PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN
Fall 2008
TTh 9:00-10:20AM
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS:
OFFICE PHONE:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
WEB SITE:
Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D.
RS 279
12-1 PM MW and 10:30-11:30AM TTh
(916) 558-2154
pitmang@scc.losrios.edu
http://web.scc.losrios.edu/pitmang
Course Outline
This course is intended to introduce you to various perspectives, theories, research, and
sociopolitical issues pertaining to women and gender. Our perspective in this course rests
upon the assumption that psychology is a discipline that is not purely objective, but rather
is strongly influenced by power, history, and culture. Throughout the course, we will
focus on a variety of topics including gender stereotypes and their connections to sexism,
gender roles and expectations, biological bases of sex, gender throughout the lifespan, the
physical and mental health of women, women and work, and violence against women.
As we discuss these topics, we will consider the interplay between gender and race,
ethnicity, class, age, sexual orientation, and physical and mental ability. By the end of
the course, you should be able to demonstrate an understanding of feminist theory and
apply it to a range of gender-related issues, and you should be able to critique traditional
theories and research pertaining to gender.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
 demonstrate knowledge of the key research findings that pertain to the
psychology of women.
 compare and contrast traditional and feminist psychological theories of gender.
 demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate theories and research pertaining to
women.
 identify the key developmental milestones women experience across the lifespan.
 demonstrate an understanding of how gender discrimination and oppression have
shaped women's experience.
 apply their knowledge of women’s behavior to suggest solutions to practical
problems.
 demonstrate an awareness of the cultural expectations for women in American
society and elsewhere.
 demonstrate an appreciation of individual differences within and between groups
of people.
 analyze and identify the biological, developmental, societal, political, and
historical factors that influence women’s behavior.
Required Textbooks
Hyde, Janet Shibley. (2006). Half the Human Experience. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath.
Additional readings to be handed out in class.
Course Requirements
Attendance: You are expected to attend class regularly. I will take attendance daily
by passing around an attendance sheet. If you come in late and sign the attendance sheet
at the end of class, you will be marked as tardy. Each absence will lower your
attendance/participation grade by 5 points (two tardies equals one absence). Most classes
will include class exercises, discussions, presentations, lectures, and videos designed to
increase your understanding of the material. Missing class will mean missing out on
these learning opportunities, and will likely result in poorer performance in the course. If
you have a serious illness or problem and need to miss class, please contact me as soon as
possible.
Reading: It is expected that you have completed the assigned reading(s) BEFORE
coming to class. You are expected to demonstrate your familiarity with the reading by
asking questions and contributing to class discussion. The readings are designed to
enhance your thinking about the psychology of women, and many of them will probably
spark strong reactions. If you have a reaction to something you read, feel free to say so!
Many of the assigned readings and articles discuss controversial issues and pose opinions
you may agree or disagree with. We will use some class time to discuss these opinions.
Assignments:
 Action assignments. For this assignment, you will identify a specific gender
issue and design an “action” that addresses that issue. You will be required to
complete two of these assignments over the course of the semester.
 Papers. You will be required to submit one written paper for this course. For this
paper, you will select a topic, conduct a literature review of the issue, identify
resources in the Sacramento area that address this issue, and make
recommendations for improving how we deal with this issue. I will provide you
with more extensive information about this assignment within the first few weeks
of the semester.
Exams: There will be three exams and one final exam. Each exam will have a
combination of multiple-choice and short answer questions. There will be NO make-up
exams; however, I will drop the lowest of the three exams. Therefore, if you need to miss
class on an exam date, that exam will be the dropped grade. I will not drop the final
exam grade. Please arrange your schedule so you will be in class on the days exams will
be given, and be sure to save your “drop” grade for a true emergency situation. On exam
days, please come to class with a Scan-Tron #882 form and a #2 pencil. If you come to
class on exam day without these materials, you will not be allowed to take the exam until
you get these items.
Extra Credit: Several extra credit opportunities will be available to you throughout the
semester. These options include the following:

You may submit a reflective journal entry for extra credit points. Many of the
topics we will cover in class will be thought-provoking and, at times,
controversial. While you are strongly encouraged to voice your opinions in class,
you may also elect to write your thoughts and reactions in a reflective journal.
You may submit up to five reflective papers over the course of the semester (one
per month). Each paper will be worth up to 20 points.
 We have several clubs here on campus that are open to all SCC students, and that
are relevant to our course material. For example, the Women’s Alliance provides
opportunities to meet other students with similar interests and to become
politically involved in issues pertaining to women. In the Psychology Club,
students can learn more about different areas of psychology and career options,
and they can participate in psychology-related activities. The Queer-Straight
Alliance is a group that is open to all students, both gay and straight, and it
provides opportunities for social involvement and political activism. Other clubs
on campus include the Environmental Awareness Club, the Honors Club, and the
Hapa Club. You can earn extra credit by becoming involved in one of these clubs
and engaging in an activity that pertains to our course material. Depending on
your level of involvement, you can earn between 10-75 extra credit points.
 SCC and other colleges host seminars, speakers, workshops, etc. on issues
pertaining to women and gender. If you attend one of these events and turn in a
thoughtful, well-written summary and reaction paper, you will earn 20 extra credit
points. You may submit up to 2 reaction papers.
You may earn no more than 100 extra credit points.
Grades: Your grade will be based on the following components:
Attendance/participation:
20%
200 points
Semester exams (2 of 3):
30% (15% each)
300 points
Action assignments:
10% (5% each)
100 points
Paper:
20%
200 points
Final exam:
20%
200 points
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS:
1000 points
Extra credit journals:
up to 10%
Grades:
A
900-1000 points
B
800-899 points
C
700-799 points
D
600-699 points
F
599 or below
100 points
If you find that you are having difficulty with the course, or if you need to miss class due
to a serious illness or problem, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible.
