SOCI 215 - Introduction to Gender Studies

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
This course examines contemporary gender relations. Roles and social expectations of boys, girls, men, women, and non-binary individuals within the broader context of “gender” are assessed. It will explore how gender and diversity shape lives within private and public spheres. Topics include class, disability, race, and sexuality.

Prerequisite ENGL 101 or permission of instructor.

Marsh, S. (2016, May 6). It’s all about the money and muscles: Men discuss what it means to be a man today. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com  

Miller, C. (2017). How to raise a Feminist son. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com  

Morgan, N. (2018). Average salaries still show gap between the sexes. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com  

Sapolsky, R. (2013). Caught between male and female. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com  

Objectives
A. Analyze various gender theories.  

B. Evaluate cross-cultural viewpoints on gender and gender relations.  

C. Examine historical and cultural diversity of gender constructs.  

D. Interpret economic and social connotations of gender constructs.  

E. Examine the ways in which gender and diversity directly influence career options.  

Content
 

A. Historical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of gender theories 

B. Primary and secondary sources examining contemporary, classic, and global  

perspectives of gender 

C. Subtopics that construct gender such as class, disability, race, and sexuality  

 

Student Evaluation
A. Class participation, journal entries, quizzes  

B. Class participation, journal entries, critical essay questions, quizzes  

C. Class participation, journal entries, critical essay questions, critical paper  

D. Critical Paper  

E. Presentation  

Bibliography
Andersen, M. & Collins, P. (Eds.). (2016). Race, class, gender: An anthology. Boston, MA:  

Cengage Learning. 

Butler, J.  (2001). Gender Trouble. Leitch, V.B. (Ed.). The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (pp. 2488-2501).  New York, NY: Norton. 

Chbosky, S. (1999). The perks of being a wallflower. New York, NY: Pocket Books.  

Marsh, S. (2016, May 6). It’s all about the money and muscles: Men discuss what it means to be a man today. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com 

Miller, C. (2017). How to raise a Feminist son. The New York Times. Retrieved from  

http://web.b.ebscohost.com 

Morgan, N. (2018). Average salaries still show gap between the sexes. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com 

Peirce, K., Bienen, A. (Writers), Peirce, K. (Director). (2000). Boys don’t cry [Motion picture].  

United States: Fox Searchlight.  

Powrie, P., Davies, A., & Babington, B. (Eds.). (2004). The trouble with men: masculinities in European and Hollywood cinema. London: Wallflower Press.  

Primamore, E. & DeLuise D. (Eds). (2011).  Literature and gender. New York, NY: Longman.   

Sapolsky, R. (2013). Caught between male and female. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com 

Simmons, R. (2002). Odd girl out: The hidden culture of aggression in girls. New York, NY: Harcourt Press.