Section 1, MWF 8-8:50
Lassen 3005
Professor Todd A. Migliaccio
Office: Amador Hall 451D
Hours: MW 10-11, W 12-1 or by appointment
Phone: 278-7573
Website: http://online.csus.edu/
This course examines the sociological perspectives of sex and gender roles in relation to the inequalities present in our society. Its purpose is to become aware of the theoretical implications and cultural variations that are based on sex. It will focus on the current issues and changes that have come forth in both male and female patterns of behavior from what we originally expected in the traditional society. The class will offer a more complete understanding of the construction of gender in society, the inequalities that arise from this and how these may differ across cultures. As gender is taken in this course as a social concept that impacts everyone, both socially and personally, the course will assist students in understanding how gender as a social construction is related to the development of them as individuals.
Learning Objectives (General Education, E, Understanding Personal Development):
1. Recognize and critically examine the development of the gendered individual as an integrated physiological, psychological, and social being as a result of gendered expectations and behaviors in society.
2. Identify the internal and external influences that promote gender portrayals in society, and ultimately influence the development and display of gender throughout a person’s life.
3. Critically examine their own individual behavior in reference to issues surrounding gender and the social and natural environment, human sexuality, nutrition, health stress, family, aging and death.
4. Develop an understanding of the construction of gender and its effects on society.
5. Identify diverse presentations of gender in society, dependent on social situation.
6. Critically analyze actions and behaviors of
people in society in reference to gender.
Kimmel, Michael. The Gendered Society, 2nd edition.
Kimmel, Michael The Gendered Society Reader, 2nd edition.
The Gendered Society Reader
Student Resource Guide
The due dates for each of the papers are stated in the syllabus. No late papers will be accepted. The paper guidelines are on the web, as well as in a handout given at the beginning of class. As well, a brief statement in class about what is expected will be given. The due dates for each assignment are listed in the course calendar at the end of the syllabus. While I will attempt to offer reminders to impending due dates, it is ultimately your responsibility to insure that all papers are ready to be turned in by the expected due date.
Throughout the course, each student will be allotted four extensions for the papers/assignments. Each extension is worth one class day (ex. If the paper is due on Monday, and you turn it in on Wednesday, that is one extension). You do not need permission from the professor. You may use these extensions whenever you want, subject to the rules given below:
1) You get four extensions.
Don’t ask me for more- you will not get them. Hence, you should use extensions wisely when
you really need them, such as sickness or an athletic event.
2) You may use a maximum of two extensions
on any one paper; by using two on one paper, you can turn the paper in two
classes late.
3) You can use one on any assignment (including
reading assignments) given in the class, meaning the assignment can be turned
in one class period later. Any assignment turned in later, or if you have used
all of your extensions, will not be accepted.
4) Any paper that is submitted later than
two classes after it is due (regardless of your extension situation), or is
turned in late after you have used all of your extensions will be penalized two
full grades.
5) Any assignments submitted after one class
period (regardless of extension situation), or after you have used all of your
extensions, the assignment will not be accepted.
6) No extension can be used for posting assignments.
All papers must be typed and stapled and not placed in any covers, folders or any other such contraption. A title page is expected, which will contain the following information: Title of the paper, your name, and the name of the class (Sociology 126 for those of you not paying attention). Thank you.
Use of WebCT: While there are times when the site will be down, this is not an excuse for a missed assignment or late paper. The material will be up with sufficient time to copy it before it comes due. Ultimately it is your responsibility to either obtain it, or let me know of any problems you are having with it. Most problems are related to the computer department, so contact the help desk. If they are unable/unwilling to help you let me know, and I will attempt to correct any problems, but on occasion they are not my fault (I know, that is hard to imagine, but it is true).
If you are a student who has a disability that may necessitate accommodations being made in the classroom, please contact SSD, (916) 278-6955.
Turn off all pagers and cell phones before entering class. I accept the right to answer any that ring (and make up any wild stories about you to the person who has called).
Finally, cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you are caught engaging in either of these activities, you will receive an F.
The class is located on the WebCT campus server. Accessing this site requires a login and password, which are the following: Login: your saclink id; Password: Your saclink password (if you do not have one, you can obtain one online). You will be able to access the outlines for the course, any overheads used in class, any material that was handed out, a glossary of terms (if there is one not listed that you can not locate elsewhere, please let me know so I can include it), all of the assignments, as well as the posting questions and syllabus. You will also be able to locate your grade on-line if you desire.
