Sociology of Women
SYD 4810, section 7205
Fall 2007: MWF 6th in Anderson 0034 (new location!)
Instructor: Kristin E. Joos, Ph. D.
Office: 3231 Turlington
Office Phone: 392-0265, ext. 286
Office Hours: Mon, Wed, and Fri 3rd period, available other times by appointment.
Email: kjoos@soc.ufl.edu
AIM: syg2000kristin (for "virtual office hours")
Class Web page: http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/kjoos/fall07/syd4810
TI: Emily Rollo - emily.rollo@gmail.com
Required Texts:
Andersen, Margaret L., Thinking About Women: Sociological Perspectives on Sex and Gender, 7th ed. Allyn and Bacon
ISBN: 0-205-45647-2, copyright 2006
Taylor, Whittier, and Rupp, Feminist Frontiers, 7th ed. McGraw Hill.
ISBN: 0-07-319608-8, copyright 2007
Other Readings will be posted online through E-Reserves or made available in class.
Where to get your books: The books are ONLY available at Wild Iris Books (802 West University Avenue • 375-7477 • wildirisbooks@bellsouth.net).Course Description
This course serves as an upper-division course in Sociology both for Sociology majors and those in other majors who find the topic interesting and are seeking three elective credits. It also counts towards the major & minor in Womens & Gender Studies. In this course we will discuss the social construction of women-- and how gender, femininity, and "what it means to be a woman" change in different contexts. We will also explore how gendered inequalities and identities are shaped, in particular contexts, through race, class, sexuality, and religion, and what implications this has for the study of women's lives and realities. Critical thinking will be engaged to examine and challenge the forces that influence these definitions. Throughout the course we will pay careful attention to the interconnections between the production of knowledge and creating social change.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
Philosophy of Teaching & Learning
- Define and describe the core concepts that have been discussed in class regarding the social construction of gender & women and institutions impacting the lived realities of women in society.
- Describe and apply basic sociological concepts and theories to analyze the notions of gender, femininity, and "what it means to be a woman" that we discussed
- Think and write critically about how gender intersects with other aspects of one's identity (often causing multiple jeopardy for women who are marginalized)
- Engage in critical debate about how notions of gender affect American society and how to challenge the status quo
My philosophy of the teaching/learning experience is an interactive one. This is your class. I expect each of you to contribute to this experience through active discussion. I will NOT be feeding you facts that you will then regurgitate. Instead, ideas will be presented and we will all challenge ourselves to think critically about these ideas. The format of this class includes some lecture, a lot of discussion (class and small group), films, in-class assignments, exams, service-learning, and a final project. I expect everyone to contribute to the teaching/learning experience these next few months, so if you see or hear something outside of class that you think is relevant to what we have been discussing, please bring it to class and share with the rest of us. You are strongly recommended to participate in campus & community events related to the issues we discuss in class.Class Requirements and Evaluation Criteria:
Schedule of Topics
Assignment Possible Points
FINAL Grade Total Points 1 Information Sheet 10 A 273 and above Participation - 8 In Class Assignments (count best 8 of 10, 5 points each) 40 B+ 255-272 2 Exams - 65 points each
130 B 240-254 Community Service Project (incl. Ethics form for 10pts)
60 C+ 225-239 Final Project (50) + Proposal (10)
60 C 210-224
D+ 195-209 TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS 300 D 180-194
E 179 and below In Class Assignments
There will be 10 In Class Assignments (ICAs) over the semester:Only 8 ICAs, worth 5 points each, will count toward your grade (you can miss 2 or drop your 2 lowest scores) Usually ICAs will not be announced and will occur during a class period (sometimes you may be required to turn it in the following day). If you arrive to class late and miss the ICA you will not be permitted to take it during or after class-- please don't ask. Make-ups are not permitted.
Most ICAs will be in the format of exercises and activities. If it becomes apparent that the class is not keeping up with the readings, they will be "quizzes" of short answer questions covering the assigned readings. A few ICAs may be assigned to complete outside of class as a sort of "homework" assignment.
