SEX
AND GENDER
SOCO
340
SPRING,
2002
Mesa
State College
Instructor: Gene H. Starbuck,
Ph.D.
Office: Lowell Heiny Hall, Rm. 414
Hours: 11:00-12:00 MWF; 1:00-1:50 TTh; or by appointment.
Phone: 248-1761
Fax: 248-1934
E-Mail: starbuck@mesastate.edu
Web Page: http://www.mesastate.edu/~starbuck
Texts:
The Gender of Sexuality (GoS). 1998. Pepper Schwartz and Virginia Rutter. Pine Forge Press.
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Sex and Gender (TS). 2002. Elizabeth Paul, ed. Duhkin/McGraw-Hill.
Course Description:
This course will explore sex and gender with an emphasis on human sexuality. One major theme will be the debate between biological determinist and social determinist perspectives. Another will deal with the meaning of "equality." Feminist analysis will be compared with other views. The last section of the course will be filled with debates on topics chosen by the students. Grading will be based on two position papers, three exams, and the debates.
Power Point Lectures:
|
2. Introduction to Human Sexuality: Sociobiology and Social Learning |
|
5. Gender at Mesa State College (Under construction) |
|
6. Sexual Harassment (Under construction) |
Schedule:
|
Dates |
Reading/Activity |
|
Mon Jan 21 |
TS: Preface, Part 1: Definitions and Boundaries GoS: Introduction, Preface (ix-xvii) |
|
Mon Jan 28 |
TS: Part 2: The Question of Difference GoS: Ch. 1: Sexual Desire and Gender |
|
Mon Feb 4 |
TS: Part 3: The Question of Difference GoS: Ch 2: Sexual Behavior and Gender; Ch 3: Uncommitted Sexual Relationships |
|
Mon Feb 11 |
GoS: Ch 4: Sex and Marriage; Ch 5: Politics and Gender |
|
Fri Feb 15 |
Paper One Due: Is "Nature" or "Nurture" the Most Important Determinant of Gender and Human Sexuality? Does Feminist Thought Provide an Adequate Answer to This Question? |
|
Mon Feb 18 |
Winter Break |
|
Wed Feb 27 |
Exam One |
|
Wed Mar 6 |
TS: Part 4: Sex, Gender, and Youth Library Reserve: TBA |
|
Wed Mar 13 |
TS: Part 5: All in the Family Library Reserve: TBA |
|
March 18-22 |
Spring Break |
|
Wed Mar 27 |
TS: Part 6: Transcending Gender Library Reserve: TBA |
|
Wed Apr 3 |
Paper Two Due: Is an Androgynous Society Possible? Is It Desirable? Can There be Equality Without It? |
|
Mon Apr 8 |
Exam Two |
|
Apr 15, 17, 19 |
Debate One |
|
Apr 22, 24, 26 |
Debate Two |
|
Ap 19; My 1, 3 |
Debate Three |
|
Mon May 6 |
Final Exam; 1:00-2:50 |
Papers
Students will write two position papers. Course readings and other scholarly sources will be used. Papers will be typewritten or word-processed. Formal English will be used. This includes proper grammar, correct spelling, complete sentences, no contractions, and no use of the first person. All quotes and paraphrases will be attributed to their sources. APA or ASA styles are preferred. A reference page will be included.
Papers not adequate in meeting the standards will be given two scores. One score will represent the points that the paper would earn in its present form. The other score will be the possible points if errors are corrected. The corrected paper must be turned in, along with the original, by the class period immediately following the return to the student of the original paper.
Late original papers will be penalized at the rate of ten points for each class period late. Late rewritten papers will not be accepted, and will earn the original score.
Papers count a possible 100 points each.
Exams
There will be three tests, including the cumulative final exam. They will primarily be essay, but might have some multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank. Each exam is worth a possible 50 points.
