Dont Believe Everything You Think

GWS 3500: Psychological Perspectives on Gender

Department of Gender and Womens Studies Spring 2014
T 6:00-8:30pm
Dunbar Hall 3212
Instructor: Amber Depuydt-Goodlock, LMSW
Office Hours: Wednesday, 5-8pm or by appointment, Moore Hall 3047. If those hours do not work,
please contact me to make other arrangements as I work off campus Monday through Friday.
If there is anything I can do to improve your learning experience in the class, I hope you will let me
know. If something comes up that you feel uncomfortable addressing with me, please direct your
concern to the Chair of Gender and Womens Studies, Dr. Freeman at 269-387-2511. Student feedback
is valuable to GWS and every effort will be made to bring the problem to an appropriate resolution.
Phone: (Direct) 269-245-3907 If it is an emergency, please feel free to call my office phone. If I am
unavailable, please leave a message on my confidential voicemail.
Email: amber.j.depuydt@wmich.edu (email is the preferred method of communication). I will reply to
email messages (sent from your wmich.edu account) within 1-2 workdays.
Required texts:
Crawford, M. (2012). Transformations: Women, Gender, & Psychology. 2nd Ed. New York: McGraw
Hill.

Course Description:
The course investigates the meanings of gender in diverse segments of American society. Study will
focus on psychological and sociological perspectives on the formation of gender roles and
characteristics. The course provides a theoretical and practical analysis of the behavior, thoughts, and
feelings of men and women and examines the ways gender is structured through parental and
institutional socialization. Credits: 3 hours
Note: This course satisfies General Education Area III: The United States: Cultures and Issues
Organization and Teaching Format:
This course will involve a combination of lecture, online, class discussions, group work, student
presentations, and guest presenters.

GWS 3500 Syllabus

Course Goals
Acquire concepts that help explain the social
construction and significance of gender
Recognize the intersection between gender
and other markers of difference and inequality

Understand how relationships with others as

well as institutions influence the diverse ways
people experience gender

Evaluate popular beliefs and academic

research about gender difference

2
Outcomes
Students will be able to communicate how and
why gender is relevant, drawing on concepts
and information provided by course material.
Students will be able to explain how gender
always operates in conjunction with other
aspects of identity, including race, ethnicity,
nationality, class, sexuality, age, ability, size.
Students will be able to analyze a variety of
culturally specific factors shaping the
development of feminine, masculine,
androgynous, and transgender self-concepts
and identities.
Students will demonstrate critical thinking
about the gender binary, biological
determinism, and other received ideas about
gender.

Class Participation and Class Attendance

Class attendance, participation and discussion are key elements of this course, and will provide the best
opportunity for both successful course outcomes and learning. The content of this course is often
controversial, and sometimes challenges personal beliefs. An open-minded and non-judgmental
approach to class discussion is appreciated. Please participate with respect for others and differing
opinions. Refrain from using any personal electronic devices during class time unless directed (i.e.
laptops, cellphones). If inappropriately using personal electronic devices during class time/lecture,
you will be asked to leave the classroom and will receive an absence for that day. Information
covered in class is your responsibility and will be covered on exams.
Missing class, arriving late, or leaving early will limit your ability to succeed in this course. We will
start the first 10 minutes of each class with a short quiz on main concepts covered in the assigned
chapter. If you arrive late, you will be able to take the quiz but will only be allotted the time that is
remaining. For instance, if quiz starts at 8:00 and you arrive at 8:03, you will only have 7 more minutes
to complete the quiz. Quizzes cannot be made up. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped at the end
of the semester. If you have to miss class due to illness or other personal issues, you will receive a 0 on
the quiz but it will be dropped at the end of the semester. Following a verbal warning, inattentiveness in
class (sleeping, texting, etc.) you will be asked to leave and will be counted as absent for that class.
When you need to be absent, it is your responsibility to learn what you missed. Attendance/participation
and in-class assignments cannot be made up. If a life situation requires you to be absent for an
extended period, please contact the Vice President for Student Affairs at 269-387-2152.

