SOC 225 : Sociology of Gender - 3 Credits
Overview
Through various readings, collaborative exercises, and writings, students will analyze the influence of major social institutions and socialization in shaping and changing sex roles in contemporary society. Students will also examine differential access to positions of public power and authority for men and women. Major topics include the difference between sex and gender, gender socialization, gender and the major social instituions, and the relationship between gender, race, and class.
Objectives
If you do well in this course, you will be able to:
- Understand how one of your most basic aspects of personal identity – gender – is socially and culturally shaped;
- Increase your understanding of social dynamics by examining social life through the lens of gender;
- Gain empirical knowledge about the ways in which men and women experience social life in contemporary society;
- Examine your experience of gender roles and feel empowered to alter these if you choose to do so.
Materials
This course has been designated as OER, which means it makes use of free digital materials. There is no textbook cost for NOVA students who take this course.
The required textbook and materials for this course are:
1. What is Gender? Sociological Approaches by Mary Holmes. This text is available via the NOVA library as an eBook, free to NOVA students. You must be logged onto to MyNOVA to access the book. Click on the textbook title to access it.
2. Each unit also contains other reading materials, websites, and videos. These materials are freely available to you in digital form.
Grading
Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)
Assignment |
Points |
| Intro Quiz (1@5 pts.) | 5 |
| Quizzes (6@25 pts.) | 150 |
| Discussions (5@ 20 pts.) | 100 |
| Blogs (5@ 20 pts.) | 100 |
| Short Essays (9@25 pts. each) | 225 |
| Exams (2@160 pts. each) | 320 |
| Total: | 900 |
You must pass the final exam with a grade of "C" (175/250 points) to pass the course.
Grading Scale |
Points |
A |
806-900 |
B |
716-805 |
C |
626-715 |
D |
536-625 |
F |
0-535 |