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SECTION I: What is Gender? Biological and Social Constructions of Femininity, Masculinity and Personhood. What are the views and stereotypes we have of members of the opposite sex? Test yourself. What do we mean by personhood? Are stereotypes being perpetuated? Prepare a list for class of all the terms used to indicate men and women that you can find (both positive and negative) for discussion in class. Definitions. |
Readings: Leonard: Ch. 1, 2 & 3 Renzetti & Curran: Part 1 Ch. 1 Films: Science of the Sexes |
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SECTION II: Perspectives of Sex and Gender. This section looks at the way gender is defined in different times and places in our society. For some this is a dark history of oppression, for others it is a history of privilege and power. Views of science and religion differ as to the place of men and women. Some feel they have been ignored and left out of history, others feel their efforts and contributions are undervalued. Social science research has produced a variety of explanations and perspectives on the topics of sex and gender. Feminist research is an important contributer to developing research subjects, theories and approaches to society. |
Readings: Renzetti & Curran: Part
1 Ch. 2, 3 Film: Killing Us Softly 3 |
| SECTION III:
Socialization: Learning Gender
Socialization consists of many influences one of the most important that we will explore is the influence of language.(speech patterns) Not just the words we use but also the way in which we use them. We are also concerned with the way in which our society values people and things and the way this is reflected in gender. The media also affect the way in which we learn what it is to be male and female in its portrayal of men and women today and in the future, especially the way in which we teach gender expectations to children. |
Readings: Leonard
Ch. 4 Films: "Tannen: He Said, She Said," "Dreamworld3 " |
| SECTION IV: Education This section will look at issues in educational opportunities for men and women and the role of formal education on the lives of men and women. Access to the same education available to men is an important issue for women in all areas of academics and sports training (Title IX). Often the contributions of women in various fields are not part of the story of the society. Test yourself. Which of these women do you know? How about history? Try this quiz. |
Readings:Renzetti & Curran:
Part 2 Ch. 5 |
SECTION V: Work This section will look specifically at issues faced by men and women on the job. It will focus on issues of adequate pay, workplace discrimination and harassment, hostile work environment and entry into the workforce. Think about the following questions: What causes sexual harassment? How can it be reduced? Are current ways of dealing with it effective? harassment suit |
Readings:Leonard
Ch. 6 |
SECTION VI: Family This section will examine family as part of the lives of adult men and women. It will focus on the roles they play as a result of family membership.
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Readings: Renzetti & Curran: Part 3 Ch. 7 |
Exam 2 and Issue 2: Wednesday , May 14, 2008
SECTION VII: Politics
and Gender Pornography: power in
sexual relationships will also be discussed. |
Readings: |
SECTION VIII: Health and Gender The issues around health are varied and often controversial especially when women seek to assert control over areas in which men feel they have an interest or will lose control in such areas as abortion, medical profession and determining parentage. One of the issues concerning women's health is spousal abuse and the way it harms women. The major question asked is "why doesn't she leave?' Research has shown that leaving a relationship is the most dangerous period for a woman and her children. Fear of disertion by the spouse can lead to violence. In making the decision to leave. |
Readings: |
SECTION IX: Gender Issues: Sexuality, Violence, Ethnicity In this section, issues around diversity in gender and the presence of violence will be discussed. gender crimes
Flowers |
Readings: Renzetti & Curran: Part 3 Ch. 9 Film: "Violence Against Women" Guest Lecturer: Karen Coffey (or her assistant) who will speak on Domestic Violence and the County Victim Witness Assistance Center. |
ESSAY DUE: Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Exam 3 Issue 3: Wednesday, June 4, 2008