GWS 3500 Syllabus

Policy on late work:

Assignments will be submitted to e-learning dropbox no later than 11:59pm eastern standard time on the
due date (will always fall on Monday).
Class Content and Ground Rules
In this course we will discuss psychological research and theory about women and gender. As we
critically review research, it will become apparent that this area is particularly prone to influence by
researcher beliefs and biases. Similarly, your reactions to class material may also be affected by your
own convictions. It is important to be aware of and sensitive to these reactions in yourself and in your
classmates. It is also important that everyone feels comfortable and safe in this class. Therefore, we will
observe a few ground rules in this class:
1. You have the right not share your thoughts on a particular topic if you don't want. Its fine to say
pass, let me think a little, or buzz off if you feel pressed to comment on something.
2. Class comments are confidential. You will not share personal experiences or beliefs revealed by other
class members to anyone outside of class.
3. Listen before you pass judgment. Think before you speak. It is important to respect other points of
view and to try to understand what each person believes. If you are so eager to speak that you cant
listen, write your comment down so you wont forget. Rather than stating why someones view is
wrong, try to state how your view is different. Most importantly, try to respect that difference.
4. You may at times feel uncomfortable with a class discussion. If this occurs, it is important for you to
recognize your discomfort and find a way to express it. Having a different view is not bad or incorrect.
Often the greatest learning comes from examining these differences and the feelings they engender.
**Adapted from Arnie Kahn, James Madison University
Students with Disabilities
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the professor and/or Disability Services for
Students at the beginning of the semester. The office is located at 2210 Wilbur Ave across from Rood
Hall and behind Fetzer Center. They can be reached at 269-387-2116 or TDD 269-387-2120. To set up a
disability accommodation for GWS 3500, please schedule a meeting at your earliest convenience so we
can discuss your particular needs and develop a plan suited to this class.
Academic Integrity
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the
Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include
cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and
computer misuse. (The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under Academic Policies,
Student Rights and Responsibilities.) If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic
dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to

GWS 3500 Syllabus

review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing.
You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the
submission of an assignment or test. A useful resource for learning more about plagiarism can be found
at http://library.acadiau.ca/tutorials/plagiarism.
Inclusiveness and Diversity
Western Michigan University and Gender and Womens Studies are deeply committed to creating an
environment of respect for all students. We are particularly dedicated to ensuring that the campus and
the classroom are welcoming to students from traditionally marginalized or underrepresented groups.
The university policy on diversity, as articulated by President Dunn (see
http://www.wmich.edu/multicultural/diversity.html), addresses race, ethnicity, and national and
regional origins; sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation; socioeconomic status, age, physical
attributes, and abilities; as well as religious, political, cultural, and intellectual ideologies and practices.
These issues are often central to discussion in GWS courses. Please remember that the classroom should
create space for a diversity of ideas and intellectual inquiry, always with a steadfast dedication to
discussions that are civil, courteous, and respectful. Concerns about disrespect should be addressed to
me at the earliest opportunity.
End of Course Evaluations
WMU uses the online system called ICES (Instructor and Course Evaluation System). You will receive
email notices alerting you about the opportunity to complete an anonymous course evaluation in the
final two weeks of the semester. I will be giving time at the end of the semester to complete the online
evaluation. I will notify you when the time comes of this in-class opportunity to complete the evaluation
so you can plan accordingly (bring laptop or other device). I hope you will take a few moments to
provide feedback about your learning experience. Your feedback helps me to understand what is going
well and what needs improvement. The results from the evaluations also convey information about the
quality of my work to my GWS supervisor.
Course Requirements/Assignments:
Course Assignment Summary:
1. Weekly readings (Crawford)
2. Written assignments
3. Chapter Quizzes
4. In-class group assignments
5. Group presentation
6. Examinations

GWS 3500 Syllabus

Assignments:
Writing Assignments
See Dropbox for a description and rubric for each writing assignment.
1. Reflection #1: Am I a Feminist? Reaction to Feminist Perspective Scale
2. Reflection #2: Exploring Intersectionality: Gender and Social Identities
3. Reflection #3: SpeakOUT Panel
4. Reflection #4: Am I a Feminist (Yet/Still)? Feminist Perspective Scale Post-Test
Assessments
Quizzes: (10 x 10 = 100 points)
This class will focus heavily on discussion. Therefore, it is critical that all students read the assigned
material before coming to class. To encourage this behavior, there will be quizzes over assigned
readings for each chapter at the beginning of each class. If you are more than 10 minutes late for class or
not present, you cannot take/make-up the quiz. Quizzes may be multiple choice, short answer, or some
combination of these. Each quiz will be worth 10 points and there will be 11. Lowest 2 quiz grades will
be dropped. Total Possible = 55 points.
Examinations (2 x 50 = 100 points)
There will be two examinations in this class (excluding the final comprehensive examination).
Examinations will include multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.
Final Examination (100 points) will be comprehensive. For interested students, final exams can be
mailed to you if you provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the instructor before the final exam.

