Gender& Society
SOC 350
"The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn."
—Gloria Steinem
Jean-Anne Sutherland, Ph.D.
Spring 2016
Tu/Thur
12:30 – 1:45
BR 208
Graduate assistant:
Anne Rinehart
ajr1257@uncw.edu
Office: Bear Hall 220
Phone: 962-4170
email: sutherlandj@uncw.edu
Office Hours:
Tuesdays 2:15 – 3:30
Wednesday 2:00 – 3:30
And by appointment or email
Required Texts:
Kimmel, Michael. 2014. The Gendered and Society (5th edition). New York: Oxford
University Press.
Kimmel, Michael with Amy Aronson. 2014. The Gendered Society Reader (5th
edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
Suggested: The Sociology Writing Group. A Guide to Writing Sociology Papers. (7th
edition)
Course Objectives:
What sorts of social forces help to shape our gender identities? Are men and women so
profoundly different? How do perceived differences between men and women help
perpetuate inequality? How do institutions such as education, family, work, media and
politics help to shape our conceptions of gender and sexuality? How do ideas of
difference help reinforce inequality?
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Throughout this course we will address these and other questions from a sociological
perspective. We will consider cultural and biological arguments concerning gender and
sexuality. We will explore theories of gender and sexuality, as well as considering how
gender works in institutions and interactions. Through readings, discussions, videos,
speakers and activities, we will examine taken-for-granted gender “differences,” and
using a constructionist perspective, we’ll discuss the ways in which gender and sexuality
are social constructions. We will consider the expectations associated with being male
or female, and how those expectations are created and reinforced in our society.
Student Learning Objectives:
 Students will demonstrate knowledge of the diverse ways in which gender
(masculinity and femininity) and sexuality (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual,
transgendered) are experienced across cultures. Specifically, students will learn
how meanings of gender and sexuality are constructed socially and culturally.
(LDN1)
 Students will demonstrate knowledge of writings, including theoretical
perspectives of gender and sexuality from "voices" historically neglected.
Students will be able to analyze the impact of diverse groups on U.S. culture.
(LDN2)
 Students will demonstrate self-reflection and awareness about the relation of
themselves to others. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the ways in which
society (including cultural beliefs and practices) create and shape the meanings
we give to masculinity, femininity, and sexuality (heterosexual, homosexual,
bisexual, transgender). Students will show knowledge of the ways in which
privilege is constructed and maintained. (LDN3)
 Students will demonstrate knowledge of sociological theoretical perspectives and
research concerning the ways in which gender and sexuality shape identity and
life experiences. Students will be able to evaluate seemingly conflicting views on
the impact of diverse gendered or sexual selves (and, as those identities intersect
with others such as race, social class, age...) on life experiences. (LDN4)
Course Requirements
1. Participation. There is considerable reading assigned for each day. It is expected
that you complete the readings, and come to class prepared to discuss them. This
class emphasizes discussion and participation (you will receive a grade for
participation), thus you will need to keep up with the readings and be willing to talk
about them. Be in the habit of bringing your book(s) to class with you as we will
utilize them for discussion.
2. Quizzes. You will take 4 quizzes covering course material since the prior quiz. These
quizzes will be taken on Blackboard. You will have a 24-hour window during which
you can complete the quiz. You will be given 1 hour to complete the quiz. While I
cannot stop you from using your books or notes, you will not have time to complete
the quizzes unless you have studied for them. (Exception: the syllabus quiz is taken
in class on the date shown below)
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3. Discussion questions. In order to improve your preparation, and to encourage class
discussions, each student will write discussion questions related to the readings from
the Kimmel reader and bring to class on the assigned days. You will write one for
each of the readings. They should be typed – not hand written (in class that
morning!). I will collect them at the end of class.
(Days these are due are indicated on the class schedule with a *)
For full points I want to see that you have read and understood the material. I can
tell if you draw your questions from the first few pages of the readings!
Examples:
NOT discussion oriented: “What are the concepts of hegemonic masculinity?”