POSTINGS: On the last day of class of a given week, I will be putting up posting questions/assignments on-line. I will attempt to let you know that Thursday in class, but ultimately it is your responsibility to check. As for the postings, they will be questions that you will be required to answer that engage the ideas in the class, the readings and possibly current events. Beyond responding to the question itself, you are also required to respond to at least two other students’ comments, preferably on a different day than you originally posted. If you are not talking in class, this is a good place to get participation points by responding in greater detail and more often. This is to help in the comprehension of the material, ideas and readings from the class, as well as to generate topics of discussion within the classroom.
Four exams will be given over the course of the semester. Only three of the exams will be counted for the total grade. Each will consist of short answer questions, and matching, true/false and/or multiple-choice questions and will be worth 15% of your total grade (that is 45% total for those of you who have avoided any math classes up until this point). Each test will only examine your knowledge from the previous test until the class period just prior to the exam. The final will not be a comprehensive final. You will need to bring both blue books and scantrons for all of the exams.
Journal: Students will periodically turn in a journal that
addresses how the topics discussed in class, and the corresponding readings
have influenced and continue to effect their perception of themselves and
other’s in society. They will be
expected to address not only how outside forces have impacted them, but also
how their own beliefs about issues surrounding masculinity have influenced how
they interact with others in relation to the topics and readings. The journals will be no shorter than 2 pages
each in length, being turned in every three weeks (4 journal papers turned
in). Students will be graded on their
understanding of the theoretical discussions being presented in both the
readings and the class, as well as to be able to appropriately apply them. They will also be graded on their ability to
convey these ideas to the reader. Finally,
students will be graded on the application of the ideas to their life
experiences and to reflect on those concepts and experiences. The 4 journal papers will be graded
separately, but will be compiled into a total grade for the class, worth 20% of
the total course grade.
Presentation: You are required to research another culture’s gender/sex roles and then compare it to Western society’s roles. Basically, choose an experience, topic, or event that is related to gender and then study how it is similar or different in another culture. Ex. gender roles in marriage or reproduction, or even male roles in marriage. Or issues related to sexuality, or issues related to raising children in terms of gendering them. What you are graded on is located on the web. You will then present this information to the class. In effect, you will be teaching the class about this topic. You will be asked to give multiple-choice questions for the exam (at least two). They must be usable questions (not too easy or too difficult). You must have at least 2 Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) journals and academic resources that you will, along with any other resources, noted in a bibliography. Finally, you do need to bring in a visual aid of some sort: a chart, graph, video, paraphernalia, etc that adds or is useful in the overall presentation. You will turn in the questions and a bibliography prior to giving your presentation. This project will be worth 15% of your total grade.
Postings, Class Assignments, and Quizzes: Throughout the semester a series of short assignments will be given that incorporate the concepts of the class into your own lives. They will be both given out during class and on the web, so you will need to periodically check the web for new assignments or postings. Postings occur over the weekend, but assignments will be due the class following when the assignment was given, as we will discuss them then. No make-ups for these are possible, unless you choose to use one of your extensions, and that is only available to be used on assignments. As well, quizzes about the readings may be given throughout the semester. Quizzes, assignments and postings will be worth 10% of your total grade.
TOPIC: READING DUE ON FIRST DAY:
January 24 & 26: Introduction and Overview
January 28 & 31 and February 2: Differing Perspectives Kimmel: Chapts. 1 & 2
Kimmel Reader: Buss (8); Lorber (14); Sapolsky (26); Fausto-Sterling (344)
February 4 & 7: Social Construction/Socialization K: Chapt. 5
February 4: Last day to drop/add classes Reader: Gerson & Peiss (114);
West & Zimmerman (150)
February 9, 11 & 14:
Feminism K:
February 11: First Journal Due
February 16: Exam 1
February 18 & 21: Masculinity and Men’s Studies Reader: Messerschmidt (126);
Garbarino (94)
February 23, 25, 28 & March 2: Objectification and Power Reader: Sanday (58); Gilligan (427)
March 4, 7 & 9: Sexuality K:
March 2: Second Journal Due Reader: Savin-Williams (382); Herdt (39)
March 4: Drop with departmental approval
March 11: Exam 2
March 14, 16 & 18: Communication Reader:
Cohn (397)
March 20-26: SPRING BREAK
March 28 & 30 and April 1
& 4: Family K:
March 30: 3rd journal paper due Reader: Popenoe (170); Coltrane (186); Dobash, Dobash, Wilson & Daly (410)
April 6, 8, 11 & 13: Relationships K:
Reader: Cancian (352); Swain (364)
April 15: Exam 3
April 18 & 20: Health & Body Reader: Bordo (309); Sabo (327)
April 22, 25, 27 & 29:
Employment K:
April 25: 4th journal paper due Reader: Reskin (277); Williams (291)
May 2, 4 & 6: Presentations
May 9, 11 & 13: Education K:
Reader: Sadker, et al. (220)
May 18, Wednesday, 8-10a: Final Exam