Here's a copy of my grad syllabus for the sociology of gender. I've appended my handouts (they begin on approx. line 488) on what I expect in terms of papers and the discussion leading my students do. Joya Misra **************************************************************** Seminar in Sociology of Gender Sociology 838 University of Georgia Fall, 1994 Assistant Professor Joya Misra Office: Baldwin Hall., Room 324 Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:00-2:00 p.m., and by appointment Phone: 542-3190 (office), 549-2667 (home) Email: CMSJOYA@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU This seminar explores current literature on the sociology of gender, with an emphasis on contemporary American society and some comparison to other societies. We utilize and discuss feminist theoretical perspectives and methodologies in this course, but as there is a separate course offered on feminist theory, the primary focus is on empirical analyses of gender and society. Most works focus on womens experience, but there are some readings which incorporate the sociology of mens experience As a seminar, this course is based on active involvement of all participants in discussing the topics we cover. You should complete assigned readings before class, and be prepared to take part in class discussion. You will be in charge of leading discussion of the course material for one class session during the quarter, either alone or with another student. Organizing the class discussion involves presenting a critical review of the required readings for the week, raising specific questions and issues for the week, and relating the material to previous readings and class discussions. Discussion leaders should meet well in advance of the class session and plan their duties for the session. As a discussion leader, you must provide a list of questions to all students by the Friday before the class session you organize. These questions should help focus the other students as they do the readings, and provide a partial basis for class discussion. Because discussion is an integral part of this course, I want to ensure that the classroom is a safe place for frank and open discourse. Although many of the readings we cover are controversial, and we will have different viewpoints, I expect all of us to treat one another with respect. You will write two short papers responding to materials covered in the readings. In these papers, you will discuss and critically evaluate one of the assigned readings which you have not been in charge of organizing. These papers should be between 3-5 pages. The first is due October 11, the second November 1. You will also write a final course paper which addresses some issue related to gender. In this long paper, I would like to see you apply a theoretical perspective to a substantive area which interests you, and I encourage original research. However, in-depth reviews of a certain theoretical or substantive tradition are also acceptable. Final paper topics should be discussed with me and decided by the third week of October. Final papers are due December 2, 1994. I will provide you with more specific guidelines for both the short and long term papers later in the quarter. Grades are based on the following criteria. Participation in discussions and attendance have an effect on final grades. Organizing class discussion 20% First short paper 15% Second short paper 15% Final paper 50% Required Books: Cynthia Fuchs Epstein Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. Diana Scully Understanding Sexual Violence Rosabeth Canter Men and Women of the Corporation Kathryn Ward, ed. Women Workers and Global Restructuring Kristin Luker Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood Wendy Simonds Women and Self Help Culture: Reading Between the Lines Recommended Books: Rosemarie Tong Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction Joyce McCarl Nielsen Feminist Research Methods: Exemplary Readings in the Social Sciences There is also a packet of readings which you can have photocopied or you can read in the department. I will keep two copies of this packet in the sociology department. Copies of the course books will also be available for the two weeks preceding the class session in which they are used. Additional readings are listed for you to pursue if you are interested. For each class session, I will expect the class discussion leaders to be prepared to facilitate discussion for all of the required readings (NOT the additional readings). Class members are also expected to read all of the required readings, although I may point out certain chapters and articles which are particularly important. Week of September 19: Feminist Theory Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. Introduction: Sex and the Social Order. Pp. 1-16 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Rosemarie Tong. 1989. Liberal Feminism, Radical Feminism on Gender and Sexuality, and Socialist Feminism. Pp. 11-38, 95- 138, and 173-193 in Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction. Boulder: Westview Press. Patricia Hill Collins. 