MCCCD Program Description

Gender and Society

Course: SOC212

First Term: 2024 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: A sociological exploration of the way culture shapes and defines gender in contemporary U.S. society. Major emphasis on gender roles, gender stereotypes, power and the relationship between gender and other intersecting social identities such as race, ethnicity, class, and sexual identity.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Distinguish between sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual identity. (I) 2. Describe the benefits and limitations of the gender binary on understandings of gender, gender identity, and sexual identity. (I) 3. Differentiate between types of sexism, prejudice, and discrimination. (I) 4. Evaluate normative gender roles. (I, II, IV, V) 5. Identify various research methods, methodologies, and feminist perspectives that provide alternatives to patriarchal approaches. (I, III, VI) 6. Evaluate common myths about gender differences, feminism, and feminists. (I, III, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX) 7. Critically evaluate systems of oppression within intersecting social identities such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, class, and sexual identity. (I, IV, V, VI, VII, IX) 8. Provide examples of cultural variability in expectations of gender categories and roles. (I, IV, V, VI, VII, IX) 9. Describe how US social institutions and social structures (e.g., education, economics, government, politics, family, media, religion, etc.) are affected by gender norms, identities, sexism, gender ideals, expectations, and opportunities. (I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX) 10. Describe the various aspects and goals of men’s movement(s) and masculinity. (I, VII, VIII) 11. Differentiate between sociological, biological and psychological perspectives on gender. (II, III, V) 12. Differentiate between micro-sociological analysis of the gendered facets of social interaction and macro-sociological analysis of institutional arrangements for gender. (III, IX) 13. Summarize the history of the women’s movement and the evolution of feminism and feminists through contemporary times. (V, VI, IX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction A. Key concepts 1. Sex 2. Intersex 3. Gender 4. Gender identity and expression 5. Sexual identity and expression 6. Sex binary and gender binary B. Inequalities 1. Sexism 2. Prejudice 3. Discrimination II. Similarities and differences between perspectives A. Sociological B. Psychological C. Biological III. Research A. Levels of analysis B. Methodologies C. Data analysis IV. Socialization A. Early childhood and gender identity B. Adolescence 1. Puberty 2. Sexual identity 3. Gender identity C. Adulthood and beyond D. Parenting E. Norms and roles regarding sexual identity and transgender issues V. Intersections of gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity VI. Women’s Movements and Feminism A. Alternatives to patriarchal approaches B. Myths about feminism and study of gender C. History of feminism D. Waves of Women’s Movement VII. Masculinity A. Impact and consequences of masculine socialization B. Redefining masculinity C. Masculine hierarchies VIII. Men’s Movements A. Response to feminist movement B. Men’s issues IX. Gender and Social Institutions A. Media and Communications B. Family and Relationships C. Workplace and Economy D. Education E. Religion and Spirituality F. Politics and Governance G. Health and Healthcare

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: October 24, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.