Instructor: Stephen Sills

Section: 1717/ 1718

Location: MCC
Email: Stephen.Sills@asu.edu
Required Text: Women, Men & Society 5/e by Renzetti & Curran

SOC 212 Women and Men in a Changing Society

Course Description:
A study of the way culture shapes and defines the positions and roles of both men and women in society. Major
emphasis on social conditions which may lead to a broadening of sex roles and a reduction of sex-role stereotypes and
the implications of these changes. Open to both men and women. Prerequisites: None.

Evaluation:
Evaluating what you understand will happen in short assignments, exams and reaction papers, and class participation.
There are 1000 pts available. Grades will be calculated as:
Short Assignments 30% (300 pts)
Exams 35% (350 pts)
Reaction Papers 30% (300 pts)
Attendance and Participation 5% (50 pts)
Attendance Bonus and Extra Credit +5% (50 pts)
Grading Scale:
The final course grades will be determined by the following scale:
895-1000 points = A (90%-100%)
795-894 points = B (80%-89%)
695-794 points = C (70%-79%)
595-694 points = D (60%-69%)
0-594 points = F (0%-59%)
Short Assignments
On a regular basis students will have short assignments based in part on the reading materials, handouts and class
discussions. Students are expected to complete the assignments before class as they will be used for the basis of in class
collaborative work and debate.

Exams:
There will be three exams. Exams 1 & 2 are worth 100 pts each. The final Exam covers a greater portion of the text and
is worth 150 pts. Exams will cover the information from readings, lectures, discussions, and assignments. Attendance is
imperative to success on exams! Exam format includes true/false, multiple choice, short answer, and short essay
questions. An exam study-guide will be provided the class before the exam to help you focus your studies. Missed exams
must be completed within one week of the missed exam. Missed exams must be scheduled prior and taken in the Testing
Center during non-lecture hours. Ability to take a missed exam relies on a documented excuse.
Reaction Papers:
A central component of this course is the ability to apply what you have learned to a social concern of personal relevance
to you. There will be three short papers (100 pts. each) that take the form of short essays covering topics presented in
class and in the readings. Instructions for each paper will be provided in class. Each paper will require thoughtful
application of the concepts you have learned. Papers will be typed, double-spaced, and about 3 too 5 pages in length
depending on the assignment.
Attendance:
Attendance is required. Attendance is vitally important for the understanding of the material and participation in the
group discussions Attendance will be taken on five random occasions throughout the semester. Four of these attendance
checks will count for 25 pts each for a total of 100 pts (10% of the final grade). Thus, if you are present for four of the
five random checks, you will receive full credit for attendance. The fifth will count as an extra 10 pt bonus for perfect
attendance. If you are out for official reasons, sick, or absent for any other prearranged reasons, you will be given an
attendance make-up assignment worth 25 pts. If you are absent for any other reason, you will not receive credit for that
day and no make-up will be provided.
Official absences are those, which occur when you are involved in an official activity of the college, i.e., field trips,
tournaments, athletic events, and present an official absence excuse. If you must miss a class for an official reason
present the written excuse to me before the absence. Other official absences include jury duty and subpoenas.
Appropriate documentation will be required. If prior arrangements have been made, you will not be penalized.
Religious/Cultural Holidays:
You have the right to observe major religious/cultural holidays without penalty. At least one week before the holiday,
you should submit a written statement that includes both the date of the holiday and the reason why class attendance is
impossible. Prior arrangements must be made. If prior arrangements have been made, you will not be penalized.
Illness:
If you are absent due to personal illness, or illness of a dependent, you must provide written documentation to that effect.
Acceptable documentation includes doctor’s note (on office letterhead), hospital record, or records from a recognized
medical/healthcare agency.
Extra Credit:
You will be given the option of up to four 10 pts extra credit assignments (40 pts total or 4% of final grade). Throughout
the semester there will be the possibility of writing 2-3 page (typed) reaction papers for outside lectures and
presentations, special TV programs, and other events that will be announced in-class.
Disabled Students:
Please let me know at the beginning of the semester if you have a physical or learning disability that may need
accommodations. The college will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students
should also notify Student Services of any special needs.
Cell phones & Pagers
I understand the importance of staying connected with family and others for emergencies, etc. Please turn all
communications devices to vibrate mode. If an emergency arises and you must answer a call, please step outside of the
class discreetly and without disturbing your fellow students. Emergencies are not calls from friends or family to find out
what time you will be finished with class or what you would like for dinner.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE SCHEDULE
Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group. All dates are tentative; we may
need to make adjustments to the schedule as the course progresses. All required readings are from Renzentti & Curran
unless otherwise indicated. Additional information about weekly topics/assignments will be available in class and from
the course website.