Grading Scale
94-100%

515 - 550

=A

72- 77%

396 - 428

=C

88- 93%

484 - 514

= BA

68- 71%

374 - 395

= DC

84- 87%

462 - 483

=B

60- 67%

330 - 373

=D

78- 83%

429 - 461

= CB

59% or less

000 - 329

=E

GWS 3500 Syllabus

6
Class Schedule
Class schedule may be revised as needed.
Assignment/Class Content

Date

Assignments:

Module 1:
Introduction

WMU closed due to winter storm.

Introduction

Jan. 8

Jan. 14

Explore course e-learning site

Review syllabus
Complete online tutorials
Take Feminist Perspective Scale
Survey (link found under Content)
Read Ch. 1 (Crawford textbook)

Ch. 1 History of Feminism

Due: Reflection #1: Am I a

Ch. 1 History of Feminism

Quiz: Chapter 1

Jan. 21

Feminist? Reaction to Feminist

Perspective Scale
Read Chapter 2

Module 2:
Ch. 2 Sex, Gender, and Status

Chapter 2: Sex, Gender, and Status

Quiz: Chapter 2

Chapter 3: Images of Women

Quiz: Chapter 3

Jan. 28

Complete and bring to class: BEM

Gender Identity Scale (link under
Content)
Read Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Images of Women

Feb 4

Read Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Meaning of Differences

Feb. 11

Feb. 18

Chapter 4: Meaning of Differences

Quiz: Chapter 4

Module 3
Chapter 5: Sex, Gender, and Bodies
Exam #1 (Ch. 1-4)
In-class Exam #1 (Ch. 1-4)
Chapter 5: Sex, Gender & Bodies
Read Chapter 6

Feb. 25

Mar. 4

Prepare for Exam #1 (Ch. 1-4)

Read Chapter 5

Chapter 6: Gendered Identities

Chapter 6: Gendered Identities: Childhood
Due: Reflection #2- Exploring
and Adolescence
Intersectionality: Gender and Social
Quiz: Chapter 5 & 6
Identity
Review Exam #1
Read chapter 7
SPRING BREAK:
GET YOUR ASSIGNMENTS IN EARLY!

Read chapter 7 (suggestion: get a

head start on chapter 8)

GWS 3500 Syllabus

Mar.
11

Mar.
18

Mar.
25

April
1

Module 4
Chapter 7: Sex, Love and Romance
Chapter 7: Sex, Love & Romance
Read chapters 8 & 9
Quiz: Chapter 7
Guest Speaker: SpeakOUT Panel
Chapter 8: Commitments: Women & Close Relationships
Chapter 9: Parenting
Chapter 8: Women & Close Relationships
DUE: Reflection #3 - SpeakOUT
Chapter 9: Parenting
Panel
Quiz: Chapter 8 & 9
Read chapter 10 and supplemental
Small group activity
reading
Chapter 10: Work and Achievement
Chapter 10: Work and Achievement
Read Ch. 12
Quiz: Chapter 10
Module 5
Ch. 12 Violence Against Women
Chapter 12: Violence Against Women
DUE: Online Exam #2 (Ch. 5-10)
Quiz: Chapter 12
D2L Review videos and
Guest Speaker: YWCA: Domestic & Sexual
supplemental readings
Violence
Read Ch. 14
Ch. 14: Making a Difference

April
8

Group Presentations
Quiz: Chapter 14

April
15

Group Presentations
Final Exam Review

April
22

FINAL EXAM WEEK

Comprehensive Final Exam*

DUE (for scheduled presentations):

Group presentation topic summary,
and handout for students.
DUE: Reflection #4 - Am I a
Feminist? Feminist Perspective
Scale Post-Test
DUE (for scheduled presentations):
Group presentation topic summary,
and handout for students.

Final Exam
T- 7:15-9:15pm

*http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/finalexam2014spring.html
**Syllabus/class schedule may be revised as needed. Additional assignments may be assigned when

deemed necessary or helpful to understanding/exploring content brought up in class.