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Soc/WS 316 Syllabus
Fall 2015
TR 13001450 // FH 177
Contact Information
Instructor
Lori CortezRegan, MA Office Hours: T & TH 8:309:30 and by appt
Lecturer BSS 518D
Department of Sociology Phone Number: 7078265421
Email:
Lori.Cortez@humboldt.edu
**Email is my preferred form of
communication**
Course description:
We are gendered beings that produce on a daily basis the gendered institutions in which we
interact. These institutions proliferate particular intersections of gender, race, class, ability and
age that reproduce inequalities. This is the sociological perspective. This framework and the
related theory are supported by overwhelming volumes of research, much of which has been
compiled within the last 30 to 50 years. This particular social configuration is not inevitable –
but it is recalcitrant. In this class we will explore sociological perspectives on gender, gender
identity, gender differentiation and stratification. We will also challenge the notion of gender as
being a twobox binary system, but rather think of it as a spectrum that we move along,
depending on when and where we are in our life experience. Our course goal is for you to
develop a nuanced understanding of gender informed by research that allows you to take
personal and political action for a more just world.
Official Catalog Description: Nature of gender dynamics linking personal experiences to the
structure and functioning of institutions, to cultural/subcultural aspects of society, and to
interests of the powerful. [DCGd.]
The format of this course is lecture, discussion, peer learning, personal & group activity.
Required and recommended texts, readers, or other reading materials for this course
include:
Boylan, Jennifer Finney. 2003. She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders. New York:
Broadway Books.
Mock, Janet. 2014. Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So
Much More . New York: Atria Books.
Wade, Lisa and Ferree, Myra Marx. 2015. Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions.
New
York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
See our Moodle Web Site for Oncores Link to access additional articles.
Other necessary equipment/materials/fees
Access to computer or computer lab to access material from Moodle site.
Journal or notebook dedicated to this course.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, you should be able to demonstrate the following course learning
outcomes, as well as progress toward final department and universityrelated learning
outcomes:
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
Provide a critical conceptualization of “gender.”
Understand yourself and others through a more nuanced gender lens.
Discuss and critique theories of gender difference including biological, psychological,
social constructionist.
Explain several theories of gender stratification.
Understand the intersections of race, class, gender, ability, age, and so forth as they
intersect with the family, education systems, workplaces, romantic relationships and
friendships.
Engage in discussions of violence that draw on sociological theories of gender
stratification.
Apply sociological theories of gender to artifacts and events in the social world.
Department Learning Outcomes Identified in this Course
Think critically about social justice efforts and inequalities in communities.
Develop a solid foundation in sociological theory.
Make linkages between empirical data and theoretical concepts.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
University Learning Outcomes
While this course in many ways contributes to all the university learning outcomes, it most
centrally contributes to your ability to demonstrate:
Effective communication through written and oral modes.
Critical and creative thinking skills in acquiring a broad base of knowledge and applying
it to complex issues.
Competence in a major area of study.
Appreciation for and understanding of an expanded world perspective by engaging
respectfully with a diverse range of individuals, communities, and viewpoints.
Course Objectives for DCG:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyze the complexity of diversity
through the perspective of Differential Power and Privilege, Identity Politics, and/or Multicultural
Studies.
Grade Considerations:
Components and Weight
Attendance & Participation (10%)
Be in class. Be prepared. Participate. Facilitate. You are expected to read and understand
the class “Ground Rules” posted on our Moodle site.
This course will require your full participation and engagement in order to be interesting and
productive for all of us. I will take attendance at every class meeting. Although I appreciate
you letting me know when you will not be in class, I do not give “excused” absences.
I recognize that sometimes it is unavoidable that you miss a class, so your first two
absences are “free” – if you have two or fewer days absent at the end of the semester, you
will get a 100 for the attendance portion of your grade. After that, your grade for attendance
will drop by five points for each additional absence. If you are sick and miss more than two
classes, please get a doctor's note and I will excuse the extra days of absences no one
wants you to come to class sick!
It is your responsibility to get missed notes and information from a classmate and to check
the class website for assignment updates. An absence will not be considered an excuse for
late work or coming to class unprepared. I encourage you to talk with me if there is a
particular situation that requires your prolonged absence from class.
Homework (25%)
Once or twice a week you will be asked to complete a short homework assignment. These
homework assignments will range from discussion questions related to the reading, a
response to a reading or film we have previously discussed or watched, a summary and
questions or topics that you would like to discuss in class, or a jigsaw exercise, including
thoughtful evaluations of peer performance in jigsaw activities.
Reading summaries will be completed as 321 assignments.
A 321 assignment includes reading the assigned chapters and/or articles and then writing:
● 3 most important points in the readings
● 2 things you would like to know more about
● 1 classroom discussion question
These assignments will be an opportunity for you to practice your writing skills as well as to
communicate directly with me and for me to give you direct feedback.
They will be graded with a check (satisfactory), check plus (exemplary), or check minus
(unsatisfactory). You will receive a 100 for your homework grade if you receive a check on
each one. Those with check minus will give you only half credit.
Late homework assignments will automatically receive a check minus. I will count an
assignment as turned in the day you email it to me but will not record a grade until you give
me a hard copy.
Oral history interview (15%)
You will be asked to interview an elder relative, friend or acquaintance about how gender
roles as well as structures have changed during their lifetime. More details will be
provided on Moodle and during class.
Exams (25%)
You will take two takehome exams that may include multiple choice, fillintheblank, and/or
T/F questions, as well as short answer and essay questions based on your readings, lecture
and class discussions. You can best prepare for the exams by keeping up with the reading,
actively participating in discussions & taking good notes.
Final Paper (25%)
In lieu of a final exam, you will write a final paper comparing and contrasting to gender
transitions and discussing issues of intersectionality.
More details can be found on our class Moodle page.
Grading Scale
A = 93100 % A = 9092 B+ = 8789 B = 8386 B = 8082 C+ = 7779
Tentative Course Schedule, Fall 2015
***I reserve the right to adapt this schedule if necessary
◆ = Reading found on Oncores
Dates: Class Focus & Quizzes & Assignments Due
Readings to be
Discussed
Week 1 Introduction
8/25 Introductions; Class Rules
& Expectations
Week 2 Gender 101
Week 3 Masculinities
Week 4 Femininities
Week 6 Change
Week 7 Families
Week 8 Work
Week 10 Gender NonConforming
Children
Week 11 Campus Dialogue on Race
11/3 ● “Trans: The Movie”
11/5 ● Discussion panel
Week 12 Sexualities
Week 13 Intersectionality
Week 14 Fall Break
11/2311/27
Week 15 Intersectionality
Week 16 Intersectionality