YES, discussion oriented: “How can the concepts of hegemonic masculinity help us
to understand the rise in school shootings?”
Or, you may refer to a prior reading:
“How can West and Zimmerman’s concept of ‘doing gender’ help to explain
Coltrane’s finding regarding the gendered division of labor in the home?”
I don’t mind if your questions allow for some personal reflection (as long as they
remain grounded in the material. That is, do not ask a question that is answered
solely through personal examples or opinion). They MUST reflect the material in
the reading:
Example: “As you read about ‘the gender police’ in schools, could you recall similar
experiences you had while in high school? If so, did the Kimmel reading help you to
make sense of that? How?”
Make sure that your question is asking us to use course material to answer it. Avoid
ending with questions such as, “What can we do to change this…?”
I will randomly call on students to share their questions with the class. Be prepared
to discuss your response to your question if called upon.
You will have 21 opportunities to turn these in – they are worth 3 points each. You
will be allowed to miss 2 of these for a total of 19.
Discussion questions are ONLY accepted IN CLASS on the day of the particular
reading.
4. Research Paper: For this class you will write a 12-15 page paper on a (approved)
topic of your choosing. It will be submitted in 3 stages: abstract; first draft; final
draft. Your abstract will be approximately one single space page and include at least
5 citations (not including your course books). Your second draft will be at least 8
(double spaced) pages and contain at least 8-10 citations. Your final draft will be 12
to 15 (doubled spaced) pages and have at least 12 citations (not including your text
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books). We will discuss the specifics of the paper in class. Save your graded work
and turn those in with each subsequent draft.
5. Group Media Project: In the early weeks of the semester you will be divided into
groups of 3. You will work together on a project concerning gendered media. Your
group will present your project to the class on the day designated for our final exam.
You will receive a group grade AND an individual grade based on contribution.
6. Free-Writing Exercises: On certain days we will begin the class with a short period
of free-writing to get our heads into the material. These will not be graded but will
be collected for check. The completion of them goes towards your participation
grade.
Grading
Your course grade will be determined by your total points on required assignments:
Syllabus Quiz
10 points
Participation
20 (based on attendance and
engagement in class discussions)
Quizzes
(4 at 50 points each)
200
Discussion Questions
(4 points each x 21)
(23 total opportunities–
allowed to miss 2)
84
Writing assignments:
Abstract:
First draft:
Final paper:
25
50
100
Group Media Project:
75
To determine your final grade, I will divide the total possible points (564) into the total
points that you earn.
93 – 100% = A
90 – 92 = A87 – 89 = B+
83 – 86 = B
80 – 82 = B77 – 79 = C+
73 – 76 = C
70 – 72 = C67 – 69 = D+
63 – 66 = D
60 – 62 = DBelow 60 = F
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Policies
Drop/Add: Last day of registration/add without a grade: January 19th. Last day to
withdraw with a W: February 26th.
Special Needs: Students with diagnosed disabilities should contact the Office of
Disability Services (962-7555). Please give me a copy of the letter you receive from
Office of Disability Services detailing class accommodations you may need. If you
require accommodation for test-taking please make sure I have the referral letter no less
than three days before the test.
For more information, go to: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/disability/
Attendance: A great deal of material is covered each day. Your grade will suffer if you
don’t come to class. It is to your advantage to trade phone numbers/email addresses
with another student so that you can obtain lecture notes should you miss a class. If you
miss a class, check the syllabus to see where you stand. Quizzes can not be made up
(unless you have an excused absence – see below), nor can you turn in discussion
questions on any day other than the day of the reading.
Make-ups: Here is my make up policy: Make-ups are given sparingly, for emergency
situations only (which requires appropriate documentation). You must contact me
BEFORE the due date either by phone (voice mail is fine if I am not in the office), or
email. If you come to me AFTER the exam or the due date, I cannot work with you on
this matter. Discussion question cannot be made up and writing assignments are due in
class on the scheduled dates. Papers turned in after class on the due date are considered
late and 5 points will be subtracted for each day that it is late (beginning after class on
that day). No paper is accepted 4 days post-due date. I do not accept emailed papers
unless special permission has been granted. Quizzes can only be made up in emergency
situations.
