Instructor Rosalind Fisher
Office
Anthropology/Socio
Department
Building 13, Room 101
850 474-2797
Office
Hours
N/A - On-line Class
Emergency
Phone
785 766-8105
E-mail rfisher@uwf.edu
Text:
Holmes, M. 2007. What is Gender? Sociological Approaches. London: Sage
Publications.
Kimmel, M. 2007. The Gendered Society Reader. New York: Oxford University
Press.
Description:
This course provides an analysis of gender in contemporary America. We will address the changing sex roles in American society with particular attention to socialization, how men and women’s lives differ and some consequences of their sex-differentiated roles in social institutions. The main objective of the course is to provide a foundation for understanding gender roles in America.
Goals:
 To expose you to sociological perspectives about how gender related behavior and definitions of gender are shaped by particular social processes.
 To identify the connections between gender, power, and inequality.
 To develop a deeper understanding of how your sex has constrained your experience, views, choices, behavior and the structure of opportunities you encounter.
Resources:
All instructional content and interaction for this course takes place over the
WWW. If you run into any computer or software glitches or problems you can get assistance seven days a week at UWF’s computer helpdesk@uwf.edu
(850) 474-
Page 1

2075. I can not help with technical problems. Under links on the eLearning page I also provide you with study and writing help links and sociology theory sites.
In addition to basic word processing skills and sending/receiving email with attachments, students will be expected to search the internet and upload/download files. In addition, students will need the Dropdown Browser available for download from computer services in order to see incorrect quiz answers. You must install the Dropdown Browser before you take the quiz in order to see the quiz results. You may also need one or more of the following plug-ins:
Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
PowerPoint Viewer: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D1649C22-B51F-4910-
93FC-4CF2832D3342&displaylang=en
Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
QuickTime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Real Player: http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=207.188.7.150&f=windows/RealO nePlayerV2GOLD.exe&p=RealOne+Player&oem=dl&tagtype=ie&type=dl
Macromedia Flash Player: http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Versio
n=ShockwaveFlash
Special Needs:
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation to participate in this class, contact the Director of Special Student Services at 474-2387, as soon as possible. She will assist you in documenting your disability and requesting needed services.
Expectations:
I have expectations regarding student behavior and performance. Be sure you understand these!
1. Read the syllabus and course schedule and be aware of the contents and your responsibilities.
2. Meeting the deadlines is critical to your grade. Your written assignments must be uploaded to a drop box on the eLearning course webpage by 11:00 PM on
Page 2

the deadline date (usually Monday’s so you can work on the assignment over the weekend). Failing to meet the deadline will result in a failing grade for the assignment.
3. This class will use the on-line eLearning site for handouts, lecture notes, assignments, etc. Basic computer savvy and access is required.
4. My goal is to provide you with an understanding of the material. If you are having problems in the class please email me to seek help. I prefer email or the
Muddy Issues Forum on-line to telephone calls.
5. I expect you to act with honesty and integrity. The University of West Florida considers plagiarism a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Cheating and/or plagiarism will merit an automatic failing grade for this course.
Plagiarism applies to any material written by someone else. This material can be published in books, magazines, journals and newspapers. It may also include lyrics, scientific charts, graphs, and materials published on Web sites via the
Internet. When you use information from these sources you must properly cite the sources utilized. I may upload papers into the Turnitin software to verify originality.
6. Remarks of a personal and/or derogatory nature are not acceptable. No disparaging remarks will be tolerated with regard to race or ethnic background, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic background, etc.
Evaluation:
Because this course is involves independent study you will be expected to read the material on your own and then write reflection papers based on your understanding of the material. The main objective is for you to grasp the perspectives and theories as clearly as possible. You should read and summarize the theorists as if you shared their point of view and then analyze them critically.
Each Reflection Paper is a 3 - 4 page analysis of three of the assigned readings.
The two Observational Papers require you to observe and document sex/gender roles as they are enacted in our everyday lives. These papers are 3 – 5 page sociological analysis based not on what you think, but what you see occurring in particular situations that you are assigned to observe.
Introductory Discussion 15 points
On-line Profile 10 points
Reflection Paper 1: 30 points
Reflection Paper 2:
Reflection Paper 3:
30 points
30 points
Page 3

Observational Analysis I: 35 points
Observational Analysis II: 35 points
Exam I:
Exam II:
40 points
40 point
___________________
265 points total
Evaluation:
If overall average is: 90% and above will earn “A or A-”
80% and above will earn “B, B- or B+”
70% and above will earn “C, C- or C+”
60% and above will earn “D, D- or D+”
Below 60% is “F”.
No make-up assignments. There can be no exceptions to this arrangement. An exam may be made up if it is missed due to a documented illness, or emergency such as a hurricane, car accident or family death.
Page 4

Course Schedule:
Instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus and calendar for the class.
Required Reading/Viewing Week
January
January
January
February
February
February
February
March
March
March
March
Topic
Introduction
What is the sociology of gender?
How Different are Women &
Men?
Is Gender Something That
We Do?
How Can Gender Best Be
Explained?
Is Gender About Bodies?
What Are the Politics of
Gender?
How is Gender Intertwined with Class?
How is Gender Intertwined with Race?
So What is Gender?
April
April
April
April
Examinations: TBA
Page 5