Language & Gender (223-0-20)

Instructors

Gregory L Ward
847/491-8055
2016 Sheridan Rd., Room 203
Office Hours: after class and by appt

Meeting Info

Lutkin Hall: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

An exploration of the role that gender plays in the language of and about men and women, focusing on gendered speech as part of social practice in local communities. Topics include identity categories and labels, gender-based slurs and "reclaimed epithets" (e.g. "bitch","slut", "brat", "queer"), gender vs. sex vs. sexuality, the contested notion of ‘political correctness', sexist/misogynist language, and linguistic prescriptivism.

Registration Requirements

Attendance at first class mandatory.

Learning Objectives

- To think critically about gender, sex, and language - and about the relations among them,
- To identify, analyze, and provide a theoretical framework for gender differences in language.
- To explore the role of language in constructing gender in our society; that is, how children and adults learn (and often are explicitly taught) to produce what is considered gender-appropriate language.
- To examine gender stereotypes from a linguistic perspective with an eye to increasing awareness of and sensitivity to gender bias in language.
- To underscore the importance of gender studies within the broader field of linguistics.

Teaching Method

Lecture and class discussion. Group work in section.

Evaluation Method

Attendance, class and section participation, readings, midterm, journal, final project, and homework.

Class Materials (Required)

All course materials will be provided on Canvas.

Class Materials (Suggested)

N/A

Class Attributes

Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Attendance at 1st class mandatory