Topics in Sociological Analysis (376-0-20)
Topic
Sex, Gender, Sexuality
Instructors
Mark Alexander Griffith
Mark Griffith is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Sexuality Studies, jointly appointed in the Sociology Department and Gender & Sexuality Studies Program at Northwestern University. His research interests are primarily in sexualities, with the goal of broadening our understanding of sexualities beyond sexual orientation. Much of his work to date has focused on consensual non-monogamy, or relationship structures in which multiple sexual and/or romantic partners are allowed under the terms of one’s relationship agreement. He identifies as Black, queer, and a second-generation immigrant.
Meeting Info
University Library 5722: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
What is sex? What is gender? What is sexuality? How are they related? Are they social constructs or biological realities? Can we have one without the others? In this upper division undergraduate seminar, we will explore the interconnected nexus of sex, gender, and sexuality. The course will expose students to a range of theoretical approaches to sex, gender, and sexuality from sociology and other disciplines. The course will also provide students with practice applying these theories to real-life cases. Additionally, students will develop the skills to perform qualitative coding—a key method of analysis of sociological data. By the end of the course, students will have explored a research question of their choice related to sex, gender, and/or sexuality by qualitatively coding data using NVivo.
Learning Objectives
1. Gain familiarity with sociological theories of sex, gender, and sexuality, and understand the evidence in which these theories are grounded.
2. Practice applying these theories to real world social issues, including one's own lived experiences.
3. Understand the explicit and implicit ways in which sex, gender, and sexuality profoundly shape social inequality, especially as they intersect with race, ethnicity, and class.
4. Develop proficiency in qualitative coding and qualitatively coding data in NVivo.
5. Identify a research question related to sex, gender, and/or sexuality and answer it with sociological data.
Class Materials (Required)
All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas - no purchase necessary.
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration is reserved for Sociology Majors and Minors.