Psychology of Gender (PSY 390)
Fall 2002

Course Description: Students conduct empirical research on gender as a biological, psychological, and social experience. Through reading, lecture, and discussion they have the opportunity to compare the results of their own investigations to those found in both classic and current studies of gender. Prerequisites: PSY 211 and a course in statistics (PSY 230, MATH 221, or ECON 221
In this class we will examine gender as a biological, psychological and social experience. We will do this not only through reading, lecture and discussion, but also through hands-on empirical research. You will need to be actively engaged with the course material as you compare what you observe to what others have discovered when they looked at the question of what it is to be a woman or a man.

Requirements:
Reading: Our text is Hunter A.E. & Forden, C. (2002). Readings in the Psychology of Gender. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. You are expected to complete the reading assignments prior to class.

Exams: There will be two open-book essay exams, each covering one-half of the course material. Each exam will include four short-answer questions worth 5 points each and two essay questions worth 15 points each. Questions will be drawn from class and text materials. At least three of the questions will be selected from the "Questions to Consider" and "Putting It All Together" questions in the text. Each exam is worth 50 points toward your final grade.

Portfolio: Your portfolio will be based on the projects in Rickabaugh, C.A. (1998). Sex and Gender. New York: McGraw-Hill. There is a project assigned for each week (see schedule) for a total of 12 projects. Follow the project directions in the book, answering all questions. If the project includes data collection, you should include all questionnaires, observation sheets, articles, etc. in your portfolio. Portfolios will be turned in three times during the semester, and will include the four projects assigned during that time period and an overall evaluation of the projects (see attached evaluation questions). Each project and evaluation is worth 10 points for a possible total of 150 points toward your final grade. The porfolio will be graded for correct understanding and thoughtful evaluation of the material.

Extra Credit: There will be occasional in-class extra-credit assignments worth 5 points each. You must be in class to do these assignments, and they will NOT be announced ahead of time, so if you miss a class, you may miss an extra-credit opportunity which cannot be made up.

Class Participation: I'm hoping we have a lot of lively discussion. Please share your opinions and experience!

Final Grade Totals:
          A      225 - 250           B      200 - 224           C      175 - 199          D      150 - 174           E      Below 150

Schedule:
8/26
Introduction
Read: Introduction
Project: 1.4

9/2
No Class - Labor Day

9/9
The Dialectical Model of Gender
Read: Reading 2
Project: 2.5

9/16
Researching Sex and Gender
Read: Reading 1
Project: 2.3

9/23
Gender Roles and Gender Identity
Read: Chapter 2
Project: 1.1 or 5.1

9/30
Gender and Cognition
Read: Reading 5
Project: 6.3
Portfolios Due (1.4, 2.5, 2.3, 1.1 or 5.1 and evaluation)

10/7
Gender and Communication
Read: Reading 6
Project: 4.1

10/14
Gender and Physical Health
Read: Chapter 5
Project: 11.1

10/21
Midterm Exam

10/28
Gender and Intimate Relationships
Read: Chapter 6
Project: 5.4 or 9.1 or 9.4

11/4
Gender and Sexuality
Read: Chapter 7
Project: 8.4 or 8.5
Portfolios Due (6.3, 4.1, 11.1, 5.4 or 9.1 or 9.4 and evaluation)

11/11
Gender and Violence
Read: Chapter 8
Project: 8.6 or 3

Portfolio Evaluation Questions
Psychology of Gender

1. Which of the four projects was the most valuable for you? Why was it the most valuabe?
2. Overall, do these four projects support or refute what we have learned in class and in the readings? Explain.
3. Which of the four projects is your best work? Justify your choice.

cforden@clarion.edu

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