This class explores gender and sexuality as organizing principles of identity, interactions, and social institutions. The class emphasizes the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, class, and age in shaping contemporary inequalities. Major theoretical approaches to gender and sexuality will also be introduced. Other topics include media, family, culture, relationships, work, and social movements. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply major sociological perspectives, theories, and concepts to the analysis of issues related to gender and sexuality.
- Explain the meaning of gender as a social construction.
- Analyze how gender is an organizing principle of society and its institutions like the economy, politics, and the family.
- Analyze how social structure and culture shape gendered identities and experiences.
- Apply sociological concepts and theories to your personal experiences and to your observations of others.
- Identify how imbalances in power shape gender dynamics at the interpersonal and structural levels.
- Identify the main agents of gender socialization and their impact on children’s and adults’ gender construction.
- Explain and analyze the intersections of gender with race and ethnicity, social class, sexuality, and other social identities.
- Explain and evaluate the ways in which individuals’ social positions and identities shape their attitudes and views regarding gender.