1990. Defining Black Feminist Thought. Pp. 19-40 in Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York: Routledge. Additional Readings: Zillah Eisenstein (ed.) 1979. Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for Socialist Feminism. New York: Monthly Review Press. Dorothy Smith. 1979. A Sociology for Women. Pp. 135-187 in The Prism of Sex, edited by Julia Sherman and Evelyn Torton Beck. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. Janet Saltzman Chafetz. 1980. Toward a Macro-Level Theory of Sexual Stratification and Gender Differentiation. Pp. 103-123 in Scott G. McNall and Gary N. Howes (eds.) Current Perspectives in Sociological Theory, Volume 1. Greenwich, CT: JAI Press. Adrienne Rich. 1980. Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence. Signs. 5(Summer): 631-660. Rae Lesser Blumberg. 1984. A General Theory of Gender Stratification. Pp. 23-101 in Randall Collins (ed.) Sociological Theory. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. bell hooks. 1984. Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. Boston: South End Press. Judith Stacey and Barrie Thorne. 1985. The Missing Feminist Revolution in Sociology. Social Problems. 32:301-316. Dorothy Smith. 1987. The Everyday World as Problematic: A Feminist Sociology. Boston: Northeastern University Press. Deborah King. 1988. Multiple Jeopardy, Multiple Consciousness: The Context of a Black Feminst Ideology. Signs. 14:42-72. Week of September 26: Feminist Methodology Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. A Question of Method: The Sociology of the Scientific Analysis of Sex and Gender. Pp. 17-45 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Joyce McCarl Nielsen. 1990. Introduction. Pp. 1-37 in Joyce McCarl Nielsens Feminist Research Methods: Exemplary Readings in the Social Sciences. Boulder: Westview Press. Evelyn Fox Keller. 1990. Gender and Science. Pp. 41-57 in Joyce McCarl Nielsens Feminist Research Methods: Exemplary Readings in the Social Sciences. Boulder: Westview Press. Marcia Westkott. 1990. Feminist Criticism of the Social Sciences. Pp. 58-68 in Joyce McCarl Nielsens Feminist Research Methods: Exemplary Readings in the Social Sciences. Boulder: Westview Press. Judith A. Cook, and Mary Margaret Fonow. 1990. Knowledge and Womens Interests: Issues of Epistemology and Methodology in Feminist Sociological Research. Pp. 69-93 in Joyce McCarl Nielsens Feminist Research Methods: Exemplary Readings in the Social Sciences. Boulder: Westview Press. Additional Readings: Maxine Baca Zinn. 1979. Field Research in Minority Communities: Ethical, Methodological,and Political Observations by an Insider. Social Problems. 27:209-219. Helen Roberts (ed.) 1981. Doing Feminist Research. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. Joan Acker, Kate Berry, and Jake Esseveld. 1983. Objectivity and Truth: Problems in Doing Feminist Research. Womens Studies International Forum. 6:423-435. Arlene Kaplan Daniels. 1985.Feminist Perspectives on Social Life and Social Science. In Marcia Millman and Rosabeth Moss Kanters (eds.) Another Voice: Feminist Perspectives on Social Life and Social Science. New York: Doubleday. Linda Grant, Kathryn Ward, and Xue Lan Rong. 1987. Is There an Association between Gender and Methods in Sociological Research? American Sociological Review. 52:856-862. Sandra Harding. 1987. Is There a Feminist Method? In Sandra Hardings (ed.) Feminism and Methodology. Bloomington, IN: University of Indiana Press. Marjorie Devault. 1990. Talking and Listening from Womens Standpoint: Feminist Strategies for Interviewing and Analysis. Social Problems. 37:96-114. Kathryn Anderson, Susan Armitage, Dana Jack,and Judith Wittner. 1990. Beginning Where We Are: Feminist Methodology in Oral History. Pp. 94-112 in Joyce McCarl Nielsens Feminist Research Methods: Exemplary Readings in the Social Sciences. Boulder: Westview Press. Shulamith Reinharz. 1992. Feminist Methods in Social Research. New York: Oxford Books. Week of October 3: Biosocial Theories, Personality, and Psychoanalytic Theories Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. The Bio-Social Debate and Its All in the Mind: Personality and Social Structure. Pp. 46-98 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Alice Rossi. 