Topics in Sociological Analysis (376-0-21)

Topic

Race/Gender/Sex & Science: Identities & Difference

Instructors

Steven Epstein
Steven Epstein is Professor of Sociology and John C. Shaffer Professor in the Humanities. His research and teaching focus on the sociology of science, medicine, and sexuality.

Meeting Info

555 Clark B03: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

"Race/Gender/Sex & Science: Identities & Difference"

How do developments in the life sciences affect our understandings of who we are, how we differ, and how social inequalities are created, perpetuated, and challenged? This seminar explores how scientific claims and technological developments help transform cultural meanings of race, gender, and sexuality. Conversely, we will consider how cultural beliefs about race, gender, and sexuality influence scientific knowledge and medical practice. By studying a range of cases, we will explore the dynamic interplay among expert findings, social identities, and political arguments.

This course is cross-listed with GNDR_ST 332-0-21 and HUM 370-3-20.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand and explain how the meanings of social categories such as race, gender, and sexuality are affected by technologies and informed by developments in the natural and social sciences.

• Understand and explain how scientific processes and discourses as well as pathways of technological development are affected by broader social understandings of forms of identity, difference, and inequality such as race, gender, and sexuality.

• Understand how social scientists study science, technology, and medicine as social processes.

• Understand how to go about developing and writing a research paper that builds on class readings but investigates a topic of the student's choosing, with an emphasis on careful organization, clear argumentation, and effective writing.

Teaching Method

Seminar

Evaluation Method

Short take-home essay, in-class midterm, 10-page research paper, short class presentation based on paper, class attendance, and class participation

Class Materials (Required)

All materials for this course will be made available via 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.