In this course, students will learn how ideologies are coded, perpetuated and contested in everyday language. We will raise awareness about how seemingly neutral linguistic choices construct ideological meanings focusing on the discourse of sexual violence. Have you ever wondered how using the passive or active voice can allocate or obscure responsibility? In this class, students will learn how to expose and analyze those covert messages. The class will introduce the basics of multidisciplinary Critical Discourse Analysis methodologies with a hands-on approach. Using a wide range of media (written press, network news, social media, literature, graphic novels, and more) students will develop a critical toolbox to uncover the ideologies behind common-sense stances and practices around sexual violence and gendered power dynamics more generally. Open to first year frosh only.