Beyond Choice: The Social Dimensions of Reproduction

Catalog description

Should we have children? How, when, and with whom should we have children? How should we avoid having children? While issues related to reproduction are often framed as individual choices, they are also political, cultural, and social. In this class, we will examine how individual choices are shaped by the social world, analyzing how norms, relationships, policies, and laws influence reproduction. We will discuss contemporary issues of reproduction - such as pregnancy and birth, abortion, contraception, and reproductive technologies - through the lenses of race, class, and gender inequality. No sociology experience is necessary; just bring curiosity about the social world! We will learn and apply sociological theories - think of them as "lenses" or "big ideas" - to contemporary reproduction topics. Some topics from the course include: the historical legacy of policies controlling who could have children (eugenics); movements for and against abortion; the "birth control revolution;" technologies (like IVF) that facilitate parenting for infertile, single, and queer people; how feminists and tradwives shape reproduction narratives; and the history and culture of birth in the US. Through such topics, we will learn theories about gender and inequality. Students will read academic texts and news articles, listen to podcasts, and watch films. We will take a trip to an off-campus museum exhibit related to reproduction. Throughout the quarter, students will research a reproduction topic of their choice, culminating in a presentation to the class. We will use a form of contract grading to encourage improvement over time to master the material.