Gender and Society

Catalog description

Exploration of the social roles that are ascribed to females and males within society and the social behavior expected within the constraints of femininity and masculinity. Exploration of the social processes of creating, maintaining and changing sex/gender roles through the analysis of social institutions and social structures, using both theoretical and experiential perspectives. Students will become familiar with the social forces that help construct personal identity and consciousness and shape our belief systems as gendered beings. Gender will be explored on the personal level, the societal level and the global level, with cross-cultural perspectives, as well as the historical roots of gender, being presented. Sociological theories will be considered as explanatory tools for understanding the impact of gender and its resulting imperative responsibilities and problems.