From the recent political debates about women’s health to the popularity of television programs such as Jersey Shore and Toddlers in Tiaras, it is clear that Sex, Sexuality, and Gender play a large role in contemporary American culture. These dynamics are interwoven in every media source we consume on a daily basis, often to such an extent that we are not aware how the portrayal of these issues can shape identity and public opinion. In this course, we will look at texts, video, and images to answer the following questions: How does the portrayal of gender shape “normal” behavior? How is sex used and misused to sell products? How do gender dynamics play out in television/film? In the news? In advertisements? How does media affect our preconceptions of gender and sexuality, and how do our preconceptions affect how we approach media?