Gender and Journalism

Gender and Journalism introduces students to how one facet of our humanity—gender—has a tremendous effect on the people working in journalism; the subjects and framing of the stories they tell; and ultimately the people who consume those stories.

This engaging textbook provides a history of gender equality struggles alongside the development of news media in the United States. It provides foundational concepts, theories, and methods through which students can explore the role gender has played in news media. Promoting media literacy, the book empowers students to look at the many factors that influence stories and to become more critical media consumers and creators themselves.

While the book centers on women’s experiences in the United States, it also considers the political, economic, and cultural aspects of gender and journalism globally. It addresses experiences of LGBTQ and non-white individuals to give an intersectional context to the ramifications of gender. Students learn important concepts such as hegemonic masculinity, colorblind racism, infantilization, and the double binds and explore issues related to gender in photojournalism, sports journalism, and broadcasting.

Designed to humanize media institutions, the book highlights the lives of influential writers, journalists, activists, and media producers. Every chapter includes profiles of key journalists and activists and primary source excerpts, as well as reflection and media critique chapter-ending questions. Highlighted keywords in each chapter culminate in a comprehensive glossary. Instructor materials include suggested activities and sample quizzes.

Content Features:

Discussion of communication and media studies terms and theory

Introduction to gender studies terms and theory

Discussion of civil rights and race issues as they intersect with gender and journalism

History of first- and second-wave feminism

LGBTQ examples and history of gay rights

Dedicated chapter on masculinity

In-Text Features:

Journalist and activist profile boxes

Primary source excerpt boxes

End-of-Chapter reflection and media critique questions

Chapter keywords and cumulative glossary

Instructor Materials:

Suggested Activities

Sample Quizzes

Mary Angela Bock is associate professor in the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a former journalist (print, radio, and television) and public relations writer turned academic with an interest in the sociology of photographic practice, the rhetorical relationship between words and images, and digital media. Bock has authored the book Video Journalism: Beyond the One Man Band and co-authored Visual Communication Theory and Research with Shahira Fahmy and Wayne Wanta and The Content Analysis Reader with Klaus Krippendorff.