1) TWO response papers, ~5 pgs. each, on topics to be discussed in class.

2) Group presentations

30pts (broken into specific components that include a bibliography, etc.)

3. Final take-home exam 30 pts

4) Regular class attendance and participation is expected.

TEXTS:

Clinchy, B. M. & Norem, J. K. (Eds.) (1998). Gender and Psychology Reader. New York: NYU Press. (Abbreviated C&N below).

This is a 300 level course. This means:

1) I will not lecture every class. Rather, classes will focus on discussion of the readings and topics, and on the group presentations (later in the course).

2)You will be expected to read original source materials. There will be a lot of reading, some of it difficult.

3) We won't be able to go over every reading specifically in class. You are responsible for asking for clarification of materials in the reading that you do not understand.

4) You will be expected to think, throughout the semester, about connections among the readings and the particular topics of discussion. This means that a reading assigned during the second week may be relevant at any time during the course, and you shouldn't just forget or neglect readings once the date of their assignment has passed. We will refer back to them.

5) You will be expected to be an active participant in both guiding and engaging in class discussion. The success of the course depends on each of us taking responsibility for the discussion. Think about ways to respond to, build on, and help to develop the ideas of others, as well as your own ideas. For example, when relevant, you should ask for clarification and elaboration by others (e.g., "Can you say more about that"? "Would you give some examples of what you mean"? "How are you using the term 'x' when you say that"? "I don't think I understand; do you mean..." "How does your perspective relate to Student X's comment/Author X's ideas"?

6) Class attendance is a vital part of the course.

There are always a variety of backgrounds, interests and motives among those who register for the course, and there are more readings and topics relevant to the class than we can possibly cover in one semester. Thus, in order to choose which topics we will focus on in a given semester, I wait to structure the final syllabus until I know something about the interests of the specific students taking the class in a given semester. The first day of class we will go over possible topics, and brainstorm about things we would like to cover, and review reading assignments for the subsequent week. Each student will submit a list of topics or questions she would like to see us cover during the semester. I will then use these expressions of interest to make the final selection and schedule of readings from the reader.

Topics for papers and group presentations, as well as composition of groups will be discussed in class. Each group will meet with me AT LEAST ONCE before their presentation to the class. Groups will generate both group and individual goals prior to their presentations, as well as bibliographies for their topics. Presentations will be videotaped, and everyone will do an evaluation of their own presentation.

The final exam will be a take-home exam, and subject to College rules and deadlines.

Plagiarism is a violation of the College honor code, (as well as a serious ethical violation generally) and will be dealt with via the College Judiciary. No credit will be given for plagiarized work, and credit for the course will be in jeopardy if plagiarism is confirmed. Plagiarism is the use of another author’s words and/or ideas, without clear attribution to that author. If you have any doubt about what constitutes plagiarism (and many students do!), please talk to me.

YOU MUST KEEP A COPY OF YOUR PAPERS.

GENERAL OUTLINE FOR SEMESTER: Specific readings and topics will be filled-in as they develop in class. The smaller the class, the fewer the group presentations.

1/30 INTRODUCTION "Juggling Gender" video and discussion

1 min. papers on gender

READ for next TWO weeks: C&N Introduction, Ch. 1, Intro to Part 11, Ch 7 (commentaries not required here) & Ch 8 Intro to Part III & Ch. 11. N.B. The length of these sections and chapters varies from a few pages to about 25 pages)

2/6 "Brain Sex" video —question generation in pairs. Small group discussion and summary of issues raised. Brainstorming in groups/skimming gender books for topics. Preparation of topic listing.

2/13

2/20 Monday Schedule–NO CLASS

2/27

3/6

3/13

3/20 SPRING BREAK

3/27

4/3

4/10

4/17

4/24

5/1

5/8