Women & Men in Contemporary Society

SOC 223/WMST 223, Section 001

Fall 2001

Required Texts:

Disch, E. 1997. Reconstructing Gender: A Multicultural Anthology, 2^nd edition. Mountain

View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Kimmel, Michael S. 2000. The Gendered Society. New York: Oxford University Press.

Course Description:

This course is designed to familiarize you with an overview of men's and women's roles in society, particularly focusing on their roles in the economy and the family. Explanations for and the outcomes of our gendered society will be discussed in some detail, including the politicization of gendered concerns and gendered violence.

Course Objectives:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of such concepts as gender, discrimination, feminism, and patriarchy.

2. Display basic knowledge of gender's significance in U.S. history, culture, and social structure.

3. Demonstrate critical thinking about the dialogue emerging from different theories and perspectives pertaining to gender, race, class, and sexuality.

4. Apply concepts from personal and/or family experience to analyze gender as a form of human mutuality that must be understood to enhance the common good.

Course Outline:

The course is loosely divided into three substantive areas:

Part I: Why are men and women different?

The title for this section of the class presupposes that men and women are different and that we can explain those differences using biology, psychology, or sociology. We will discuss some presumed differences between men and women and test the various theories for their accuracy and appropriateness.

Part II: How are men and women different?

We begin the second part of the class by asking IF men and women lead different lives. To do this, we will contrast women's and men's experiences in three important social institutions: the family, the economy, and the educational system. By the end of this section we should have a clear understanding of the sociological differences between men and women.

Part III: What is the outcome of gender differentiation?

In the final section of the course we will delve more deeply into the implications of gender differentiation by focusing on some of its violent and nonviolent outcomes: sexual assault, domestic violence, compulsory heterosexuality, and interpersonal relations. Finally, we will discuss strategies for addressing these outcomes of sexism.

Course Requirements:

Exams: There will be 3 exams in this class designed to evaluate your understanding of material from each of the sections of the class. Each exam will contain a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and long answer essay questions. Exams will not be comprehensive. Each exam will be worth 100 points.

Research Paper: You will also be expected to complete a short research paper (3-5 pages) on a topic identified by the instructor. Your paper will be worth 50 points. More information will be distributed regarding paper expectations later.

Group Presentations: You will be working in groups of 3-4 individuals to prepare a 15-20 minute research presentation on a designated topic. You must incorporate class materials and at least 3 additional scholarly resources into your presentation. Finally, you must develop 2-3 discussion questions which can generate class discussion following the presentation. Your grade for this project will be a group grade; if you believe members of your group did not participate fully in the preparation or delivery of the presentation you should talk to the instructor BEFORE the presentation. Each presentation is worth 50 points. To receive credit you must turn in ONE complete GROUP bibliography, a detailed presentation outline, and the discussion questions on the day of the presentation. The group presentation topics are:

Journal entries: You will be expected to thoughtfully and analytically respond in writing to 10 readings/discussions during the semester. You may choose the topics for these entries, although the instructor will post questions periodically during the semester to give you ideas. These responses should take the form of 2-3 paragraphs and will be due on the dates listed in the course schedule. Each entry is worth 10 points. Purely descriptive entries will not be accepted.

Class Participation: This course is set up to provide every student with ample opportunity to discuss topics of their choosing. In addition, in order to be an informed participant in class discussion you will need to have completed the assigned readings in a timely manner. To reward those individuals who contribute in a consistent and cogent manner you may earn up to 20 bonus class participation points. Keep in mind, however, that this does NOT mean you are expected to dominate every discussion to receive credit, and you MUST abide by the class ground rules to receive full credit. A significant number of class absences will also count against class participation points.

Course Ground Rules:

Class discussion, at times, may involve controversial issues. Students are expected to listen to the viewpoints expressed by others. If you disagree with what someone has said, you are encouraged to express your disagreement but you must do so in a civil manner. Failure to treat other individuals in the course with dignity and respect will result in zero (0) class participation credit and may result in additional course sanctions. This is not an attempt to create an atmosphere of political correctness; rather, the goal is to establish a norm of open dialogue in which opinions may be expressed and mutually discussed.
Further, as a class we must acknowledge that racism, sexism, classism, ageism and homophobia exist. One of the outcomes of the existence of these oppressions is the potential for learning misinformation about groups that are different from ourselves. We have an obligation, as a class, to learn from each other, to learn about ourselves, and NOT to continue to repeat misinformation after we have learned otherwise.

Finally, there may be occasions during the semester when an individual will make a comment that they will want to keep within the confines of the classroom. Please respect their privacy and do not repeat any personal discussions that may arise in the classroom.

Course Policies:

1. Grades: Final grades are determined by combining all points earned and referring to the following scale:

A = 447-500 points

B = 397-446 points

C = 347-396 points

D = 297-346 points

F = fewer than 297 points

2. Pass/Fail: Individuals who choose to take this class Pass/Fail will need to get a C or better out of the course to receive a grade of Pass.

3. Incompletes: Grades of incomplete will be solely at the discretion of the instructor.

4. Make-ups: In-class activities, including presentations, can not be made up. Make-ups of exams may be allowed if the student provides a written excuse from a qualified professional. Late papers and journal entries lose 10% of their worth each day they are late.

5. Cheating/Academic Dishonesty: COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS REGARDING PLAGIARISM AND OTHER FORMS OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL BE UPHELD IN THIS COURSE. If you are not familiar with the definitions and consequences of cheating or with your rights, refer to your Student Handbook or see an academic advisor.

ANTICIPATED COURSE SCHEDULE K= Kimmel D= DischDate Topic Assignment Assigned Reading

Week of 8/20 Introduction: Defining Sex & Gender K: Ch 1; D: Intro, pp 21-24

Week of 8/27 Biology is Destiny Group 1 (8/29) K: Ch 2; D: Ch 2, 49, 50

Week of 9/3 Biology and Destiny Around the World No class 9/3; Group 2 (9/5) K: Ch 3; D: Ch 3, 14

Week of 9/10 The Psychology of Gender Journals 1-3 due 9/14 K: Ch 4; D: Ch 4, 15

Week of 9/17 The Social Construction of Gender Group 3 (9/19) K: Ch 5; D: 6, 7, 9, 11

Week of 9/24 Review; The Gendered Family EXAM 1 (9/24) K: Ch 6; D: 32, 33

Week of 10/1 The Gendered Family, cont. Group 4 (10/3) D: Ch 36, 37

Week of 10/8 The Gendered Classroom Group 5 (10/10) K: Ch 7; D: Ch 8, 39, 41

Week of 10/15 The Gendered Classroom, cont. Journals 4-6 due 10/19 D: Ch 38, 42

Week of 10/22 The Gendered Workplace Group 6 (10/24) K: Ch 8; D: Ch 43-44, 47

Week of 10/29 Fall Break! Be Safe!

Week of 11/5 Review EXAM 2 (11/5); Library Research (11/9)

Week of 11/12 Gendered Communication Paper Abstract due 11/12 K: Ch 9; D: Ch 16, 23-24, 26

Group 7 (11/14)

Week of 11/19 Sexuality and Sex/Gender Journals 7-9 due 11/21; K: Ch 10; D: Ch 13, 20, 27, 31

No Class 11/23

Week of 11/26 Gendered Violence Group 8 (11/28) K: Ch 11; D: Ch 55-58

Research Paper Due (11/30)

Week of 12/3 Degendering Society: The right goal? Journal 10 due (12/7) K: Epil.; D: Ch 60, 63-64

Wednesday, 12/12, 7:50-9:50 a.m. FINAL EXAM