Sexuality and Society (232-0-20)
Instructors
Rebecca Rose Ewert
Meeting Info
Fisk Hall 217: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
Gender studies have traditionally focused on women. Yet critical work on men and masculinities show us how people of all genders are constrained by gender expectations and assumptions. Furthermore, studies of masculinities shed light on practical questions like, why do men die earlier than women? And, why are men more likely to commit mass shootings? In recent years, the public spotlight has cast light on savory and unsavory aspects of masculinity; think about the rise of the term "toxic masculinity," the #MeToo movement, advertisements aimed at men, and blogs commenting on the behavior of men on the reality show The Bachelorette. In this course, we will go beyond banal statements like "men are trash" to critically ask, What role does masculinity play in social life? How is masculinity produced, and are there different ways to be masculine? This course provides students with an intensive introduction to the foundational theory and research in the field of masculinities studies. We will use an intersectional lens to study the ways in which the concept and lived experience of masculinity are shaped by economic, social, cultural, and political forces. As we study the institutions that socialize people into gender, we will examine how the gendered social order influences the way people of all genders perform masculinity as well as the ways men perceive themselves, people of other genders, and social situations. Verbally and in writing, students will develop an argument about the way contemporary masculinity is constructed and performed.
Learning Objectives
Course-Specific Goals: • Describe and analyze the connections between individuals, institutions, and social structure, which is fundamental to the sociological enterprise. • Analyze gender as a process, stratification system, and structure. • Identify ways in which masculinity is constructed through interactions with institutions, individuals, and social structure. • Examine power relations (primarily but not exclusively in the United States) by engaging with scholarship describing the historical and contemporary structures, processes, and practices that shape masculinity expectations, as well as resistance. • Compare and critique theories on masculinity in the form of a persuasive argument in which student furthers an original claim. • Conduct a research project consisting of collecting and analyzing a unique data source and writing a research paper. 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. This means that you will develop the ability to make an argumentative claim, support the claim with reasonable evidence, and provide a strong conclusion while acknowledging the argument's limitations - all in your own authorial voice. • Identify components of academic argument.
Teaching Method
class participation, discussion, lecture, readings, writing assignments
Evaluation Method
participation, group presentation, final paper, small writing assignments
Class Materials (Required)
On canvas
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area