Fall 2010                     
GST 2300 /SOC 2300           
T/Th 4 - 5:15 p.m.     
GR 2.530             

Introduction to Gender Studies

This course is an introduction to the study of gender as a category for social and cultural analysis.  We will examine the ways gender, sexuality, class, race/ethnicity, and nationality interact to shape our experiences, our culture, and the social institutions we inhabit. The topics we cover include biological arguments about gender and sexuality; the cultural construction of gender in different societies; the psychology of sex roles; the ways gender shapes families, workplaces, and other social institutions; and cultural representations of gender.  We will survey the variety of theories available to us to explain social inequalities, and examine the roles of individuals and institutions in creating, maintaining, and challenging them.

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will be able to describe the ways gender shapes the lives of women and men by privileging certain definitions of masculinity and femininity and regulating expressions of sexuality.
2. Students will be able to explain how gender structures social institutions (families, workplaces, schools, religious institutions, etc.) and our ways of thinking.
3. Students will be able to give examples of gender, race, class, nation, religion, and sexuality as interactive systems. 

Texts:

All texts are available at Off-Campus Books, the UTD Bookstore and Stanza Books.

Additional course materials are available on my web site at www.utdallas.edu/~erins

Course Schedule:

Course Requirements

Participation -- You are expected to come to class prepared for discussion. Your participation includes not only expressing your own ideas, but also the respect and seriousness with which you treat the ideas of your colleagues.

Reading Questions - SIX (6) times over the course of the semester, you will hand in a one-page (MAX) typed response to the reading. Goal is to (1) prove you've done the reading; and (2) show some thoughtful consideration of the issues or questions it raises. I will provide prompts/questions on my website at www.utdallas.edu/~erins. You must hand in 3 write-ups by Thurs. 7 Oct.  Questions are due on the day we discuss a reading. Faxed or e-mailed questions will not be accepted.  Late questions will not be accepted.  No one else may hand in questions for you.  I will not accept questions from students not attending class that day.

Midterm (Thurs. 14 Oct.) and Final Exams (Thurs. 9 Dec.) -- essay questions designed to test your mastery of course readings and class discussion, and your ability to synthesize the material and think critically about it. Midterm is in-class. Final exam is take-home.  I will hand out the questions in advance.

Review Papers #1 and #2 -- 3-page papers summarizing and reviewing some university or community presentation, lecture, exhibit or function related to gender.  I will provide a list of suggested events.  I will also enthusiastically pre-approve others.  Paper #1 is due on Thurs. 28 Oct.  Paper #2 is due on Thurs. 2 Dec.  I will provide more detailed instructions on a hand-out.    

Grading Policy -- Your grade will be based on:

You must complete all course requirements in order to pass the class (e.g. if you do not hand in a paper, you will fail the class, even if the other grades average out to a passing grade). Attendance and participation will be reflected in your grade (i.e. it doesn't matter how well you do on the other things, if you regularly don't show for class or don't participate). If you miss more than 8 classes (for whatever reason), you will fail the course.  Habitual lateness, absences or failure to hand in a paper on time will be reflected in your grade. Please consult me in the event of illness, emergency, or other extenuating circumstances.

A NOTE ON CELL PHONES AND PAGERS - TURN THEM OFF!!! They are rude, disruptive, and disrespectful to me and to your classmates.  

Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty:  I have a zero tolerance policy on cheating and plagiarism.  Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. 

UNIVERSITY POLICIES