INST 205
Fall, 2012
Class Meets:M/W
From:3:00 PM - 5:05 PM
Room:DDH - K101
Instructor:Dr. Joanne Schmidt - Modern Languages &
Literatures & Women and Gender Studies
Office: BDC 257A
Phone:654-2317
Class website: 205/
OfficeHours: Mon./Tues./Wed. 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM, and by appointment
Course Overview:
This course is offered for 5 units of GRE (Gender, Race, Ethnicity) credit at CSUB.
It is also a required course for the WGS (Women & Gender Studies) minor.
INST 205 is an introduction to Women and Gender Studies. The aim of this course is to introduce you to key themes in Women and Gender Studies, which will require the use of an interdisciplinary lens to accomplish this goal. That is, INST 205 will explore topics through different academic disciplines. For instance, students will read articles written by sociologists, psychologists, modern language professors, historians, and so on. Topics
will be covered that range from the social construction of gender, to gender socialization (how we learn to be women and men) and identity, to gender inequality in institutional settings (e.g., work, the family). Students will engage in several exciting “hands-on” projects that will help them apply the material in the course to their “everyday” world.
CSUB Catolog description:
INST 205 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies (5)
Introduction to women’s and gender studies drawing on multiple disciplines such as art, communication, economics, history, literature, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, and sociology. This class will introduce students to several different frameworks for thinking about sex and gender, their intersections with other social categories such as race, class, and sexuality, and their differences across various social and cultural contexts. We will consider the ways that gender functions in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, and how it impacts the concrete reality of women’s and men’s lives. GRE
Course Goals:
1.To acquaint you with a multidisciplinary approach to the study of women and
gender. A range of women/s and/or gender issues (e.g., gender and family,
gender and work, gender and culture) will be examined from a variety of
perspectives including literature, history, sociology, language, and others.
2.To acquaint you with the social formation of gender. We will develop our understanding of the role that social learning (socialization) plays in shaping
gender identity.
3.To acquaint you with feminist theory and research on gender oppression and inequality, and, accordingly, to acquaint you with perspectives that address the institutional and cultural foundations of gender oppression and inequality.
4.To acquaint you with the intersectional nature of gender. You will gain an understanding of how the intersection of multiple social locations (race, class, and sexuality) complicates gender.
GRE Objectives:
Students taking the course should:
a. be able to demonstrate an understanding of the broad processes of multicultural/global issues related to issues of gender, race, and/or ethnicity.
b. be able to compare and contrast issues of gender, race, and/or ethnicity across different cultures.
Students taking the course should:
a. be able to compare past and present discipline-specific theories related to gender, race and/or ethnicity.
Students taking the course should:
a. be able to compare and contrast viewpoints of individuals whose lives differ in terms of gender, race, and/or ethnicity.
Students taking the course should:
a. be able to identify the structure and dynamics of domination and subordination in gender, race and/or ethnicity.
b. be able to analyze the ways in which cultural and societal assumptions about gender, race and/or ethnicity function in individual’s lives.
Students taking the course should:
a. be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills about issues of gender, race and/or ethnicity. b. identify how their personal values relate to and have changed regarding issues of gender, race and/or ethnicity.
Assignments:
A.Homework:
1.Take-Home Projects (15 points each for a total of 60 points)
You will have four take-home exercises to complete. These are short
assignments that ask you to conduct observations of social settings and/or reflect
on the topics under discussion. Please fill them out completely in complete
sentences.
2.A Personal Experience Paper (45 points) (3-5 pages double spaced only)
The focus of your essay will be taken from your own life. It should be an
example of something related to this course that has happened to you personally.
Look over the textbook for ideas. Once you have chosen your topic or experi-
ence, describe the relevant aspects of it as clearly as you can (what happened
from start to finish). Having described the experience, comment upon its signi-
ficance: (a) How does it relate to the material in this course? How is it relevant?
(b) How did you feel at the time and how do you feel about it today? (c) What
did you learn, if anything, from the experience? How do you think it has affected
you? What, if anything, have you done about it? Has your perception of the
experience changed or altered as a result of being in this class?
Sample Topics:
(a) How was I raised? What were the rules? What toys, games, T.V. shows, etc.
influenced me? How have my early childhood experiences affected my beliefs
and behaviors today?
