Semester.ly

Johns Hopkins University | AS.230.255

The Sociology of Gender and Sexuality

3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

(3.66)

This course will examine the processes by which gender is socially constructed and how society and its social institutions structure life chances based on gender. It employs Barbara J. Risman’s (2004) conceptualization of “gender as a social structure’: “Gender is deeply embedded as a basis for stratification not just in our personalities, our cultural rules, or institutions but in all these, and in complicated ways.” Course lectures and assignments for this course center on the distinction between biological sex and sociological gender, causes and consequences of gender inequality, and the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, race-ethnicity, class, religions, and other social structures in contemporary society and in everyday life. Students will examine theories of gender through scholarly literature, and popular films are used to help offer insight into gender theory, research, and social and academic commentary. Though the course will primarily cover gender as enacted in the United States, other countries and their gender dynamics will also be addressed.

Fall 2014

(4.13)

Spring 2013

(3.19)

Fall 2014

Professor: Katrina McDonald

(4.13)

Students in this interactive course praised it for being a good survey of gender issues. Perceived issues with the course centered on a belief that the course was poorly organized with students complaining of lackluster feedback from the instructor as well as unclear expectations on assignments. Suggestions for improvement varied. Most students in the course said they wished the course had more structure with a request in particular for better guidance on expectations for assignments. Prospective students should know that students found that while the course wasn’t writing intensive there was a fair amount of writing in the course.

Spring 2013

Professor: Katrina McDonald

(3.19)

260The best aspects of the course were the interesting films, readings, and class discussions. The worst aspects of the course included the lengthy final paper assignment, rushed PowerPoint slides, and the class discussions led by the professor. The class was extremely disorganized and filled with unclear guidelines and ever-changing assignment due dates. Also, the professor seemed to personalize many of the discussions and almost always ended up veering off subject. The course would improve if the syllabus was clearly defined, if the PowerPoint slides were made available post-lecture, and if the class discussions were more focused. Prospective students should be prepared to discuss some interesting topics and should put forth effort to get much out of the course.