Gender in U.S. Society

Students will explore definitions and dimensions of gender, the gender binary, and a gender continuum; acquire a broad and critical understanding of the contributions of the women’s movement to contemporary culture; discuss what it means to be female, what it means to be male, and what it means to be transgendered or transsexual in US society, explore perspectives on the role that social “rules” about gender play in work, family life, parenting, education, violence, sexuality, and other arenas; analyze contemporary social issues in relation to gender; and explore what it takes to constructively participate in face to face interpersonal and small group dialogues on topics around gender. Class time consists of lectures, constructive dialogue, guest speakers, student projects and presentations on topics of interest, and interactive experiential activities. The course utilizes an extensive reading list as well as informal and formal writing assignments. Students engage with the community through attending workshops and visiting local resources. This course runs every other spring during even years (2022, 2024).