This project began with Professor Russworm’s proposal for the design of both a collaborative team-based research practicum on new media (which ran during the 2012-2013 school year) and a new class that she would teach at UMass in the Fall of 2013.  Both the practicum and course are called “Race, Gender, and New Media.”

The practicum is a research team that consists of Professor Russworm, Jen Malkowski (Smith College), and Five College Research Associate Maria San Filippo. The professors worked together to create the foundation for the new course.

The team also includes four advanced UMass undergraduates who have demonstrated an interest and proficiency in using digital tools: William Clifford, Rike Franklin, Zaynah Shaikh, and Martin Valendez. During the first year of the project, each of these students produced an independent project that was related to one of the project themes (race, gender, new media).  In addition to writing research papers, producing their own media, and assisting in the course’s development, these students also helped create a digital archive of interviews and other resources.

This small practicum was unique because it combined a Five College faculty partnership with undergraduate research—a rare type of collaborative endeavor in humanities disciplines.

The second part of project is the development of a new 300-level course that will be offered for 35 students, called “Race, Gender, and New Media” (English 302). The course description, links to the syllabus, and other course materials can be found elsewhere on this site.

**This project was supported by the Five College Women’s Research Center, Five College Inc., and a grant from the Andrew W. Mellow Foundation.**