Descriptor Details

  • Descriptor Title
    Introduction to Gender
  • C-ID Number
    140
  • Units
    3.0
  • Date of Last Revision
    10/12/2017 11:43:50 PM GMT+0000

General Description

Sociological analysis of the social construction of gender, masculinity, and femininity historically and cross-culturally. It examines the debates on sex and gender. It analyzes the impact of economic and political change on gender expectations and practices. It focuses on macro-analyses of how institutions shape gender and microanalyses of how individuals are socialized and how they “do” and practice gender.

Prerequisites

N/A

Corequisites

N/A

Advisories

N/A

Content

Course will include:

  1. Introduction to the Sociology of Gender and the Issues of Women and Men
  2. Major Theoretical Paradigms and Research Methods in Sociology
  3. Biological, Psychological, and Socio-Cultural Construction of Sex and Gender
  4. Gender, Agents of Socialization, the Socialization Process, and Gender Development
  5. Gender, Language, Communication, and Social Interactions
  6. Gender, Intimate Relations, Family Relations, and Lifespan
  7. Gender and the Social Construction of Sexuality
  8. Variations of Gender, Masculinity, and Femininity
  9. Economic, Racial, Ethnic, Migrant, Sexuality, and Cross-Cultural Variations
  10. Gender and Social Institutions (including Education, Politics, Religion, Work, Healthcare, Media, and the Economy)
  11. Gender Politics, Women’s Movements, Men’s Movements, and Feminist Struggles

Other topics may include:

  1. Gender, Crime, and Deviance
  2. Gender and Violence
  3. Women’s Life and Multicultural Perspectives.

Lab Activities

N/A

Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Compare and contrast sociological perspectives used to interpret gender relations
  2. Differentiate between the terms sex and gender and discuss their differences within the larger social context of gendered relations
  3. Identify the main agents of gender socialization and their impact on children’s and adults’ gender construction
  4. Describe gender ideology and practices in multiple social institutions and across cultures and societies
  5. Identify the interplay of race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality affecting gender relations
  6. Outline the process by which people negotiate power and gender boundaries through their relationships with others (including violent relationships)
  7. Identify social and political movements to change gender inequalities and gender practices

Evaluation Methods

May include:
Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises 
Research Project 
Field Journal 
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion 
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities

Textbooks

Linda L. Lindsey. Gender Roles
Kimmel and Aronson. The Gendered Society Reader
Renzetti and Curran. Women, Men and Society
Richardson, Laurel, Verta Taylor, and Nancy Whittier (eds.). Feminist Frontiers
Satow, Roberta.  Gender and Social Life

Descriptor Administration

  • Public Review Needed
    No
  • Next Descriptor Review
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Requirements for Courses
    Descriptor changes were administrative only
  • Resubmission Deadline
    No information provided
  • Comments

    May be titled as “Sex and Gender Roles”.

  • Notes

    No information provided

  • Keywords

    No information provided