(b) I am married, or about to be, as a heterosexual, or a LGBTIQ. My attitudes
and beliefs about marriage, my experiences with this role are worth talking about
and analyzing.
(c) I am divorced/separated. This is my life. What is good and what is not so
good about being single?
(d) I am gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered/intersexed/questioning. How has
this affected my relations with and perceptions of those around me--friends,
family, co-workers, etc. How has my sexuality affected my perception of
myself, my sense of self-identity?
(e) I have a job/career. Can I get ahead? What do I face? How have women in
this job/career been discriminated against? What are gender issues in the
workplace that affect women and men?
(f) How do I define myself/view myself as an individual? Am I a normative
female? Do I fit the feminine stereotype? Do I want to? Do I know anyone who
does? What do I perceive to be the ideal traits of an ideal woman? Am I a
normative male? Do I fit the male stereotype? Do I want to? What do I
perceive to be the key traits of an ideal man?
B.In-Class Participation Activities (20 points)
There will be a series of four in-class participation exercises throughout the quarter. These activities may be in-class group work or short writing/reflection assignments. You must be present to participate in in-class participation
activities. You cannot make up these activities. You will not be graded on
activities. Instead, you will be assigned 20 class-participation points. Five points
will be deducted for each in-class activity that you miss.
C.Exams (85 points each)
There are two exams. The exams consist of multiple choice, true and false, short
answer, and/or essay questions.
Total Points = 295
D. One Extra Credit Project on Scholarly Article Review – for 5 to possibly 10
points to be added to final grade:
Scholarly Article Review of 1 article in FEMINIST FRONTIERS (8th edition)
that has not been included on the reading list and syllabus for INST 205, but that
is available in the same textbook – Dr. Schmidt will provide the handout and
instructions for it. It will be due on October 23, or it may be handed in sooner
than the due date.
Grading Policies:
NO MAKE UP ASSIGNMENTS OR EXAMS. You must have a very serious reason and a verifiable (i.e., a medical note or letter for you or your child’s illness, a letter from your employer, etc.) reason for missing an exam or assignment.
Attendance:
Roll will not be taken. However, your ability to do well in this course is correlated to your attendance. Studies show that grades are linked to attendance. Moreover, you cannot make-up in-class work. You are responsible for your absences and must
face the consequences should they affect your grades adversely.
Classroom Conduct:
Please do not arrive late or leave early. Please inform Dr. Schmidt, in advance, when you must arrive late or leave the class early. If this cannot be avoided, please sit in the back of the class so that you do not disturb others. Please turn off your cell phones and/or handheld devices. Cell phones create a disruption of the instructional
environment. Please store them in your backpacks, purses, or under your desk
while attending class.
Some of the material that is covered in this course is sensitive in nature and can spark debate. Dr. Schmidt encourages discussion and debate and wants all students to feel comfortable expressing their views about the materials/themes covered in the course. However, discussion and debate should always focus on the content of the points made in the readings, in my lectures, or during class discussions. This is not a course about opinions, but rather, a course on Women & Gender Studies academic research. For example, what are the facts in the article concerning the research approach and the scholarly findings. Personal verbal attacks are not acceptable forms of discussion and debate (see the example below).
Example:
Inappropriate response:That's a really stupid thing to say. What a dumb idea. You are wrong.
Appropriate response:I understand your point, but I see it a little differently. I think...(express your point).
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism occurs when you use material (e.g., exact written or spoken words, a summary of written or spoken words/sentences, and even an idea that you heard about on TV, the radio, or read in an article or book) that someone else has produced without giving credit to the original author. When you use someone’s words, arguments, and ideas you must be sure that you indicate (cite) where the material came from in your paper. Also, buying a paper, book report, or essay or having someone else write your paper, book report, or essay counts as plagiarism. I will follow the guidelines for plagiarism in the CSUB Catalog which includes assigning a failing grade for the course and placing a note in your academic file.
Here are some examples of the proper way to cite a text for a sociology course:
Direct Quote: Memory has a social basis. As Albert Memmi (1957: 103) states, “Just as the memory of an individual is the fruit of his history and physiology, that of a people rests upon its institutions.”
Paraphrase: Memory has a social basis. The memory of a people is rooted in their social institutions (Memmi, 1957: 102).