ICAs are scored on a scale of 0-5. 5s will be given rarely, for exceptionally outstanding work. If you thoroughly complete the readings and make an effort to engage in the material, you're likely to earn 4s. Average, satisfactory work will be given 3s. Students whose work does not reflect having read the articles and is poor in quality will be given grades of 2 and below. They are intended to give you credit for participation & preparation and monitor your progress in the materials covered. Exams
There will be 2, non-cumulative exams each worth 65 points possible. Exams will consist of:Community Service ProjectsA combination of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and brief essays... details will be given prior to each exam. You will be responsible for material from lectures, discussions, in class assignments, videos, guest speakers, and readings (including those on the web) Makeups will only be permitted in Emergency situations (such as illness requiring medical treatment or the death of a close family member), you must have written documentation. These will be handled on an individual basis, please contact me asap
Specific details about the Community Service Assignments are here.
Thanks to the Center for Leadership & Service in planning and preparing our service-learning experience.Final Projects
The Projects are not formal term papers with literature reviews, etc. Instead, they will be engaging activities that integrate the material from the entire semester with personal experience and perhaps even the opportunity to create change. All Final Projects will be due 12/3.
We will talk more about the project expectations during class and details will be linked here when available. Part of your project grade will entail submitting a proposal which will be due 9/28. For more information, click here.
Important Dates
Fri. 8/31 - Information Sheet Due
Mon. 9/3 - Labor Day - NO CLASS
Fri. 9/28 - Final Project Proposals Due
Fri. 10/19 - EXAM 1
Fri. 11/2 - Homecoming - NO CLASS
Mon. 11/12 - Veterans Day - NO CLASS
Mon. 11/19 - Community Service Projects Due
Wed. 11/21 - Fri. 11/23 - Thanksgiving - NO CLASS
Mon. 12/3 - Review for Exam 2 & Final Projects Due
Wed. 12/5 - EXAM 2
Course Schedule & Reading Assignments are tentative-- changes will be announced in class. Detailed reading assignments including specific sections in your text to focus on, articles, web readings, videos, class exercises, and other helpful information are listed in the Detailed Readings section of the class website. Please complete the readings before coming to class on the day they're assigned. Andersen = chapter in Thinking About Women text & FF = number of reading in the Feminist Frontiers text. Articles "on reserve" have been scanned by the UF library and may be viewed or printed from the internet.Classroom Environment:
Spontaneity Clause: Due to the number of guest lecturers and activities, I reserve the ability revise the schedule as necessary. Advance notice will be given when possible.
Date Readings F. 8/24
M. 8/27
Introduction & Course Overview
Online- Among Affluent Students, a Culture of Disengagement http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/kjoos/fall06/syg2000/flacks.pdf
Online- Claiming an Education by Adrienne RichW. 8/29
F. 8/31
W. 9/5
Intro to Studying Women as a Social Construction
Andersen Chapter 1
FF 1, 5 & box p. 93
-What does a "feminist" look like? Online Ms. Magazine reading
F. 9/7
M. 9/10
W. 9/12
F. 9/14
The Social Construction of Gender & what it means to be a woman in society
Andersen Chapter 2
FF 6, 7, 16 & boxes p. 33, 494
E-reserves - Lorber Why 5 Sexes arent enough & The Social Construction of Gender, West & Zimmerman Doing Gender, Risman Gender as Structure
M. 9/17
W. 9/19
F. 9/21
M. 9/24
W. 9/26
Culture and the Media
Andersen Chapter 3
FF 11, 12, 13, 14
F. 9/28 Final Project Proposals Due
M. 10/1
W. 10/3
F. 10/5
Education
Andersen Chapter 10
FF 15 & box p. 152
E-reserves - Chronicle: Women in Higher Education
M. 10/8
W. 10/10
F. 10/12
M. 10/15
Work & the Economy
Andersen Chapter 5
FF 19, 22, 21, 46 & boxes p. 204, 229, 250
W. 10/17
F. 10/19
Review
Exam 1
M. 10/22
W. 10/24
F. 10/26
M. 10/29
W. 10/31
Intimate Relationships & Families
Andersen Chapter 4 & 6
FF 28, 29 - relationships; 31, 32 - sexual orientation; 23, 26 - weddings; 25, 27 - parenting
F. 11/2
Homecoming - No Class
M. 11/5
W. 11/7
F. 11/9
W. 11/14
Reproduction, Health, and Healthcare
Andersen Chapter 7
FF 33, 37; 36, 35
M. 11/12
Veterans Day - No Class
F. 11/16 Religion
Andersen Chapter 8
FF 45
M. 11/19
Power, Politics, Policy, and Law
Andersen Chapter 11
Community Service Projects Due
W. 11/21
F. 11/23
Thanksgiving - No Class
M. 11/26