1984. Gender and Parenthood: An Evolutionary Perspective. American Sociological Review. 49:1-19. February. Toni Bernay. 1986. Reconciling Nurturance and Aggression: A New Feminine Identity. Pp. 51-79 in Toni Bernay and Dorothy Cantors (eds.) The Psychology of Todays Woman. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Rosemarie Tong. 1989. Psychoanalytic Feminism. Pp. 139-172 in Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction. Boulder: Westview Press. Nancy Chodorow. 1983. Gender Personality and the Reproduction of Mothering. Pp. in The Reproduction of Mothering. Berkeley: University of California Press. Additional Readings: Nancy Chodorow. 1979. Mothering, Male Dominance, and Capitalism. Pp. 83-106 in Zillah Eisensteins (ed.) Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for Socialist Feminism. New York: Monthly Review Press. Carol Gilligan. 1982. In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Womens Development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Ruth Bleier. 1984. Science and Gender: A Critique of Biology and Its Theories on Women. Toronto: Pergamon Press. Toni Bernay and Dorothy Cantor (eds.). 1986. The Psychology of Todays Woman. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Barbara Risman. 1987. Intimate Relations from a Micro-Structural Perspective: Men Who Mother. Gender and Society. 1(March):1-12. Nancy Chodorow. 1989. Feminism and Psychoanalytic Theory. New Haven: Yale University Press. Miriam Johnson. 1989. Strong Mothers, Weak Wives. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. Week of October 10: Social Control and Sexual Violence Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. Social Control: Law, Public Policy, Force, and the Threat of Force. Pp. 118-135 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Linda Gordon. 1992. Family Violence, Feminism, and Social Control. Pp. 262-286 in in Barrie Thorne and Marilyn Yaloms (eds.) Rethinking the Family: Some Feminist Questions. Boston: Northeastern University Press. Diana Scully. 1990. Understanding Sexual Violence. Boston: Unwin Hyman. Catharine MacKinnon. 1989. Rape: On Coercion and Consent. Pp. 171-183 in Towards a Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Angela Davis. 1983. Rape, Racism, and the Myth of the Black Rapist. Pp. 172-201 in Women, Race, and Class. New York: Vintage Books. Additional Readings: Tim Beneke. 1982. Men on Rape. New York: St. Martins Press. Angela Davis. 1985. Violence Against Women and the Ongoing Challenge of Racism. Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. Elizabeth Stanko. 1985. Intimate Intrusions. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. Susan Griffin. 1986. Rape: The Politics of Consciousness. New York: Harper and Row. Linda Gordon. 1988. Heroes of Their Own Lives: The Politics and History of Family Violence. New York: Viking Press. Roushan Jahan. 1988. Hidden Wounds, Visible Scars. Pp. 199-227 in Bina Agarwals (ed.) Structures of Patriarchy: The State, Community, and the Household. London: Zed Books Ltd. Liz Kelly. 1988. Surviving Sexual Violence. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Robin Warshaw. 1988. I Never Called It Rape. New York: Harper and Row. Demie Kurz. 1989. Social Science Perspectives on Wife Abuse: Current Debates and Future Directions. Gender and Society. December. 489- 505. Wayne Ewing. 1992. The Civic Advocacy of Violence. Pp. 358-364 in Michael S. Kimmel and Michael A. Messners (eds.) Mens Lives. New York: Macmillan. Week of October 17: Women and Work Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. Distinctions of Gender in the Social System: The Sociological Approach and The Structure of Work and the Economic Pyramid. Pp. 99-117 and 136-164 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Rosabeth Moss Kanter. 1977. Men and Women of the Corporation. NY: Basic Books. Evelyn Nakano Glenn. 1991. Racial Ethnic Womens Labour: The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Class Oppression. Pp. 173-208 in Rae Lesser Blumbergs (ed.) Gender, Family, and Economy: the Triple Overlap. Newbury Park, England: Sage. Jessie Bernard. 1992. The Good-Provider Role: Its Rise and Fall. Pp. 203-221 in Michael S. Kimmel and Michael A. Messners (eds.) Mens Lives. New York: Macmillan. Additional Readings: Louise Tilly and Joan Scott. 1978. Women, Work, and Family. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. Heidi Hartmann. 1979. Capitalism, Patriarchy, and Job Segregation by Sex. Pp. 206-247 in Zillah Eisensteins (ed.) Capitalist Patriarchy and the Case for Socialist Feminism. New York: Monthly Review Press. Arlie Hochschild. 