Course Text:
Verta Taylor, Nancy Whittier & Leila Rupp. 2009 (Eighth Edition). Feminist Frontiers. New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN: 978-0-07-340430-1
Calendar of Readings
Week One (9/10 & 9/12)
Monday (9/10):
Introductions
Film: Paving the Way
Wednesday (9/12):
Topic: Diversity and Difference (Readings from Section One)
Read:
K. Springer, “Being the Bridge…”, pp. 7-12
P. McIntosh, “White Privilege…”, pp. 9-17 (includes Box insert S. Rohrer’s “Haole Girl…”)
P. Allen, “Where I Come from Is Like This…”, pp. 34-39 ( includes Box insert A. Lorde, “The Master’s Tools...”)
______
Week Two (9/17 & 9/19)
Monday (9/17):
Topic:Theoretical Perspectives (Reading from Section Two)
Read:
J. Lorber, “Night to His Day…”, pp. 53-68
Film: Gender: the Enduring Paradox
Take-Home Assignment #1 Due: Project 5.5 Cultural Messages about Gender Roles: An Analysis of Children’s Media
Wednesday (9/19):
Topic:Theoretical Perspectives and Diversity and Difference Continued (Readings from Section One & Section Two)
Read:
M. Baca Zinn & B. Thornton Dill, “Theorizing Difference…”, pp. 89-96 (includes Box insert R. Garland-Thomson’s, “Feminism and Disability…”)
C. Talpade Mohanty, “Feminism without Borders”, pp. 97-102
L. Lopez & F. Hasso, “Frontlines and Borders…”, pp. 20-33
______
Week Three (9/24 & 9/26)
Monday (9/24):
Topic: Socialization (Readings from Section Four)
Read:
B. Thorne, “Girls and Boys Together….” , pp.176-186
M. Kimmel, “What Are Little Boys Made Of?”, pp. 187-192 (includes Box insert K. Nelson’s, “The Making of a Soldier…”)
Film: Tough Guise
Wednesday (9/26):
Topic: Violence Against Women (Reading from Section Nine)
Read:
P. Martin and R. Hummer, “Fraternities and Rape on Campus”, pp. 471-480
K. Crenshaw, “Mapping the Margins…”, pp. 484-494
G. Steinem, “Supremacy Crimes”, pp. 480-484 (includes Box insertNaguib, “Understanding Sexual Harassment…”)
Film: No Safe Place
In-Class Activity #1: Project 3.3 Socialization of Aggression: Modeling, Rewards, and Punishments.
______
Week Four (10/1 & 10/3)
Monday (10/1):
Topic:Representation, Language and Culture (Readings from Section Three)
Read:
D. Gimlin, “Cosmetic Surgery: Paying for Your Beauty”, pp. 140-153
I. Banks, “Hair Still Matters”, pp. 153-161
Film: Dr. Jean Kilbourne : “The Strength to Resist: Beyond Killing Us Softly”
Take Home Assignment #2 Due: Project 11.3 Body Image: How Satisfied are Men and Women with Their Bodies?
Wednesday (10/3):
Topic:Representation, Language & Culture (Reading from Section Three)
Read:
L. Richardson, “Gender Stereotyping in the English Language” , pp. 120-127 (includes Box insert G. Yep and A. Camacho’s, “The Normalization of Heterogendered…”)
In-Class Activity #2: Project 4.4 Using Nonsexist Language
Film: Gender War/Gender Peace
Assignment Due: Personal Experience Paper (10/3)
______
Week Five (10/8 & 10/10)
Monday (10/8):
Topic: Sexualities (Readings from Section Seven)
Read:
D. Tollman, “Doing Desire: Adolescent Girls’ Struggles for/with Sexuality”, pp. 348-358
L. Rupp, “Loving Women in the Modern World”, pp. 389-399
In-Class Activity #3:Project 2.3 Heterosexism in Research: The Heterosexual Questionnaire
Film: Being Gay
Wednesday (10/10):
Topic: Bodies (Readings from Section Eight)
Read:
B. W. Thompson, “A Way Outa No Way: Eating Problems Among African-American, Latina, and White Women” , pp. 421-430
A. Smith, “Beyond Pro-Choice versus Pro-Life: Women of Color…”, pp. 446-457
B. Ehrenreich, “Welcome to Cancerland”, pp. 458-468 (includes Box insert E. Clare’s “Stolen Bodies…”)
In-Class Activity #4:Project 1.1 Cultural Images of Men and Women in the Media
______
Week Six (10/15 &10/17)
Monday (10/15):
Exam #1 –Mid-term
Wednesday (10/17):
Topic: Work (Readings from Section Five)
Read:
C. Bose & R. Bridges Whaley, “Sex Segregation in the U.S. Labor Force”, pp. 233-242
(includes Box insert N. Whittier’s, “Median Annual Earnings…”)
E. Boris, “Desirable Dress: Rosies, Sky Girls and the Politics of Appearance”, pp. 243-253
Film: Dr. Marilyn Waring: Who’s Counting?