Athletes: Please provide me with a schedule of your games that will result in missed
classes.
Cheating and Plagiarism: Any unacknowledged borrowing of information constitutes
plagiarism. This includes summarizing someone’s ideas (including your text),
downloading internet material, direct quotations, using a classmate’s paper, or using
a paper you have submitted to another class. When you summarize someone’s ideas,
or quote them directly, you must reference it. In the event of cheating or plagiarism, a
grade of zero will be given and I have the right to report the student to the dean.
Cheating and plagiarizing are grounds for dismissal from the University.
Academic Honor Code: The University requires I draw your attention to the rules set
forth in Section V of the UNCW Student Handbook and Code of Student life, which
prohibits cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty including any
unauthorized collaboration or assistance on any test, home- work assignment, or
project: www.uncw.edu/stuaff/doso/documents/Code.Of.Student.Life.pdf.
Academic Honesty: All members of UNCW’s community are expected to follow the
academic Honor Code. Please read the UNCW Honor Code carefully (as covered in the
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UNCW Student Handbook). Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated in
this class.
Changes in Syllabus: Students are responsible for any changes in the syllabus that are
announced in class, emailed to you or posted on Blackboard.
Additional Services available to you:
Check www.uncw.edu for information about each:
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Learning Services (includes Tutoring & Learning Center and Writing
Place)
THE UNIVERSITY LEARNING CENTER
Westside Hall, first floor, office #1056
910.962.7857
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/index.htm
The University Learning Center’s (ULC) mission is to help students
become successful, independent learners. Tutoring at the ULC is NOT
remediation: the ULC offers a different type of learning opportunity for
those students who want to increase the quality of their education. ULC
services are free to all UNCW students and include the following:
--Learning Services (Basic Studies)
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/tutoring.htm
--Study Skills http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/study.htm
--Supplemental Instruction http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/si.htm
--The Writing Center http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/writing.htm
ULC operating hours: http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/uls/hours.htm
Counseling Services
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/counseling/
Disability Services
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/disability/
UNCW CARE -- If you or a friend of yours is suffering from an
assault or abuse:
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/care/index.htm
For consultation or crisis intervention services call
910-962-CARE or 910-512-4821 for after hours emergencies;
If you are in an imminently dangerous situation, please call 911
Health Promotion Services
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/healthservices/
Women’s Resource Center
http://www.uncw.edu/wsrc/
Crossroads
http://www.uncw.edu/stuaff/crossroads/
Classroom conduct and pet peeves:
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Please do not arrive late or leave early. If this absolutely cannot be avoided,
please sit near the door so that you do not disturb others.
Please do not begin to pack up in the last few minutes of class time. I will always
let you go on time, but am very distracted by the rustling of bags as I am finishing
up.
Technology notes:
o Please turn off cell phones! (that includes having them on vibrate)
o Put your phones away! Please don’t have your phones on your desk.
Please do not check messages or text during class.
o Laptops may be used in this class. Laptops will be banned from the
classroom for the rest of the semester the first time any laptop user is seen
engaging in non-classroom related activity.
While each of us has our personal opinions and reactions, we will seek to discuss
the course material through a sociological lens. A professional environment is
expected in the classroom. We will demonstrate respect for one another and for
diversity in the classroom.
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Class Schedule
Dates
Chapter/Pages
Topic
Due Dates
Week 1
Tu 1/12
Day one
Introduction to course
Th 1/14
Kimmel: Ch 1
(read the entire
chapter)
Introduction: Human
Beings: An Endangered
Species?
