.

The Gender and Media Minor provides the first-ever opportunity for students to explore both gender and the media in one interdisciplinary course of study. This innovative and transdisciplinary minor is a partnership between the Rutgers School of Communication and Information and the Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)  in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences.

Through this 18-credit undergraduate minor, students explore issues of power, justice, and equality; create media that challenges inequalities; develop their own critical voices; examine, assess, and improve gendered power dynamics in the media; study critical media/feminist theory; and acquire hands-on technical skills as a media producer. Internships are available.

Distinguished Teaching Professor of Communication and Information and director of the program Mary Chayko said, “Media play a such powerful role in our society. Through this one-of-a-kind minor, students are exploring gendered power dynamics shaped by portrayals of women in advertising, magazines, film, television, news, radio, the internet and digital media. They are using media to positively impact popular culture and promote gender equality and social justice, while gaining a sophisticated understanding of the social issues involved.”

Students begin the minor by taking a foundational course that teach them to analyze issues of power and representation within the media. They then choose two courses in media production, and two conceptual courses in critical media and feminist theory. Rounding out the minor, students produce a capstone project that helps them develop their voices and unique perspectives so as to bring real change to the contemporary media landscape. If a course overlaps with a student‘s major or another minor, it can be double counted toward their major and/or other minor.  

“This minor is relevant to nearly every job or field, as gender-based perceptions are embedded in business practices, social arrangements and work environments” Chayko said. “Students of the program are well placed to become leaders who can help to shape a fairer, more equal, and more just world,” Chayko said.

Learn more about the Gender and Media Minor at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.