______
Week Seven (10/22 & 10/24)
Monday (10/22):
Topic: Work Continued (Readings from Section Five)
Read:
P. Hondagneu-Sotelo, “Maid in LA”, pp. 269-287 (includes Box insert, E. Boris’s, “The Living Wage”)
M. Kang, “The Managed Hand…in Korean Immigrant-Owned Nail Salons”, pp. 253-268 (includes Box insert B. Reskin’s, “The Realities of Affirmative Action…”)
Film: Beyond the Glass Ceiling (CNN)
Take Home Assignment #3 Due: Project 7.1 Occupational Segregation in the Workplace
Wednesday (10/24):
Topic: Global Politics and the State (Readings from Section Ten)
Read:
C. Enloe, “The Globe Trotting Sneaker”, pp. 512-516
J. Doezema, “Las Mujeres Invisibles/The Invisible Women”, pp. 517-526 (includes Box insert P. Donohoe’s, “Femicide in Juarez”)
L. Abu-Lughod, “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?”, pp. 527-538 (includes Box insert Riverbend’s , “Bagdad Burning…”)
______
Week Eight (10/29 & 10/31)
Monday (10/29):
Topic:Families (Readings from Section Four & Section Six)
Read:
Y. Le Espiritu, “We Don’t Sleep Around Like White Girls…”, pp. 193-206
D. Segura, “Working at Motherhood: Chicana and Mexicana Immigrant Mothers and Employment” , pp. 308-321
Take Home Assignment #4 Due: Project 10.2 Balancing Multiple Roles
Wednesday (10/31):
Topic: Families Continued (Readings from Section Six)
Read:
K. Gerson, “Moral Dilemmas, Moral Strategies..”, pp. 322-331
H. Cam Thai, “For Better or Worse: Gender Allures in the Vietnamese Global Marriage Market” , pp. 331-341
N. Naples, “Queer Parenting in the New Millennium” pp. 342-345
Film: Lesbian Families (from 20/20)
EXTRA CREDIT PROJECT DUE - SCHOLARLY ARTICLE REVIEW (10/31)
______
Week Nine (11/5 & 11/7)
Monday (11/5):
Topic: Social Protest and the Feminist Movement (Readings from Section 11)
Read:
V. Taylor, N. Whittier and C. Pelak,. “The Women’s Movement: Persistence through Transformation”, pp. 556-572; Film: TBA
Wednesday (11/7):
Topic: Social Protest Continued (Readings from Section 11)
Read:
P. Aronson, “Feminists or “Postfeminists”? Young Women’s Attitudes…”, pp. 572-584
(includes Box insert N. Stewart’s, “Transform The World…”); Film: TBA
______
Week Ten (11/12 & 11/14)
Monday (11/12)
NO CLASS - VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY
Wednesday (11/14):
Topic: Social Protest Continued (Readings from Section 11)
Read:
C. Cohen, “Punks, Bulldaggers, and Welfare Queens...”, pp. 596-616 (includes 2 Box inserts on “UN Commission…” and “Fourth World Conference…”)
Wednesday (11/14):
Catch up and Feminist Comedy film: “Women and Comedy series: Kathy & Mo”
Monday (11/19)
Final Exam Review
Last Day of Class is November 19 – Final Exam Review
______
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, November 28, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Students with Disabilities: To request academic accommodations due to a
disability, please contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) as soon as possible. Their office is located in SA 140, and they may be reached at 661-654-3360 (voice), or 661-654-6288 (TDD). If you have an accommodations letter from the SSD Office documenting that you have a disability, please present the letter to me during my office hours as soon as possible so we can discuss the specific accommodations that you might need in this class.
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