Sociology of Gender (356-0-20)
Instructors
Rebecca Rose Ewert
Dr. Rebecca Ewert is an Instructional Professor in the Sociology department. Her teaching and research interests include gender — especially masculinity — inequality, culture, mental health, environmental disasters, and qualitative methods. She received her BA from the University of California, Davis and her MA and PhD from the University of Chicago.
Meeting Info
Harris Hall L07: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
This course is an opportunity for students to critically examine what is often a taken-for-granted aspect of social life: gender. This course will involve learning about gender as well as applying gender theory. We will study a variety of theoretical approaches to the study of gender, with particular focus on how problems are identified and theories are developed. We will examine several emergent cases of gender theorization -- childhood gender and sexuality panics, bathroom surveillance, and the intersex experience, among others. By the end of the term, students will be able to 1) describe and compare theoretical anchors for the sociological study of gender and 2) in writing, apply gender theory to original ethnographic data. This is a reading-heavy upper division course and prior course experience in gender/sexuality studies (by way of taking Gender & Society or other course work) is strongly advised.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Course-Specific Goals:
• Define and compare various theoretical approaches to the study of gender
• Apply theories of gender to real-world scenarios and events
• Work collaboratively and independently to describe and apply theoretical approaches to gender
• Articulate ways in which gender categories are institutionally and interactionally co-constituted along with additional categories of difference including race, age, ability, sexuality, and socio-economic class
• Analyze their own gendered behavior within social relationships and institutions
• Compare and critique theories on gender in the form of a persuasive argument in which the student furthers an original claim.
Academic Development Goals:
• Effectively communicate with classmates and instructors in a respectful manner conducive of learning and collaboration.
• Engage in critical, analytical thinking and writing.
• Identify components of academic argument.
Teaching Method
Seminar
Evaluation Method
participation in class discussion, small writing assignments, two research papers, group presentation
Class Materials (Required)
All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas - no purchase necessary.
Class Notes
Students are advised to have taken Gender & Society or another gender course before enrolling in this course.
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area