Grading for Debates:
For Active Participants (60 points possible)
Thirty possible team points will be awarded by the instructor on the basis of: organization, use of relevant social science, thoroughness, ability to deal with cross- examination and questions, full use of allotted time, polish, etc. All participants on the same team will receive the same number of points for this portion. Thirty additional possible points will come from peer evaluations done by all members of the team, including self, based on the contribution made to the team. The following scale should be used: A = 27-30; B = 24-26; C = 21-23; D = 18-20; F < 18. Evaluations higher than 25 or lower than 21 must be accompanied by written justification.
For Jurors (20 points possible)
This grade will be entirely based on a "verdict" due on the class period immediately following the conclusion of the debate. This should be a summary and discussion of the debate, with a decision about which side won, and why. The decision should be based on a dispassionate analysis of the information presented, not on personalities or personal views about the topic. These verdicts should be no longer than three double-spaced pages. While typing or word processing is strongly preferred, neat and legible handwriting will be accepted. All other standards discussed under "papers" will apply.
DEBATE/TRIAL FORMAT
Activity and Minutes, Day One
Opening Statement--Affirmative 4 minutes
Opening Statement--Negative 4 minutes
Presentation of Case--Affirmative 30 minutes
Cross-Examination--Negative 10 minutes
Activity and Minutes, Day Two
Presentation of Case--Negative 30 minutes
Cross-Examination--Affirmative 10 minutes
Non-Argumentative Questions--Jury, Remaining Time
Activity and Minutes, Day Three
Rebuttal Testimony--Negative 10 minutes
Cross-Examination--Affirmative 5 minutes
Rebuttal Testimony--Affirmative 10 minutes
Cross-Examination--Negative 5 minutes
Summary--Affirmative 5 minutes
Summary and Closing--Negative 8 minutes
Closing--Affirmative 3 minutes
Questions, Argument, Discussion--All, Remaining Time
Debate Rules
1. The judge is always right.
2. Rebuttal must be related to previous testimony.
3. Cross-examination may only cover points brought up by the person who is
being cross-examined, and may not be argumentative.
4. Testimony given in both "Presentation of Case" and "Rebuttal
Testimony" must be given in response to questions from
"attorney." Presenters should prepare themselves as "expert
witnesses."
5. No new evidence may be presented during summary or closing.
6. Audio-visual aides and printed handouts are allowed, but they cannot stand
on their own; someone must be willing to be cross-examined about them.
7. Testimony will include social science theory and research findings.
8. Burden of proof is on the affirmative side. Such proof will be determined
"by a preponderance of the evidence."
9. Either side may object if it thinks the above rules are being violated.
10. In case of questions or disagreements, see rule number one.
Grading Recap:
|
ItemPoints |
|
|
Exams (3 x 50) |
150 |
|
Papers (2 x 100) |
200 |
|
Debates (60 + 20 + 20) |
100 |
|
Total possible |
450 |
Letter grades will be determined on the following point system: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F < 60.
Expectations:
Students are expected to be in class, on time, throughout every class period.
Advanced approval from the instructor is required before bringing guests to class. Guests under the age of 18 are discouraged.
Students with special needs that are certified by the Educational Access Services office (248-1801) must notify the instructor by the third class period.
There are two sources of information for this class: the textbooks and lecture. They are independent but overlapping sources. Students will need to know both in order to do well in the course.
No active beepers or cell phones will be allowed in the classroom.
All normative expectations of classroom behavior will apply.
The instructor will be prepared for class, will return papers and exams as soon as possible, will be available during office hours, will answer e-mail messages promptly, and will minimize class disruptions.
Related Web Sites of Interest:
A Feminist Webpage at the University of Colorado.
A consultant on sexual harrassment.
A Men's Rights group in New Zealand.
A male view of Domestic Violence.
A feminist view of Domestic Violence
A good conduit to U. S. Government Data.
Links to Family Studies sites.
Return to Gene H. Starbuck's Homepage.
This page significantly revised January 8, 2002