Course Description
This course will focus on an overview of the theoretical, empirical, and applied literature related to gender. Students will critically analyze research on gender and psychology, describe constructivist and essentialist perspectives to psychological issues related to gender, and relate course content to their own gendered experiences. Topics include sex and gender differences and similarities in physical development, mental abilities, mental health issues and coping, spirituality, personality, social behavior, gender socialization in the context of ethnicity and class, sexual orientation, health, workplace, and media portrayal. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Describe theoretical foundations and empirical support for sex and gender differences and similarities across a variety of psychological domains;
- Differentiate the biological and learned or socially constructed sex and gender differences across a variety of psychological domains;
- Describe the diversity within and between genders across various psychological domains;
- Apply the concepts examined in the course to their own experiences.
- Describe and critique the portrayal of gender in the media.
- Apply the concepts examined in the course to a research project
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Research Paper (Week 7) | 40% |
Discussion & Assignments | 60% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak's online bookstore
- Brannon, L. Gender: Psychological Perspectives. 7th ed. Boston: Pearson Education, 2017. ISBN 13: 978-1-138-18234-9
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 2, 4, 5 | Topic: Why Study Gender?
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2 | 1, 2, 3 | Topic: Biology and Gender
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3 | 1, 5 | Topic: Theories of Gender, Gender and Media
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4 | 3, 4 | Topic: Gender Stereotyping and Relationships
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5 | 3, 4 | Topic: Sexuality
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6 | 1, 6 | Topic: Stress, Coping, Cognitive Abilities, and Mental Disorders
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7 | 1, 6 | Topic: Gender and Emotion, Education and Schooling
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8 | 6 | Topic: Careers and Work, Reflections on Differences
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.