Syllabus Quiz
Additional reading
on BB “Gender
Policing”
Week 2
Tu 1/19
Kimmel: Ch 2
Ordained by Nature
Th 1/21
Reader (“Part 1” in
the book): Intro 910
McCaughey 11-22
Saplosky 22-26
Jackson and Rees
27-34
Anatomy and Destiny
Tu 1/26
Kimmel: Ch 3
Spanning the World
Culture Constructs Gender
Th 1/28
Reader: Intro 37-38 Cultural Constructions
Lorber 39-49
Herdt 50-64
*(3) Discussion
questions
(don't write a DQ
on the Intro to
sections)
Week 3
*(2) Discussion
questions
Quiz 1 on
Blackboard
(Open 8 AM TH
to 8 AM FRI) (1
hour to complete)
(Chapters 1-3 +
9
Readings)
Week 4
Tu 2/2
Kimmel: Ch 4
So, That Explains It:
Psyc and Gender
Th 2/4
Reader: Intro 7374; Pascoe 92-101;
Tolman 104-114
“Fag” discourse,
Adolescent Relationships,
Adolescent Girls
Tu 2/9
Kimmel: Ch 5
The Social Construction of
Gender Relations
Th 2/11
Reader: Intro 119120; West and
Zimmerman 121133; West and
Fenstermaker 134152
Additional reading
on BB:
“Intersecting
oppressions”
Doing Gender
Doing Difference
*(3) Discussion
questions
Tu 2/16
Kimmel: Ch 6
The Gendered Family
Paper Abstract
due
Th 2/18
Reader: Intro 182182
Cherlin 183-196
Stacey and Biblarz
222-240
Gendered Family,
continued
*(2) Discussion
questions
Reading on BB:
“Reel Families: The
Film clips
*(1) Discussion
question
*(2) Discussion
questions
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Tu 2/23
10
Delicate Balance of
Family and Work in
Film”
Quiz 2 on
Blackboard
(Open 8 AM
TUES to 8 AM
WED) (1 hour to
complete)
(Chapters 4-6 +
Readings)
Kimmel: Ch 7
Th 2/25
The Gendered Classroom
Week 8
Tu 3/1
Additional readings
on BB: TBA
Th 3/3
Reader: Intro 247Gender in the Classroom
248; Reay 249-259;
Martino 261-276
*(2) Discussion
questions
Tu 3/15
Kimmel: Ch 8
Gender and Religion
First draft of
Paper (include
graded
abstract)
Th 3/17
Reader: Intro 291292
Read and
Bartowski 293-
Gender and Religion
Guest speaker: Jessica
Lynn
3/7 – 3/13
SPRING
BREAK
Week 9
*(2) Discussion
questions
11
306; Sumerau 309323
Week 10
Tu 3/22
Kimmel: Ch 9
(See Additional
Reading on BB:
“Women in the
Workforce”)
Th 3/24
No Classes
Gendered World of Work
Week 11
Tu 3/29
Th 3/31
Reader: Intro 341Stalled revolution and
342; England 343- glass escalators
352; Wingfield 355367
Kimmel: Ch 10
Politics and Gender
Tu 4/5
Reader 439-430;
McGinley 458-469;
Additional BB
readings: TBA
Politics and Gender
Th 4/7
Kimmel: Ch 11
The Gendered Media
*(2) Discussion
questions
Quiz 3 on
Blackboard
(Open 8 AM TH
to 8 AM FRI) (1
hour to complete)
(Chapters 7-9 +
Readings)
Week 12
*(2) Discussion
questions
12
Week 13
Tu 4/12
Kimmel: Ch 12
Gendered Intimacies
Th 4/14
Reader 519-520;
Cancian 520-528;
Quinn 529-539
Intimacies
Tu 4/19
Kimmel Ch 13
The Gendered Body
Th 4/21
Kimmel Ch 14
CARE presentation:
“Expect Respect:
Relationship Check.”
Quiz 4 on
Blackboard
(Open 8 AM TH
to 8 AM FRI) (1
hour to complete)
(Chapters 11-14 +
Readings)
Tu 4/26
Continue
discussion of
Gendered Violence
Kimmel: Epilogue
453+
Wrap-Up
Final paper due
(Include graded
abstract and first
draft)
Final Exam
Thursday 5/5
11:30-2:30
Gendered Media
Group
Presentations
*(2) Discussion
questions
Week 14
Week 15