1983. The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling. Berkeley: University of California Press. Paula England. 1984. Socioeconomic Explanations for Job Segregation. Pp. 28-46 in Helen Remicks Comparable Worth and Wage Discrimination. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Kathleen Gerson. 1985. Hard Choices. Berkeley: University of California Press. Shelley A. Smith and Marta Tienda. 1988. The Doubly Disadvantaged: Women of Color in the U.S. Labor Force. Pp. 61-80 in Ann Stromberg and Shirley Harkess Women Working: Theories and Facts in Perspective. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company. Patricia Hill Collins. 1990. Work, Family, and Black Womens Oppression. Pp. 43-66 in Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York: Routledge. Paula England and Irene Browne. 1992. Trends in Womens Economic Status. Sociological Perspectives. 35:17-51. Barbara Reskin and Irene Padavic. 1994. Women and Men at Work. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge. Week of October 24: Women in the Global Economy Kathryn Ward. 1990. Women Workers and Global Restructuring. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Ronnie J. Steinberg and Alice Cook. 1988. Policies Affecting Womens Employment in Industrial Countries. Pp. 307-328 in Ann Stromberg and Shirley Harkess Women Working: Theories and Facts in Perspective. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company. Cynthia Enloe. 1989. Blue Jeans and Bankers. Pp. 151-176 in Bananas, Beaches, and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics. Berkeley: University of California Press. Additional Readings: Ester Boserup. 1970. Womens Role in Economic Development. New York: St. Martins Press. Peggy Reeves Sanday. 1981. The Decline of the Womens World: the Effect of Colonialism. Pp. 135-160 in Female Power and Male Dominance: On the Origins of Sexual Inequality. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Holter, Harriet (ed.) 1984. Patriarchy in a Welfare State. Oslo, Norway: Universitietsforlaget. Sue Ellen M. Charlton, Jana Everett, and Kathleen Staudt (eds.). 1989. Women, the State, and Development. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. Phyllis Moen. 1989. Working Parents: Transformations in Gender Roles and Public Policies in Sweden. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. Irene Tinker (ed.). 1990. Persistent Inequalities. New York: Oxford University Press. Week of October 31: Poverty, Politics, and Policy Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. Women and the Political Process. Pp. 165-186 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Virginia Sapiro. 1990. The Gender Basis of American Social Policy. Pp. 36-54 in Linda Gordons (ed.)Women, the State, and Welfare. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. Ruth Sidel. 1992, Who are the Poor and A Call for U.S. Family Policy. Pp.1-26 and 189-209 in Women and Children Last.. New York: Penguin Books. Diane Pearce. 1978. The Feminization of Poverty. Urban and Social Change Review. 24:28-35. Mary Jo Bane. 1986. Household Composition and Poverty. Pp. 209- 231 in S. H. Danziger and D. H. Weinbergs (eds.) Fighting Poverty: What Works and What Doesnt. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Gwendolyn Mink. 1990. The Lady and the Tramp: Gender, Race, and the Origins of the American Welfare State. pp. 92-121 in Linda Gordons (ed.)Women, the State, and Welfare. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. Additional Readings: Irene Diamond (ed). 1983. Families, Politics, and Public Policy: A Feminist Dialogue on Women and the State. New York: Longman. Sheldon Danziger and Daniel Weinberg (eds.) 1986. Fighting Poverty: What Works and What Doesnt. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Linda Gordon. 1990.Women, the State, and Welfare. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press. Gisela Bock and Pat Thane (eds.). 1991. Maternity and Gender Policies: Women and the Rise of the Welfare State, 1880-1950. London: Routledge. Maxine Baca Zinn. 1992. Family, Race, and Poverty in the Eighties. Pp. 71-90 in Barrie Thorne and Marilyn Yaloms (eds.) Rethinking the Family: Some Feminist Questions. Boston: Northeastern University Press. Seth Koven and Sonya Michel (eds.) 1993. Mothers of a New World: Maternalist Politics and the Origins of Welfare States. New York: Routledge. Week of November 7: Politics of Abortion Kristin Luker. 1984. Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood. Berkeley: University of California press. Catharine MacKinnon. 