Please do not wait until the end of the term to contact me – the earlier you speak to me,
the more likely we will be able to develop a plan to improve your grade. Additionally, if
you have a disability including “invisible” disabilities like chronic diseases and learning
disabilities, I encourage you to speak with me in order to discuss appropriate
accommodations.
Late Paper Policy
In my opinion, there are very few valid reasons for turning a paper in late. Procrastination
is not a valid excuse. Nor is having too much work from other classes; since all of the
assignments for this class are described in the syllabus, you could conceivably begin each
paper right now! It is probably becoming very clear that I strongly dislike receiving late
papers. Because of that, I have a very strict “late paper” policy: I will accept papers one
day after the due date, and I will lower the grade by one letter (so an “A” paper would
receive a “B”). I will not accept papers any later than that, unless there are extreme
circumstances.
Classroom Etiquette
In my opinion, students learn best when they are in an environment that challenges their
thinking, yet respects each and every individual. It is very difficult to learn if one doesn’t
feel respected and valued. It is perfectly fine (and encouraged!) to disagree with an idea
or to hold an opposing point of view; however, it is unacceptable to subject an individual
to personal attacks, put-downs, and insults. I ask that you refrain from the
aforementioned behaviors.
In the same vein, I like to create what I call a “safe zone” in my classroom. A “safe
zone” is a place that is respectful of all people regardless of sexual orientation, ethnic
background, age, religion, disability, and gender. It is expected that you will be
respectful of others while you are in my classroom.
Lastly, please be respectful in the following ways:
 Arrive on time and leave when class is over. If you need to leave early because of
a one-time appointment, please let me know before class begins.
 Refrain from cross-talk and side conversations.
 Turn off cell phones and beepers during class.
 Do not bring children to class unless you have discussed it with me first.
Waste Reduction
All students are expected to participate in SCC waste reduction program. Please reduce
and reuse whenever possible and always recycle the appropriate materials in the proper
receptacles. We will discuss what kinds of materials go in each bin.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating is against the policy of Sacramento City College. Cheating includes any
attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade
assessment. Plagiarism is a form of cheating that involves presenting as one’s own the
ideas or work of another.
There are essentially two types of cheating and plagiarism. “Obvious” cheating is just
that: obvious. Paying someone to write a paper for you, looking at your neighbor’s
answers when taking an exam are examples of obvious cheating and plagiarism. Most
students don’t engage in this behavior. What many students inadvertently do is what I
call “soft plagiarism,” which involves failing to cite references or citing references
inappropriately in your papers. This is much more common.
If I catch a student engaging in “obvious” cheating or plagiarism, that student will receive
a grade of zero for that particular assignment. If, on the other hand, I see examples of
“soft” plagiarism in papers, I will call it to your attention. If I see a very minor instance
(for example, missing one citation in your paper), I will just write a comment in your
paper. If I see several instances, I will lower your grade slightly. If you fail to cite
references at all and copy words directly from other sources, this falls in the category of
“obvious” cheating. We will go over how to cite references appropriately, so by the time
you write your papers for this class, you should be clear about how to avoid “soft”
plagiarism.
Cheating and plagiarism are very serious offenses. If you have any questions about these
offenses, please come talk to me before class, after class, or during my office hours.
Course Schedule (tentative)
INTRODUCTION TO GENDER ISSUES
August 26
Introduction to the psychology of women
August 28
Introduction to the psychology of women, continued
Research on the psychology of women
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 1
September 2
Research on the psychology of women
Readings:
Caplan article (to be handed out in class)
September 4
Gender stereotypes
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 3
Film: Killing Us Softly 3
September 9
Gender stereotypes – continued
Readings:
Odut, “HUES Magazine: The Making of a
Movement”
“Changing Norms of Beauty”
(both to be handed out in class)
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
September 11
Theoretical perspectives - traditional
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 2
September 16
Theoretical perspectives – traditional and feminist
September 18
EXAM #1
DIVERSITY AMONG WOMEN
September 23
Women of color
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 4
Film: The Way Home (clips)
September 25
Lesbian and bisexual women
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 13
GENDER DEVELOPMENT
September 30
Biological influences on gender
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 10
FIRST ACTION ASSIGNMENT DUE
October 2
Biological influences on gender, continued
Transgender identities
Readings:
excerpt from Scholinski, The Last Time I Wore a
Dress
Excerpt from Bornstein, Gender Outlaw
October 7
Infancy and childhood
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 7, pp. 182-191
October 9
Adolescence
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 7, pp. 192-199
Crompton, “A Parent’s Story”
October 14
EXAM #2
October 16
Adulthood
Readings:
October 21
Hyde, Chapter 7, pp. 200-212
Wolf, excerpt from Misconceptions
Adulthood and aging
EMOTION, COGNITION, ACHIEVEMENT
October 23
Abilities and achievement motivation
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 8
October 28
Women and work
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 9
October 30
Women and work, continued
SEXUALITY AND RELATIONSHIPS
November 4
Female sexuality
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 12
PAPER DUE
November 6
Female sexuality, continued
Readings:
Ensler, The Vagina Monologues
November 11
EXAM #3
WOMEN’S HEALTH
November 13
The victimization of women
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 14
November 18
The victimization of women, continued
November 20
Psychology and women’s health issues
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 11
SECOND ACTION ASSIGNMENT DUE
November 25
Psychology and women’s health issues, continued
November 27
NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING
December 2
Women and mental health issues
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 15
December 4
Women and mental health issues, continued
December 9
Psychology of men
Readings:
Hyde, Chapter 16
Film: Tough Guise
December 11
Review for final exam
FINAL EXAM:
Tuesday, December 16
8:00-10:00AM