Sociology/Anthropology 325
Women and Society
Spring 2003

To be a woman in America at the close of the 20th century--what good fortune.  That's what we keep hearing, anyway.  the barricades have fallen, politicians assure us.  Women have "made it," Madison Avenue cheers.  Women's fight for equality has "largely been won," Time magazine announces....  Women have so many opportunities now, corporate leaders say, that we don't really need equal opportunity policies.  Women are so equal now, lawmakers say, that we no longer need an Equal Rights Amendement.  Women have "so much," former President Ronald Regan says, that the White House no longer needs to appoint them to higher office (Faludi, S.  Backlash.  NY:  Crown, 1991, p. ix.)

People are naturally able to think critically....  How interesting that formal systems of education and social pressures to accept what one is told so often suppress that keen questioning attitude.  The most powerful force in that suppression may be the sentence "That is the correct answer," which encourages us to believe that there is a correct answer for everything and that an answer once considered correct should never be questioned.  But if we are honest with ourselves, we realize that what is considered "common knowledge" changes over time, and the fact that some assertion has been accepted as trugh does not mean that it is inevitably and forever right. The only way we can make efficient progress is by always questioning the truth of those claims and evaluating both the good and the harm that they might do (Caplan and Caplan. Thinking Critically About Research on Sex and Gender.  NY:  Addison Wesley Longman, 1999, p. xiii).

Course Description:  "An introduction to the study of women's roles, contributions, and perception of society through readings in anthropology and sociology. The focus will be on the effects of gender, race, and ethnicity in the lives of women" (Longwood University Catalog).

Required Readings:

Renzetti, Claire, M. and Daniel J. Curran.  Women, Men, and Society (5th edition).  Boston:  Allyn and Bacon, 2003.

Stone, Linda and Nancy P. McKee.  Gender and Culture in America (2nd edition).  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 2002.

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, students should:

1. understand the historical evolution of contemporary feminism;

2. be familiar with current controversies surrounding issues of women's rights;

3. understand and be able to articulate theoretical explanations for gender differences;

4. be able to critique empirical and theoretical statements regarding gender differences;

5. have developed a "sociological awareness" of gender norms in society.

Course Requirements:  Students are expected to read materials before class and participate in class discussions.  Additionally, students will take three examinations, write two essays, and keep a "journal."

*The instructor reserves the right to revise the grading scale and give pop quizzes if it becomes apparent that the majority of the class is not keeping abreast of assigned reading.

Classroom Etiquette: Arrive to class ON TIME.  Note:  All outside assignments are due at the beginning of class. Work will  NOT be accepted from students arriving to class late.  Stay awake and alert in class.  Do not converse with your neighbor during class unless you are participating in an assigned class activity. Turn off all cell phones and pagers.  Express your opinions in a respectful manner and be respectful of others' opinions.

Attendance Policy:  In an ideal world, all students would attend class every day that was humanly possible because of their deep thirst for knowledge.  Recognizing that we live in a less than ideal world, this instructor enforces the Longwood University attendance, found in the Longwood University Catalog.  According to this policy, students who "miss 10% of the scheduled class meeting times for unexcused absences" (4 class periods) will have their grade lowered one letter grade.  Students who miss a "total (excused and unexcused) of 25% of the scheduled class meeting times" (11 class periods) will automatically receive a grade of "F."  I am fairly reasonable about excusing students from class for illness.  You may call or e-mail me to report your illness.  However, I require a much stricter "standard of proof" of illness when assignments are due or exams are missed (see Exams below).

Honor Code:  Students are expected to abide by the Honor Code.

Disability Accommodations:  Any student who feels she or he may need accommodations based on a disability should make an appointment to see me during office hours.

Inclement Weather Policy:  In the event of inclement weather, tune in to local radio  stations, Richmond television stations, or the Longwood web site to find out if the University is open.  If the University is open and you are unsure whether I will be able to make it in to class, please call my office phone and listen to the voice mail message.  I will leave a voice mail message by 7:30 a.m. notifying students as to whether I will be able to get to class.

Exams:  Three exams will be given during the semester.  Exams will consist of short answer and essay questions.  If you miss an exam due to illness you must notify the instructor within 24 hours of the scheduled exam and provide evidence that medical attention was sought for the infirmity. The exam must be "made up" within one week of the scheduled exam.

Assigned Reading:  Students are expected to read all assigned material BEFORE class.  DO NOT neglect/forget to do the reading before each class.  This is a 300-level course, designed for juniors and seniors.  As such, the volume of reading assigned and the difficulty of reading assigned is appropriate for junior- and senior-level college students.  You are doing yourself and the class a disservice by not completing the reading assignments. Also, be sure to take thorough, yet concise notes on the readings, and have your reading notes with you in class for reference. Pop quizzes on the assigned reading material will be given when it becomes apparent that most of the class members are ignoring the reading and relying solely on the professor for information.  All pop quizzes will be closed book/open note.

Women in Contemporary Culture In-Class Essay:  Students will write an essay at the beginning of the course in which they explain what they believe the status of women in American society is today. The essay will be graded on thoughtfulness, organization, and ability to articulate an argument in writing. The assignment is worth 50 points and will be completed the second class period.

Women in Contemporary Culture Collection:  Students will maintain a "collection" of indicators of women's status in society. Students must find at least 2 indicators per week, from Week 1 through Week 12 (for a total of 24 separate indicators).  Examples of "indicators" of women's status include song lyrics, TV shows, movies, commercials, novels, articles from newspapers and magazines, greeting cards, bumper stickers, posters, clothing, calendars, or personal conversations or experiences. Be creative. Be a sociologist. We se and hear gender images almost constantly.

Some of you will choose to keep the collection as a "journal."  Others may choose different modes of maintaining the collection, including collages, videotape journals, or as a web page on disk.  Regardless of how the final collection is displayed, a written analysis/interpretation of each item must be included. Students must bring at least one item from their collection to class every two weeks.  If you want to play part of an audiotape, CD, or videotape, please have the tape pre-set to the place you want it to start.  Excerpts from audio and videotapes should be no longer than two minutes.  You also may bring in CDs and play parts of songs. You also may show a (decent) website to the class.  Just let me know before class begins if you have any material that needs technology so I will have the equipment in class.  DO NOT TRY TO GATHER THE WHOLE COLLECTION AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER.  YOU MUST MAINTAIN THE COLLECTION CONSISTENTLY THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER.  I may ask to see parts of the collection at any time during the semester.  The assignment is worth 100 points and is due April 7.

Women in Contemporary Culture Final Essay:  At the end of the term, students will submit a 6-8 page essay entitled "The Status of Women in Society Revisited."  In the essay, students must (1) explain what they believe the status of women in society is today, citing at least 3 arguments to support their thesis; and (2) state whether their opinion has remained the same or changed since writing the first essay. Arguments must be based on materials included in their "collection of indicators" and materials presented in class or assigned readings.

The final essay, worth 100 points, must be typed, double-spaced with 1" margins on all four sides, with 12-point font.  The essay will be graded on thoughtfulness, ability to communicate in writing (including organization, grammar, and spelling), ability to articulate and defend a thesis, and ability to synthesize and apply course materials.  The paper is due April 18.

Course Schedule