1989. Abortion: On Public and Private Pp. 171-183 in Towards a Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Angela Davis. 1983. Racism, Birth Control, and Reproductive Rights. Pp. 202-221 in Women, Race, and Class. New York: Vintage Books. Additional Readings: James Mohr. 1978. Abortion in America: The Origins and Evolution of National Policy. New York: Oxford University Press. Rosalind Petchesky. 1984. Abortion and Womans Choices: The State, Sexuality, and Reproductive Freedom. Boston: Longman. Mary Ann Glendon. 1987. Abortion and Divorce in Western Law: American Failures, European Challenges. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University and the Politics of Empowerment. New York: Routledge. Patricia Spallone. 1987. Made to Order: The Myth of Reproductive and Genetic Progress. New York: Pergamon Press. Week of November 14: Women and Men in the Family Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. Reconceiving the Family. Pp. 187- 214 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Arlie Hochschild with Ann Machung. 1993. The Family Myth of the Traditional: Frank and Carmen Delacorte and A Scarce Economy of Gratitude: Seth and Jessica Stein. Pp. 20-38 in Kenneth Winson and Mary Jo Banes (eds.) Gender and Public Policy: Cases and Comments. Boulder: Westview Press. Kath Weston. 1992. The Politics of Gay Families. Pp. 119-139 in Barrie Thorne and Marilyn Yaloms (eds.) Rethinking the Family: Some Feminist Questions. Boston: Northeastern University Press. Patricia Hill Collins. 1990. Black Women and Motherhood. Pp. 115-137 in Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York: Routledge. Ralph LaRossa. 1992. Fatherhood and Social Change. Pp. 521-535 in Michael S. Kimmel and Michael A. Messners (eds.) Mens Lives. New York: Macmillan. Additional Readings: Heidi Hartmann. 1981. The Family as the Locus of Gender, Class, and Political Struggle: The Example of Housework. Signs. 6:3. Francesca Cancian. 1985. Gender Politics: Love and Power in Private and Pubic Spheres. Pp. 253-264 in Alice Rossis Gender and the Life Course. New York: Aldine. Lenore J. Weitzman. 1985. The Divorce Revolution: The Unexpected Social and Economic Consequences for Women and Children in America. New York: Free Press. Arlie Hochschild with Anne Machung. 1989. The Second Shift. New York: Penguin Books. Susan Moller Okin. 1989. Justice, Gender, and the Family. New York: Basic Books. Ralph LaRossa et al. 1991. The Fluctuating Image of the 20th Century American Father. Journal of Marriage and Family. November. Pp. 987-97. Immanuel Wallerstein and Joan Smith. 1991. Households as an Institution of the World-Economy. Pp. 225-242 in in Rae Lesser Blumbergs (ed.) Gender, Family, and Economy: the Triple Overlap. Newbury Park, England: Sage. Barbara Katz Rothman. 1992. Fathering as a Relationship. Pp. 535-539 in Michael S. Kimmel and Michael A. Messners (eds.) Mens Lives. New York: Macmillan. Week of November 29: Communication, Culture, and Everyday Life Cynthia Fuchs Epstein. 1988. Symbolic Segregation: Gender Differences in Everyday Behavior, Communication, and Social Customs. Pp. 215-231 in Deceptive Distinctions: Sex, Gender, and the Social Order. New Haven: Yale University Press. Wendy Simonds. 1992. Women and Self-Help Culture: Reading Between the Lines. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. Additional Readings: Lucy Komisar. 1971. The Image of Women in Advertising. Pp. 304-317 in Vivian Gornick and Barbara K. Morans (eds.) Women in Sexist Society Studies in Power and Powerlessness. New York: Basic Books. Jack W. Sattel. 1976. The Inexpressive Male: Tragedy or Sexual Politics? Social Problems. 23:469-477. Nancy M. Henley. 1977. Body Politics: Power, Sex, and Nonverbal Communication. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Peter Kollock, Philip Blumstein, and Pepper Schwartz. 1985. Sex and Power in Interaction: Conversational Priviledges and Duties. American Sociological Review. 50:34-46. Chapkis, Wendy. 1986. Beauty Secrets: Women and the Politics of Appearance. Boston: South End Press. Deborah Tannen. 1990. You Just Dont Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. New York: Ballantine Books. Julia T. Wood. 1994. Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing. ***************************************************************** Leading Class Discussion SOC 838: Seminar in Sociology of Gender You will be in charge of leading discussion of the course material for one class session during the quarter, either alone or with another student. Each person will be in charge of organizing the class meeting and discussion for an entire Tuesday or Thursday class period. Discussion leaders should meet well in advance of the class session and plan their duties for the session. You should also let the class know specifically which material they should read for each class sessions. Organizing the class discussion involves presenting a critical review of the required readings for the week, raising specific questions and issues for the week, and relating the material to previous readings and class discussions. I do not want you simply to summarize the material, but to respond to it critically. As a discussion leader, you must provide a list of questions to all students by the Friday before the class session you organize. These questions should help focus the other students as they do the readings, and provide a partial basis for class discussion. For example, if covering liberal feminism, some questions might be: What was the power of Betty Friedan's conception of the feminine mystique? What did Friedan suggest as a solution for the problem of the feminine mystique? To what problem did this lead? What did she suggest as a solution of the feminist mystique? I will evaluate discussion-leading using the following criteria: Is the class session organized well? - Relates material to previous course readings - Provides internal summaries and transitions - Summarizes and distills main points at end of class - Paces class session appropriately - Appears well-prepared Does the discussion leader present the material well? - Speaks audibly and clearly - Communicates enthusiasm Is the discussion leader credible in her role? - Shows competent understanding of the material - Able to admit insufficient knowledge - Shows respectful for others viewpoints/criticisms How is the substantive content discussed? - Integrates text material into discussion - Presents views other than her own - Explains difficult terms - Presents background information for ideas How is the discussion leaders rapport with the other class members? - Encourages participation - Corrects misunderstandings of material - Encourages class members to respond to one another - Requires class members thought and participation - Solicits and responds constructively to class members opinions - Treats members equitably - Acknowledges different approaches - Recognizes when others are confused ******************************************** Sociology of Gender Guidlines for Short Papers Two short papers responding to materials covered in the readings are required for this course. In these papers, you will discuss and critically evaluate one of the assigned readings for which you have not been in charge of organizing discussion. You may think of these short papers as critical reviews of the material. Although you can choose either a book, article, or group of articles to focus on in your short papers, reading book reviews in Contemporary Sociology, the American Journal of Sociology, or Gender and Society may give you an idea of the style of paper I am looking for. I am attaching two book reviews from Gender and Society which may prove helpful. Basically, a critical evaluation of the material should consist of a brief summary of the author(s) main thesis, a paragraph or two placing this author within the larger context of the literature, and a critical evaluation of the arguments the author makes. You should evaluate the material in terms of the authors ability to present well-supported, sound arguments. These papers should be between 3-5 pages. The first is due October 11, the second November 1. In my evaluation of your writing for these short papers I will consider: clarity of topic (is it well conceptualized?), whether the topic is addressed in a systematic and convincing manner, writing style, technical writing flaws, and demonstrated theoretical understanding of material. *********************************************************** Sociology of Gender Guidelines for Final Papers The major requirement for this class is the final course paper. In this paper, you should do systematic research on a topic which relates to the sociology of gender. You may either engage in original research on this topic, or write a detailed review of the literature and/or research proposal in the area of your topic. You may consider using your course paper as a precursor to your practicum paper/thesis or dissertation proposal. You should think of the paper as something that you will eventually send to a journal for publication. For this paper, you will research some topic relating to gender relations. As we have students from many fields in this class, the only clear stipulation that I will make about