W. 11/28
F. 11/30
Creating Change: Social Movements & Activism
Andersen Chapter 12 & 13
FF 2, 47, 48 & box p. 532
Women Organizing: Many Issues, Many Voices
E-reserves- Hill Collins Towards a New Vision
M. 12/3
W. 12/5
Review & Final Projects Due
Exam 2
• When you are in this classroom, you should be focused on actively engaging in the material at hand. You should not read the Alligator (or any other newspaper, magazine, or textbook for another course). You should not write letters or complete assignments for other courses. You should not text message or check to see if you've received messages. If you're using a laptop, please do not surf the internet, write emails, play games, or anything else other than take notes for class. Please turn off any functions that make noise on your cell phones, PDAs, and other devices. If for some reason (family emergency) you must accept a call during class, please let me know ahead of time and excuse yourself quietly to take your call outside of the classroom. You should not engage in any conversations when others are speaking. Your responsibility is to be mentally engaged in the material that is being presented without disturbing others.A Note about Technology:
• Class sessions will begin and end on time. All announcements will be made at the beginning of class each day, so if you're late, you may miss important information. If you arrive to class late and miss the ICA you will not be permitted to take it during or after class-- please don't ask. If you have personal questions or concerns about the class, please hold them until after class, see me during office hours, or email me. Do not start packing up your backpacks and books until class has been officially dismissed-- doing so will prevent you and your classmates from hearing important announcements about the course.
• During the first few classes, I'll pass around a sheet for you to indicate your seat. This is an effort to help me learn your names and identify you during class discussions. Please choose a seat you like and plan to sit there each class period.
• This is a course in which very interesting – and sometimes controversial – issues are considered. Ideally, every student in the course will be actively involved in classroom discussions. In order for everyone to feel comfortable voicing their opinions or asking their questions, a climate of tolerance and respect is essential. No racist, sexist, ageist, heterosexist, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate or personally insulting comments (including "male-bashing") will be tolerated. In this classroom, everyone has the right to their own opinion and the right to a classroom free from hostility, ridicule, or embarrassment. It is likely that we will discuss volatile social issues and disagree regularly. In order to create an atmosphere conducive to learning, every student is expected to participate in a responsible and mature manner that enhances education. As the classroom facilitator, I reserve the right to end any discussion that I feel is damaging to any member of the class.
• On the first day of class I will ask you to complete an information sheet about yourself. This is so that I can get to know you better-- your interests, your learning styles, and any special needs you may have. I have created a class website and your detailed readings are posted there. It is important to check the site regularly. Please let me know asap if this is going to be a problem for you. Please do not ask me to post my lecture notes, I will not.Email Etiquette for Students in Dr. Joos’s Sociology Classes … 6 Tips
• I will post your grades online. Please be patient-- I can't instantly grade 60 assignments or exams. Due to University Policy, I can not post your grade by your student number. You will be asked to make-up a short (8 letters or less) code word and turn it in to me on your Information Sheet. Please choose something that you will remember and that does not identify you to other students (don't use a nickname).I'll post the grades using your "codeword" on the class website.
• I will be holding "virtual office hours." I think I made up the phrase... what it means is that I'll be online in an AIM chatroom (syd4810kristin) regularly throughout the semester. In the past students have really liked this- actually, a number of them recommended I make your participation required. We will definitely have "virtual office hours" right before the projects are due. If you want to go ahead and add "syd4810kristin" to your buddy list, feel free to IM me if you ever see me online. If you are shy or have difficulty stopping by my office, you may contact me by email or IM during my office hours.
