Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Department & Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Challenge Policy
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
Social Sciences—SOCSC140
Contemporary Women
None
*HOURS BY ARRANGEMENT:
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours By Term
Lab Hours By Term
*Hours By Arrangement
Units
18
54
3
Hours per term.
ACTIVITIES: (Please provide a list of the activities students will perform in order to satisfy the HBA requirement):
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course emphasizes investigating and understanding the situation of contemporary women, including discussion
of issues as they relate to race, culture, and ethnic diversity. The dynamics and impact of sex role socialization,
institutional, and political structures on women will be analyzed. Current issues and trends that affect women in
today’s society will be introduced and studied.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
Identify and discuss the many dimensions of women’s lives (e.g., women’s work, family roles, political behavior,
and legal status today) with special emphasis on how their lives are shaped and determined by a patriarchal society
as well as the socialization process.
Utilize the social science literature pertaining to women both in the United States and internationally.
Examine trends and controversial issues raised by the Women’s Movement from a political, sociological, and historical
perspective.
Differentiate schools of contemporary feminist thought (e.g., liberal, Marxist, and radical).
Discuss current issues and policies that affect and/or are pertinent to women’s lives (public and private sphere) explored
from the perspective of different racial/ethnic groups and different political/economic/social systems.
INTENDED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic research methods in sociology.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the concept of gender.
COURSE CONTENT (Lecture):
Historical Viewpoints
1.
Gender Ideology
2.
Socialization (both women and men)
3.
Gender roles and stereotypes
4.
Laws and policies
Sociological Attitudes
1. Sexism and media exploitation
2. Ethnic and cultural values
3. Female/Male relationships
4. Violence against women
5. Ageism and sexual identity
6. Power and dependency
Women’s Movement
1. Equal rights (ERA)
2. Family policy
3. Women in the work-place
4. Traditional roles and the changing family
Working towards change
1. Mutuality between women and men
2. Utilizing the political machine
3. Organize for change
4. Develop and international awareness
COURSE CONTENT (Lab):
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lecture
Discussion
Audio-visual presentations
Guest speakers from various cultural backgrounds
Selected readings
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
NOTE: To be UC/CSU transferable, the text must be dated within the last 7 years OR a statement of justification for a text beyond the
last 7 years must be included.
Textbook Title: Sex and Gender in Society: Perspectives on Stratification
Author: Joyce McCarl-Nielson
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
Textbook Reading Level:
Justification Statement:
Waveland
2nd Edition/2008
College
(For textbook beyond 7 years)
Lab Manual Title (if applicable):
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
OUTSIDE OF CLASS WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS:
Title 5, section 55002.5 establishes that a range of 48 -54 hours of lecture, study, or lab work is required for one unit of credit.
For each hour of lecture, students should be required to spend an additional two hours of study outside of class to earn one
unit of credit.
 State mandates that sample assignments must be included on the Course Outline of Record.
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
-
3
Example #1 – Read Chapter 1 in the textbook.
Example #2 – Read Chapter 2 in the textbook.
Weekly Writing Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
-
2
Example #1: Write a minimum of two pages reaction paper essay to Chapter 1.
Example #2: Write a minimum of two pages reaction paper essay to Chapter 2.
Weekly Math Problems (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Lab or Software Application Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
Other Performance Assignments (Include detailed assignment below, if applicable)
1
- Watch films at home or in the media center.
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
 Course must require use of critical thinking, college-level concepts & college-level learning skills.
 For degree credit, course requires essay writing unless that requirement would be inappropriate to the course objectives. If writing
is inappropriate, there must be a requirement of problem-solving or skills demonstration.
34 % Essay (If essay is not included in assessment, explain below.)
66
%
%
%
Computation or Non-computational Problem Solving Skills
Skills Demonstration
Objective Examinations
Other (describe)
%
%
GRADING POLICY: (Choose LG, P/NP, or SC)
Pass / No Pass
X Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass
Prepared by: J. Vern Cromartie
Date: April 29, 2014
Revised form 01/14
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Pass
Below 70% = No Pass