the paper is that you relate the topic you study to the theoretical paradigms that weve discussed. I believe that sociology, as a discipline, is basically about learning how to interpret facts through some sort of theoretical framework. I have attached the Gender & Society style manual and an article by Howard Becker entitled Freshman English for Graduate Students: A Memoir and Two Theories. The style manual should help you with referencing technique and other technical matters, and may be particularly useful because Gender & Societywould be an appropriate place to send your paper after completion. The Becker article should help you think about one of the most important steps in the writing process -- revision. The issues I will focus on when grading the final papers follows: (1) In the introductory section of the paper, you should clearly state your topic (in the form a question you answer, a hypothesis you test, an argument you advance) This introduction should also capture the readers interest and her to continue reading the text. Another function of the introduction is to provide a clear explanation for why studying this topic is important. A friend of mine calls this passing the so what test. (2) In any research paper, a review of the relevant literature is necessary. You must place your work in its context in a meaningful way. In addition, your paper should be theoretically adequate and clear. Whether you do grounded theory or hypothesis testing, you should employ and indicate an understanding of the relevant theories you utilize. (3) Where applicable, the methodological adequacy of the paper will be considered. Do you employ the correct methodological techniques? Are you aware of possible shortcomings in the data analysis? I will take into account differences in the amount of methodological training in determining this part of the grade. I do strongly encourage you to meet with me and discuss your methodology, however. (4) The conclusion should briefly summarize the findings of the paper, point out any serious flaws and implications of the research, and suggest future research based on this work.The conclusion should also restate why this work is important. (5) The papers contribution to the field will also be considered. Does it increase our knowledge about gender stratification, for example, or suggest policies which might reduce stratification, or resolve inconsistencies in the field, or suggest new research directions? At this stage, a research paper which only relates the findings of previous research is inappropriate. If you write a literature review for the term paper, you still need to do a review which is original and useful. (6) Writing style is important. Journal reviewers are much more positive when they are presented with a paper which is clearly and coherently written. A research paper should convey the ideas that you wish to present in a clear and convincing manner. Irrelevant information should be eliminated, and information which is not crucial to the argument should be footnoted. The paper also needs to flow clearly, relating one paragraph to the next, and providing transitions between paragraphs and sections. A detailed outline of the paper actually helps your writing. (7) Revision is the key difference between a B and an A paper. Two papers can be well conceptualized, theoretically sophisticated, and methodologically well-executed, and yet if the first was never revised, it may be noticeably inferior to the second. The Becker article should make clear how important revision is to good writing. Try to finish the paper a week or so before it is due. Take a few days to find unclear passages in the paper, problems with grammar, dense sentences which need to be unpacked. I would like you to meet with me by October 21, and discuss your topic for the paper. Soon after (or before) the meeting, I would like you to give me a one paragraph (typed) description of your topic. By November 8, you need to give me a detailed outline for your paper. I have attached outlines my undergraduate students have turned in for their papers. You are welcome and encouraged to give me a draft version of your paper before the final paper is due. I will be happy to make comments on your draft. Final papers are due December 2, 1994. Most journals ask authors to limit their papers to 25-30 pages, so I will ask you to write between 15-25 pages. CMSJOYA@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU *********************************************************************** Assistant Professor Department of Sociology University of Georgia Baldwin Hall Athens, Georgia 30602 (706)542-3190