• I think that the internet is great way to get information and to communicate with others quickly and efficiently. UF requires you to own a computer, BUT they fail to teach you HOW to use it. If you are not comfortable with email, the internet, or using AIM (AOL instant messenger) please let me know.
1. We will have a cass email list based on your Gatorlink email address. Learn to check your Gatorlink often. Click here for more information on forwarding Gatorlink email.
Before emailing Dr. Joos, ask yourself if you can find the answer to your question from another resource-- if its advising related, perhaps www.registrar.ufl.edu or www.ufadvising.ufl.edu. If its class related, perhaps you can find the answer on the syllabus, the detailed readings online or other information on the course website.
2. Do not email Dr. Joos to ask for the class notes, as your syllabus says, I do not distribute them to students. Also, do not email Dr. Joos to inquire about the posting of grades (asking when they will be posted, if there appears to be a mistake, etc.) these questions should be addressed to the Assistant who will promptly reply or will ask Dr. Joos to email you if they are unable to answer your questions.
3. When emailing Dr. Joos or the TA, make sure to include the following information:
-in the subject line: “question from your name in your course number” (as I'm teaching 4 courses)
-example of a proper subject line: question from Jane Doe in SYG2010
...never leave the subject line blank (or my spamblocker will delete your message)
-in the signature of your email be sure to include your first and last name, your email address, and your UFID number
-avoid sending unduly large emails or attachments (>1MB)
-do not send messages with the words "help" or "urgent" in the subject line. If you are truly in an emergency, you should be calling 911 and not emailing your instructor.
4. Remember that faculty members do not work 24/7 (actually we sometimes do, but we have numerous other obligations on campus in addition to teaching your class). It is unreasonable to expect reply within a few hours. In general, I will reply to your emails during my office hours and in the afternoons, so if you're wondering when you'll hear from me, checkout my office hours listed on my syllabus. For example, if you email me on Friday evening (after my office hours) I may not be able to reply until the following Monday (during office hours), however, I will make a concerted effort to write back sooner, when able. Do not email the night before class and expect a reply before we see each other in class. Do NOT email the night before an exam, or before a project, or paper is due and expect a reply before class.
5. If you are in a difficult situation (extremely ill and needing to miss an exam, severely injured, engaged in a family emergency, etc.) and need to ask to be excused from something or need an extension, make sure to contact me as soon as possible by email. Our phone system is funny and it doesn't ring in my office, it goes straight to voicemail.
6. When emailing faculty or administrators, be sure to use complete sentences and write as if you are typing a business letter-- NOT as if you are instant messaging friends. Avoid using abbreviations and improperly spelled words. You should always communicate with faculty with the utmost respect (as you may be asking them to write a letter of recommendation for you to get into graduate school or other endeavors). If an instructor or advisor does something for you (like writes you a letter of recommendation, takes care to go out of their way to help you or give you advice) be sure to write them a personal thank you letter (preferably a card rather than an email).
Having said all of that-- I do hope to hear from you if you genuinely need to contact me... and moreover, I welcome you to stop by my office hours, that's what they are for.
Important Notes:
• If you have questions, please ASK-- either during class, in my office, or email me (kjoos@soc.ufl.edu)
• If you have any special needs or considerations, please let me know as soon as possible so I may make the necessary accommodations.
• If you are experiencing an extenuating circumstance (personal/family emergency, health concern, or other serious problem) I strongly recommend you contact the Dean of Students Student Support Office they are there to help you.
• Information on this syllabus is tentative & subject to change. Adjustments & revisions will be announced in class.
• By enrolling in this course, you are indicating your consent to the following Honor Code:
We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied:
"On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."
(from the Student Guide, http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/procedures/academicguide.html)
• Students who violate the Academic Honesty Guidelines will be penalized according to the procedures outlined in the guide above, which include failing the course. If you have any questions as to the integrity of your conduct, read the information in the link above. "I didn't know," is not an excuse.
© Please do not use course materials without permission.