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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC 208"
COURSE NAME: "Sociology of Sex and Gender"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Friedman
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 1:40 PM-3:30 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to the sociological study of sex and gender. We will examine the ways in which sex and gender are socially constructed and the role that they play in shaping major social institutions—i.e. the family, economy, education, media, government, politics, etc. We will investigate gendered approaches to understanding society and how they differ from other sociological perspectives. We will deepen our appreciation of the problems of inequality, power, and privilege, by exploring how other factors, such as race and class, intersect with sex and gender. We will take a cross-cultural approach by considering these issues within different societies.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The purpose of this course is to help students develop a social scientific, as opposed to individual, personal, and psychological, approach to understanding sex and gender. It begins with an exploration of Marxist, feminist, and social constructivist perspectives. The course then moves into a study of sub-themes that are particularly relevant in the contemporary period. These include problems of economic and political inequality, gender in the household and the workplace, the creation and policing of masculinity, femininity, and heteronormativity, the role of sex and gender in K-12 education, the impact of powerful cultural institutions such as the media and religion on men and women, sexuality in the family, the experiences of individuals who are transgendered and intersexed, the social construction of gender in non-Western societies (with Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia serving as mini-case studies), and the intersection of sex and gender with race. The course promotes an evidence-based approach, with the emphasis placed on a consideration of data and conclusions elaborated by scholars. A significant portion of the class is devoted to a discussion and analysis of readings. Additional class materials, such as recent census data, relevant news stories, and public commentary, will encourage students to apply what they are learning to the analysis of current events.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the social construction of gender
  2. Identify how social institutions shape the meaning and role of sex and gender in society
  3. Understand the ways in which social conditions differ for men and women, creating inequalities
  4. Describe the relationship between sex, gender, and aspects of other forms of social identity, including race and class
  5. Recognize cultural variation in sex and gender, including differences between Western and non-Western societies
  6. Compare and contrast theoretical approaches to the study of sex and gender
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Gendered Society Reader, 4th EditionMichael Kimmel and Amy AronsonOxford University Press978-0-19-973371-2     
Gender Roles, 6th EditionLinda LindseyRoutledge978-0205899685 Optional Reading   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Men in Crisis in Russia: The Role of Domestic MarginalizationSarah Ashwin and Tatyana LytkinaGender and Society, v. 18, n. 2 April 2004   

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Exams 2There will be two essay-based exams over the course of the semester. You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of the course material and ability to apply concepts and evidence in unique ways.60
Reading Responses, Reading Quizzes, In-Class Conceptual Activities, In-Class DiscussionsEach class session students will complete in-class activities. These will include reading quizzes, think-pair-share discussion, film reflection worksheets, and concept mapping exercises, among other things. Quizzes are graded on a point scale from 0-100. Students will receive full credit for other, non-graded activities so long as they come to class prepared and thoughtfully complete in-class work.30
   
Attendance◦ Attendance in mind and body is required. According to JCU’s official policy, more than two absences will result in the lowering of your grade.10

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
ADemonstrated in-depth understanding of course material and ability to apply concepts and work with evidence in novel ways
BClear and articulate understanding of course material, including ability to utilize concepts and evidence with regards to cases/examples reviewed in class
CRudimentary knowledge of course material, but without demonstrated ability to apply concepts and use evidence
DLess than rudimentary knowledge of course material
FLittle to no knowledge of course material

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE


Week 1 Sociological Perspectives on Sex, Gender, and Sexuality 


Reading Required: Selections from “Family, Private Property, and the State,” F. Engels

“A Vindication of the Rights of Woman,” M. Wollenstonecraft

“Great Divides: The Cultural, Cognitive, and Social Bases of the Global Subordination of Women,” CF. Epstein (Kimmel and Aronson)

Doing Gender,” C. West and D. Zimmerman (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Men as Women and Women as Men: Disrupting Gender,” J. Lorber (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Beards, Breasts and Bodies: Doing Sex in a Gendered World” R. Dozier (Kimmel and Aronson)

Reading Optional: Ch. 1 “The Sociology of Gender: Theoretical Perspectives and Feminist Frameworks” Lindsey

Ch. 2 Gender Development: Biology, Sexuality and Health, Lindsey

Ch. 3 Gender Development: The Socialization Process, Lindsey

Film: Osama by Siddiq Barmak

Week 2 Marriage and Family
 
Required Reading: “American Marriage in the Early Twenty-First Century,” A. Cherlin (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Household Labor and the Routine Production of Gender” S. Coltrane (Kimmel and Aronson)

“(How) Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter” J. Stacy and T. Biblarz (Kimmel and Aronson)

Optional Reading: Ch. 7 Gendered Love, Marriage and the Family, Lindsey

Ch. 8 Gender and Family Relations, Lindsey

Week 3 Gender, the Economy, and Class

Required Reading: “Labor Markets as Queues: A Structural Approach to Changing Occupational Sex Composition”, B. Reskin (Kimmel and Aronson)

“The Glass Escalator: Hidden Advantages for Men in the ‘Female’ Professions,” C. Williams (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Before and After: Gender Transitions, Human Capital, and Workplace Experiences,” K. Schilt and M. Wisswal (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Men in Crisis in Russia: The Role of Domestic Marginalization,” S. Ashwin and T. Lytkina

Film: Boys Don’t Cry by Kimberley Pierce

Week 4 Gender, Media, and Education


Required Reading: “The Trouble with Black Boys: The Role and Influence of Environmental and Cultural Factors on the Academic Performance of African American Males” P. Noguera (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Spice Girls, Nice Girls, Girlies, and Tomboys: Gender discourses, girls' cultures and femininities in the primary classroom,” D. Reay (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Cool Boys, Party Animals, Squid and Poofters: Interrogating the Dynamics and Politics of Adolescent Masculinites in School,” W. Martino (Kimmel and Aronson)

“Growing Up in the Culture of Slenderness: Girls’ Experiences of Body Dissatisfaction,” S. Grogan (Kimmel and Aronson)

Optional Reading: Ch. 4 Gendered Language and Socialization, Lindsey

Ch. 11 Education and Gender Role Change, Lindsey

Ch. 13 Media, Lindsey


Week 5 Power, Politics, and Religion


Required Reading: “The Unexamined Brutality of the Male Libido,” S. Marche

“Repressive Political Agenda of the ‘Sexual Harassment’ Campaign Comes into Open,” D. Walsh

“Sexual Harassment and Masculinity,” B. Quinn

“To Veil or Not to Veil?” J. Read (Kimmel and Aronson)

Film: Offside by Jafar Panahi

Optional Reading: Ch. 9 Men and Masculinity, Lindsey