Evaluation of effects of biological sex and gender role
socialization on personality and behavior through examination of empirical
research (PR 121)
The first section of the course is aimed at placing the
psychological study of gender in a larger historical and cultural context.
In order to do this, we will begin with a discussion of diversity in general,
and the concepts of stereotyping and prejudice in particular. This will
be followed by an examination of various research approaches and conceptual
frameworks to understanding gender.
In the second section of the course we will explore more
thoroughly issues of gender development. The question is: How does one
go from being a biological girl or boy at birth to a gendered adult? These
discussions will include examination of the concept of gender identity
and how it differs from sexuality and sexual orientation. Biological and
social aspects of development will be considered.
The third section of the course examines in depth a number
of critical issues that affect the daily lives of women and men, and which
can be studied from a gendered perspective. In particular the development
of relationships, including a discussion of sex, love and romance, in heterosexual,
bisexual and homosexual relationships is the focus. Implications for violence
in relationships will also be discussed.
The final section of the course focuses on the workplace
and mental health consequences of gendered expectations and experiences.
A discussion of future possibilities concludes the course.
To investigate the history of ideas about gender from a social
psychological perspective and to understand how a social psychological
analysis differs from other forms of analysis
To know how womenís and menís lives have been affected by
social institutions, especially the impact of various social categories,
such as race, ethnicity, and class, on psychological factors.
To understand how womenís and menís lives are studied from
a scientific perspective, and to articulate various theoretical and research
To appreciate the variety of choices and limitations in womenís
and menís lives as they are shaped by biology and society.
To explore various topic areas through readings, class activities,
and discussion and by thinking and writing critically and reflectively.
Students will learn to question rigid divisions between male
and female, personal and public, individual and society, subjectivity and
objectivity, reason and passion. They will have opportunities to test their
emerging ideas about women and men, gender, culture and society both individually
and collaboratively in a program of study that aims for critical understanding,
as well as building a knowledge base derived from an examination of empirical
Mary Crawford & Rhoda Unger, Women and Gender, 2000,
4th edition (CU)
Elizabeth Paul, Taking
Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Sex and Gender, 2002
Jackson Library - On Reserve
McIntosh, "White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack"
Grades will be based on a total of 200 points, using a
10 point scale (90% and above = A; 80% and above = B, etc.). Each exam
will consist of 36 multiple choice questions (each worth 1 point); one
extra credit essay (worth up to 4 additional points). An additional 7%
of your grade will be based on critical essays evaluating each of the videos
we observe in class (1-2 pages each, each worth 2 points). You will receive
2 points for writing an essay on your attitudes towards feminist psychology
based on your scores on the Feminism Scale. You will receive 2 points for
writing a one page reaction paper on the McIntosh article. No make up exams
will be given without prior notification of reason for missing the exam.
All film summaries must be turned in within two days following the
scheduled viewing date.
Any form of academic misconduct that violates the
principles of academic integrity (honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and
responsibility) will be handled according to UNCGís academic violation
procedures. In short, it is in your best interest to avoid cheating, plagiarizing,
and falsifying. See http://library.uncg.edu/depts/ref/tutorial
for an online tutorial regrding Academic Integrity.
Grades will be posted on Blackboard. It is your responsibility
to periodically check them to ensure that all work is properly credited.
||36 points each
|6 film summaries
|| 2 points each
|| 12 points
|4 discussion forums
||10 points each
|| 40 points
|McIntosh Reaction Paper
| 2 points each
|| 4 points
Options (up to 15 points):
1. Extra credit term paper (based
on at least 6 research articles taken from professional scientific journals,
8 -10 pages), (see Dr. White for topic approval.)
2. You may keep a journal. This
must consist of a minimum of 21one half page entries. Each entry is to
be numbered, dated, and written on a separate page. Journal entries
will be evaluated on the depth of thought and should contain your reactions
to course material and/or comments linking day-to-day observations to course
3. You can attend 5 public events
and write a one-page report on each, addressing the relevance to the course.
4. If you have any other ideas for
an extra credit project, please see me to discuss it. Web based projects
Due date for all extra credit
work is Thursday, December 2.
Attendance will not be taken regularly. However,
from time to time there will be "pop" assignments to be completed during
class. If you are present, you will receive extra credit for participation.