First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-1)

Topic

Political Gender Gaps across the Generations

Instructors

Ann Shola Orloff
847/491-3719
1808 Chicago Ave. Rm. 201

Meeting Info

Shepard Hall B08/B09: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

The gender gap in politics -- average differences in partisan and policy preferences between men and women (and between different subgroups of men and women, or those who live beyond the binary) -- has been a key focus of attention over the last three Presidential elections. In this class, we'll examine its changing character over the generations coming of age politically from the early twentieth century through today, examining the role of gender, in interaction with other forms of power and difference, in shaping political preferences and practices. Why, for example, are non college-educated men (increasingly across racial groups) trending Republican? Why are single women a mainstay of Democratic support? Why does the educational divide separate the partisan preferences of white women? how have feminism and anti-feminism come to be significant politically? We'll dive into these questions and more as we seek to understand the gendered components of contemporary electoral politics. Classes will usually begin with a short lecture, then move to discussion and group presentations. Students will write three short papers on topics of their choosing within the broad rubric of gender and politics.

Learning Objectives

- Explain how gender influences politics in the US historically and in the present and apply course concepts to current events and issues regarding gender and politics
- Compare how gender interacts with other forms of difference and inequality in the US polity, and interrogate how multiple social statuses intersect with gender in shaping political power in the U.S.
- Understand how the US polity and state are organized along gendered lines, and how different theoretical perspectives explain the relationships between gender and the US polity
- Demonstrate how public policies and political processes shape gendered relations
- Develop original critiques regarding how course materials addressing the relationships between gender and politics.

Teaching Method

Seminar discussion and lecture

Evaluation Method

- attendance
- class participation
- three short papers (due during the quarter)
- group class presentations

Class Materials (Required)

Provided in Canvas

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.