Part 1 - Sex, Gender & Sexuality

1 20- Introduction – Stereotypes, Archetypes, & Ch 1 E-mail introduction
Jan Crosstypes

Text only lecture notes

2 22- So what is Feminism? Ch 1
Jan NOW Statement
Text only lecture notes
3 27- Feminism Cont. Ch 2
Jan Some Definitions
4 29- Sex, gender & sexuality Ch 2 Assignment 1 DUE
Jan Stats on gender ambiguity
Text only lecture notes
5 3- Gender Cont. A Brief History of Sexual Identity
Feb
6 5- Sexuality None
Feb Film – “Max” from Female Misbehavior
Class Discussion
7 10- Evolutionary Psychology, Male dominance in the Ch 3 Assignment 2 DUE
Feb animal kingdom, Primatology & Mate selection Male Dominance in Animals
among homo sapien sapiens

Text only lecture notes

8 12- The Division of Labor & The Rise of Patriarchy The Sociology of Patriarchy
Feb
Text only lecture notes
9 17- Exam 1 Review Sheet
Feb
Part 2 - Gender Socialization
10 19- Boy Toys & the Pink Isle - Gender Ch 4
Feb Socialization Online Reading

Text only lecture notes

11 24- Sex Education Films from the 1950s Ch 4 Paper 1 DUE
Feb Note date changed
12 26- Gender & Educational Institutions Ch 5 Assignment 3 DUE
Feb Text only lecture notes
13 2- Class Discussion *Select a Reading Be ready to report
Mar on your reading
14 4- 20/20 Segment “Who Needs Boys” Ch 6
Mar Gender & Media *Body Image Facts
15 9- Gender & Media Continued Ch 6 Assignment 4 DUE
Mar
16 11- Gender & Language Ch 6
Mar
17 23- Exam 2 None
 Mar
Part 3 – Gender Stratification
18 25- Marriage, Partnership & Cohabitation - Ch 7
Mar Gender & Family
19 30- Snakes & Bulldogs - Family Violence *Nelson/ Brody
Mar
20 1- Labor Participation & the Earnings Gap Ch8 Assignment 5 DUE
Apr
21 6- Glass Ceilings & Glass Elevators & Minding Ch 8 Paper 2 Due
Apr the Kids - Gender & Work *Sidel
Glass Ceiling
22 8- Film on Gender Stratification TBA None
Apr
23 13- Poverty, Women & Welfare Reform *Abramovitz Assignment 6 DUE
Apr Poverty & Women
24 15- Gender & Crime Ch 9
Apr
25 20- Violence against Women and Sexual Rape Stats
Apr Minorities More on Rape
26 22- Film – Assault on Gay America Class Billy Jack Gaither Homophobia
Apr Discussion Questionnaire
27 27- Madam President - Gender & Politics Ch 10
Apr 1. Gender Gap in Election 2000
2. Fact Sheet
28 29- Debate –Sexual/Gender Diversity & the 1. Gays in the Military Assignment 7 DUE
Apr Military 2. Women in Military
3. Debunking Women in Military
Myths

29 4- Sex, Gender and Health Ch 12

May
30 6- Buff, Buxom & Beautiful - the *Social Bodies (from Cosmetic Surgery: Assignment 8
May Medicalization of Beauty The Cutting Edge of Commercial
Medicine in America)
31 11- Film –Survival of the Prettiest None Paper 3 Due
May Review for test
32 TBA Exam 3 Study